Competency Eight
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Intervention is the process of coming to a mutually agreed-upon plan and seeing that plan through with the client. This step is the meat and potatoes of social work. We are to use best practices to prevent any undue harm to our clients, whether that is an individual, family, group, organization, or community. I have made an effort to hold my clients accountable for their own goals and by helping them see those goals through. I work with them to determine where they want to be, and we discuss ways in which they can make that happen. I make it very clear to my clients that I will work as hard as they do to get them to where they need to be.
Practice Behaviors
8.1: Implement clinical evidence-based interventions with individuals, families, and/or groups.
Field Evidence: As a case manager with the EPI, there was a constant need for reevaluation of interventions with my clients. Things could very quickly drastically change from week to week or even day to day with my clients and by implementing motivational interviewing skills, I was able to address the issues that were most important on a day-to-day basis. The plan that I used with my client interactions can be found at the link below.
Academic Evidence: In my course, Advanced Clinical Practice: Clinical Interventions I was required to practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with my classmates as pseudo clients demonstrating the skills I’ve learned. I have included my intervention video below for review.
8.2: Integrate macro-level evidence-based strategies with organizations and/or communities.
Field Evidence: As part of my EPI work, I wrote an MOU to incorporate evidence-based practices through social work case management with the CHA Housing First program. This MOU is an essential aspect of success for the future of both the SAU School of Social work and the Chattanooga Housing Authority program. Please view my MOU below.
Academic Evidence: My course Advanced Administrative Practice: Administrative and Leadership Skills required us to create a non-profit that uses the best evidence-based practices to help those individuals experiencing homelessness. Friends Helping Friends is a complete proposal for an agency including all necessary aspects including finances, evaluations, and services provided. Please view the proposal below.
Friends Helping Friends Proposal
Skills Used: While completing these practice behaviors, I demonstrated professional oral and written communication, therapeutic skills such as empathy, active listening, and clarification, and flexibility skills.
Knowledge Presented: I have been able to put into practice the knowledge learned in both my Advanced Clinical Practice courses through the demonstration of this competency. Using techniques such as diads, emotional temperature checks, creating rules and boundaries, and explaining roles were much needed in the demonstration of this competency. I also was able to apply administrative knowledge learned in my Advanced Administrative Practice course by creating document proposals for future organizations.
Values Presented: While completing this competency, social work values were in place. By placing the importance on the dignity and worth of a person, I was able to have successful completion of therapy sessions with my pseudo client as shown above. I was also able to practice integrity by creating an MOU contract between SAU and CHA.
Cognitive Processes: I was able to validate (evaluation domain) my client’s feelings during my therapy session as demonstrated above. I also was able to propose (synthesis domain) an MOU and organizational proposal to benefit the needs of clients in the Chattanooga area.
Affective Processes: I was able to integrate (organizational domain) therapeutic skills while working with my pseudo client. I also demonstrated review (characterization domain) of policies and procedures when creating an MOU and the Friends Helping Friends proposal in my course.
Theoretical Foundation: The Butter Effect of Social Support Theory states that people experience less stress when they feel more supported. This applies to this competency because the intervention stage is all about supporting our clients (macro, mezzo, or micro) on their level and readjusting as needed to help them best.