Evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
As a social work professional, I understand that evaluation is a continual part of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In order to better advance social work practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness, I recognize the importance of evaluating both the processes and the outcomes with evidence-based strategies. Using the theories of human behavior and the social environment, I will work to critically evaluate outcomes with diverse clients and constituencies. I understand both quantitative and qualitative methods used in evaluations, as well as multidisciplinary frameworks in analyzing findings to improve practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
“What good is a great man who has made his mark upon history? Every time, if we think far enough, he is a man who has look through the confusion of the moment and has seen the moral issue involved, he is a man who has refused to have his sense of justice distorted; he has listened to his conscience until conscience becomes a trumpet call to like-minded men, so that they gather about him, and together, with mutual purpose and mutual aid, they make a new period in history”. Jane Addams
PRACTICE BEHAVIORS:
9A: Select evidence-based evaluation strategies according to their efficacy with specific client systems.
Academic Evidence: For my Advanced Clinical Practice II class, I led a pseudo-therapeutic group for individuals with panic disorder and wrote a transcription paper that evaluates every word that I said in a 35 minute session. This evaluation helped me to see how I could have said things better and responded in a more therapeutic manner in order to deepen the focus of the group session. I learned about the cognitive behavioral theory behind panic disorder and how to use CBT in working with clients with this disorder. Group leadership skills are demonstrated in this assignment, as well as showing self-awareness in evaluating myself. I gained knowledge in how to lead a group, how to plan the agenda, and how to deal with certain problem behaviors that can arise in a group session. The NASW values of competence and the importance of human relationships are evident in this assignment.
Field Evidence: I evaluated the cultural competency of social workers at my agency plus two other hospice agencies. This involved them completing and submitting questionnaires on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in working with diverse hospice patients. I used writing skills in creating the survey and speaking skills in conducting the session.
Other Evidence: In my Advance Clinical Practice I class, we studied cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With a pseudo client I made a video demonstrating my CBT leadership skills, and afterwards I evaluated the entire session. The evaluation paper that I wrote, based on a transcription of the CBT session, analyzes what I did well and what I could have done better as an autonomous cognitive behavior therapist.
9B: Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of practice outcomes across systems.
Academic Evidence: At the end of my Advanced Clinical Groups class, I completed an evaluation of myself leading a therapeutic group. This self-evaluation helped me to discern (affective level: receiving) my progress in this type of social work practice and summarized areas that I needed improvement. A knowledge of self-awareness was gained from this exercise, and I was challenged to improve in deepening the focus of a therapeutic group.
Field Evidence: I evaluated my special project on Diversity in Death & Dying with my field instructor- both in regards to choice of wording in communicating ways that different cultural groups may approach and handle the dying process and in conducting an intervention with African American pastors in Chattanooga to address low hospice utilization rates nationally and locally by African Americans in general. I sought her input and here are some of her comments from this evaluation,coming from a theoretical position of the strengths perspective. This experience increased my competence, a NASW value, in working in the field of hospice social work.
Other Evidence: In my Advanced Administration class, I wrote evaluations for the different staff member positions, as well as a plan for evaluating volunteers for a nonprofit proposal plan. Writing skills were used in this assignment.
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