Competency 1:

Demonstrate
Ethical and
Professional
Behavior
Melissa Murdock

Behavior 1

Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making,
ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.

have and will demonstrate this

behavior by keeping the social work
values, holding to confidentiality, and
ask my agency supervisor to clarify any
areas that I am unsure about.

Behavior 2

Use reflection and self-regulation to manage

personal values and maintain
professionalism in practice situations.
I

will continue to practice this behavior

by dressing professional,
communicating professionally and being
respectful in every aspect at the agency.

Behavior 3

Demonstrate professional demeanor in

behavior; appearance; and oral, written,
and electronic communication.
I

will dress in a professional manner and

communicate professionally whether it
be through speech, email or telephone.

Behavior 4

Use technology ethically and appropriately

to facilitate practice outcomes.

When

prompted, I will use either phone

or computer for agency purposes.

Behavior 5

Use supervision and consultation to guide

professional judgment and behavior.

At

the agency I will seek advice from my

field supervisor whenever I do not feel
comfortable with a decision or action.

Competency
2:

Engage Diversity
and Difference in
Practice

Behavior 1

Apply and communicate understanding of the

importance of diversity and difference in shaping life
experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and
macro levels.

will practice cultural competency, and

respect every client and employee
regardless of race, class etc.

Behavior 2

Present themselves as learners and engage

clients and constituencies as experts of
their own experiences.
I

will be open to learning through

practice while giving value to the
opinions of clients and showing
empathy.

Behavior 3

Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to

manage the influence of personal biases
and values in working with diverse clients
and constituencies
I

will give every client the equal respect

they deserve while leaving all biases
behind to practice successfully at the
agency.

Competency 3:
Advance Human
Rights and Social,
Economic, and
Environmental
Justice

Behavior 1

Apply understanding of social, economic,

and environmental justice to advocate for
human rights at the individual and system
levels.
I

will listen to, and become knowledgeable

of the concerns regarding individuals in
the facility whose voices are not heard,
and come up with a plan to advocate on
their behalf.

Behavior 2

Engage in practices that advance social,

economic, and environmental justice.
I

will aid the individuals of the facility in

writing letters to Congress concerning job
opportunities for ex-felons and substance
abusers.

Competency 4:
Engage in
practiceinformed
research and
researchinformed
practice

Behavior
1

Use practice experience and theory to

inform scientific inquiry and research
I

will learn to use what I observe to

conduct further research for a better
understanding of practice.

Behavior 2

Apply critical thinking to engage in

analysis of quantitative and qualitative
research methods and research
findings
I

will conduct research and gain data that

will aid with group sessions and make
them more successful.

Behavior 3

Use and translate research evidence to

inform and improve practice, policy
and service delivery
I

will use research I have gathered

to improve group sessions, and aid
with individual sessions.

Competency 5:
Engage in Policy
Practice

Behavior 1

Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that
impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services.

I will become informed of social policy

on each level that effects substance
abuse, poverty, and single mothers.

Behavior 2

Assess how social welfare and

economic policies impact the delivery
of and access to social services.
I

will build knowledge on economic

policies that effect the individuals of the
facility, and listen to their point of view
concerning policies.

Behavior 2

Apply critical thinking to analyze,

formulate, and advocate for policies
that advance human rights and
social, economic, and environmental
justice.
I

will use critical thinking to come up

with ideas to advocate for individuals at
the facility that can possibly make
policies more effective.

Competency 6:
Engage with individuals,
families, groups, organizations
and communities

Behavior 1

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-inenvironment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage
with clients and constituencies.

will engage with clients using the

knowledge that I have gained from
being in the environment.

Behavior 2

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal

skills to effectively engage diverse clients and
constituencies.

will use empathy in individual sessions

with clients who are diverse so they are
comfortable.I will also engage with eye
contact and other body language to let
them know I am listening.

Competency
7:
Assess
Individuals,
Families, Groups,
Organizations,
and
Communities

Behavior 1

Collect and organize data, and apply critical

thinking to interpret information from clients
and constituencies.
During

group I will take notes and

gather data and look them over to aid
me in successful practice.

Behavior 2

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social

environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions
with clients and constituencies.

will use the data I've collected to

conduct research in order to be effective
with interventions.

Behavior 3

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical
assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies;

will work with my field supervisor and

other staff to assist clients with their
case plans and client goals.

Behavior 4

Select appropriate intervention strategies based on

the assessment, research knowledge, and values
and preferences of clients and constituencies.
With

the research I have gathered, and

notes collected during sessions, I will
decide on appropriate intervention
methods.

Competenc
y 8:
Intervene with
Individuals,
Families, Groups,
Organizations,
and
Communities

Critically choose and implement

interventions to achieve practice goals and
enhance capacities of clients and
constituencies.
Based

on the clients progress I will aid

staff when it comes to choosing and
implementing interventions.

Apply knowledge of human behavior and

the social environment, person-inenvironment, and other multidisciplinary
theoretical frameworks in interventions with
clients and constituencies.
I

will use my knowledge that I have

gained from both research and
observation about theoretical
frameworks to appropriately choose
interventions for clients.

Use inter-professional collaboration as

appropriate to achieve beneficial
practice outcomes.
I

will work accordingly with staff to

successfully practice at the facility.

Negotiate, mediate, and

advocate with and on behalf of
diverse clients and
constituencies.
With

my agency project I will write a

letter to the governor, including letter of
clients to advocate for them.

Facilitate effective transitions

and endings that advance
mutually agreed-on goals.
I

will collaborate with staff to effectively

choose which clients have reached their
goals and are able to graduate from the
program.

Competenc
y 9:
Evaluate Practice
with Individuals,
Families, Groups,
Organizations,
and
Communities

Select and use appropriate methods for

evaluation of outcomes.
I

will refer to the NASW Code of Ethics in

order to appropriately evaluate
outcomes of clients.

Apply knowledge of human behavior and

the social environment, person-inenvironment, and other multidisciplinary
theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of
outcomes.
I

will use my knowledge that I have

gained from both research and
observation about theoretical
frameworks to appropriately choose
interventions for clients.

Critically analyze, monitor, and

evaluate intervention and
program processes and
outcomes
I

will use critical thinking to come up

with ideas to advocate for individuals at
the facility that can possibly make
policies more effective.

Apply evaluation findings to improve

practice effectiveness at the micro,
mezzo, and macro levels.

I will use my notes that I have gathered

during group and individual sessions in
order to practice effectively a the
facility.