CONNECTIONS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Competencies and Practice

Behaviors

Laurie Heim
SWK 4910
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and
Professional Behavior

 Practice Behavior 1.1-Applying the NASW Code of Ethics

 Dignity and worth of the person
 Treating people with respect and embracing differences

 Integrity
 Being trustworthy

 Competence
 Increasing professional knowledge, skills, and applying them to practice

 I am able to demonstrate these in my internship by meeting clients where they are,

building a rapport with them, continuing to learn the agency rules, and keeping the
NASW Code of Ethics in mind at all times.
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and
Professional Behavior

 Practice Behavior 1.2- Using reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values
and maintain professionalism in practice situations.

 I am able to demonstrate this by not passing judgement on any clients in the agency and
by making sure that I do not let my feelings interfere with the clients who are receiving
services.
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and
Professional Behavior

 Practice Behavior 1.3-Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and

oral, written, and electronic communication.

 I am able to demonstrate this by dressing in appropriate attire, following the agency’s

dress code, and making sure that I conduct myself professionally.
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and
Professional Behavior

 Practice Behavior 1.4-Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice

outcomes.

 I am able to demonstrate this by using the agency’s computers for the purpose of
creating and maintaining client records and looking up resources for the client.
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and
Professional Behavior

 Practice Behavior 1.5- Use supervision and consultation to guide professional

judgement and behavior.

 I am able to demonstrate this by utilizing my field supervisor for case staffing to ensure
that I am providing accurate and appropriate services for the clients that come into the
agency.
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in
Practice

 Practice Behavior 2.1-Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of

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

 Practice Behavior 2.2-Present themselves as learners and engage clients and

constituencies as experts of their own experiences.

 Practice Behavior 2.3- Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the

influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and
constituencies.
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in
Practice

 I am able to demonstrate these behaviors by

 Meeting clients where they are
 Allowing clients the right to self-determination
 Allowing the clients to be an active participant in their case management in the
agency
 Collaborating with the clients to help them change their life stories.
 Treating every client that comes through the agency like a human being
 Being aware of my own biases and how those might interfere with clients that I am
working with
 Not passing judgement
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social,
Economic, and Environmental Justice

 Practice Behavior 3.1- Apply understanding of social, economic,

and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the
individual and systems level.

 I am able to demonstrate this by being knowledgeable of policies and how

they impact the clients receiving services through the agency.
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social,
Economic, and Environmental Justice

 Practice Behavior 3.2- Engage in practices that advance social,

economic, and environmental justice.

 I am able to demonstrate this by attending community meetings and

advocating for our clients.
 Example: Attending the monthly meeting for the public transit system
and advocating for changes to the system.
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed
Research and Research-informed Practice

 Practice Behavior 4.1: Use practice experience and theory to

inform scientific inquiry and research.

 I am able to demonstrate this by

 Evaluating the effectiveness of stabilization plans and improvement of the client’s
situation.
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed
Research and Research-informed Practice

 Practice Behavior 4.2: Apply critical thinking to engage in

analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and
research findings.

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Assessment notes-Taking data collected from clients during intakes and follow-ups
and presenting it in written format
 Creating and facilitating a “Coping with Change” workshop
 Completing weekly reports that show client intakes and follow-ups
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed
Research and Research-informed Practice

 Practice Behavior 4.3: Use and translate research evidence to

inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

 I can demonstrate this by:

 using a person-centered, solutions focused, person-in-environment approach.
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

 Practice Behavior 5.1: Identify social policy at the local, state,

and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and
access to social services.

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Learning and understanding agency policies and programs
 Learning and understanding the programs of our community partners
 Learning and understanding the HUD and McKinney-Vento definitions of
homelessness
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

 Practice Behavior 5.2: Assess how social welfare and economic

policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Understanding the resources that are available
 Referring clients to the appropriate resources
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

 Practice Behavior 5.3: Apply critical thinking to analyze,

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

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Identifying problem areas in policies
 Promote and advocate for changes that will improve service to our clients
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 6.1: Apply knowledge of human behavior and

the social environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients
and constituencies

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Using a strengths-based perspective when working with clients
 Assisting clients in identifying their own strengths
 Advocating on the client’s behalf
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 6.2: Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills

to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Using active listening skills
 Asking open-ended questions
 Encouraging client to be an active participant in their stabilization plan and
goal setting
 Adhering to a client’s right to self-determination
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 7.1-Collect and organize data and apply critical

thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies.

 I can demonstrate this through conducting intake assessments on new clients.

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

 Practice Behavior 7.2-Apply knowledge of human behavior and

the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multi-
disciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients
and constituencies.

 I can demonstrate this by using a person-centered, strength-based approach and

a solution-focused approach when working with clients
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 7.3-Develop mutually agreed-on intervention

goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths,
needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies.

 I can demonstrate this by conducting intake assessments, follow-ups, and by

writing stabilization plans.
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 7.4-Select appropriate intervention strategies

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

 I can demonstrate this by conducting intake assessments, follow-ups, and by

writing stabilization plans.
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 8.1-Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice

goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies.

 I can demonstrate this by writing stabilization plans that are:

 Goal-based
 Solutions-focused
 Empower clients to become self-reliant
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 8.2-Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment,
person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies.

 I can demonstrate this by using these approaches:

 Person-centered
 Strength-based
 Solutions-focused
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 8.3-Use Inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve

beneficial practice outcomes.

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Using effective communication skills
 Being knowledgeable of appropriate resources when making referrals for clients
 Staffing with my supervisor when writing stabilization plans for clients
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 8.4-Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse
clients and constituencies

 I can demonstrate this by:

 Writing stabilization plans that outline goals and referrals to outside agencies
 Contacting outside agencies on behalf of a client when necessary
 Contacting outside parties, such as landlords and utility companies, when working with
clients
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 8.5- Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually
agreed-on goals

 I can demonstrate this by conducting routine follow-ups with clients. During these
follow-ups we talk about their stabilization plans, what progress they have made, and
what their current needs are.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 9.1-Select and use appropriate methods for

evaluation of outcomes.

 I can demonstrate this by writing stabilization plans for clients as

well as conducting routine follow-ups to determine if stabilization
plan is meeting clients needs.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 9.2-Apply knowledge of human behavior and

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

 I can demonstrate this by using person-centered, strength-based,

and solutions-focused approaches when working with clients.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 9.3-Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate

intervention and program processes and outcomes.

 I can demonstrate this by conducting routine follow-ups to

evaluate effectiveness of the stabilization plan and if it is meeting
the clients needs.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals,
Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 Practice Behavior 9.4- Apply evaluation findings to improve

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

 I can demonstrate this by evaluating clients stabilization plans and

their needs in order to best serve clients in the community.