Springfield College Department of Social Work Competency Assessment Report

EPAS

Competency Code

2015 EPAS Competencies and Advanced Generalist Behaviors

(First/Foundation Year)

2.1.1

Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

▫ 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;

▫ Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations;

▫ Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication;

▫ Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes; and

▫ Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

2.1.2

Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

▫   Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;

▫   Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences; and

▫  Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.

2.1.3

Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

▫  Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and

▫  Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

2.1.4

Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

▫  Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;

▫  Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research

methods and research findings; and

▫  Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and

service delivery.

2.1.5

Engage in Policy Practice

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

▫  Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;

▫  Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

2.1.6

Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

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

▫  Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

2.1.7

Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫  Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;

▫  Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of

assessment data from clients and constituencies;

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

▫  Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

2.1.8

Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫  Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;

▫  Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients

and constituencies;

▫   Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;

▫   Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and

▫   Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

2.1.9

Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫   Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;

▫   Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of

outcomes;

▫   Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes; and

▫   Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

EPAS

Competency Code

2015 EPAS Competencies and Advanced Generalist Behaviors (Second/Specialization Year)

2.1.1

Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

▫ Employ (model) conscious use of self, self-reflection, self-monitoring, and self- correction in practice

▫ Model professional demeanor in behavior and written and oral communications

▫ Articulate the mission of social work to multiple constituencies

▫ Consistently adhere to and model professional roles and boundaries

▫ Articulate and advocate social work values and ethics among interdisciplinary situations and settings

▫ Conduct oneself ethically and engage in ethical decision-making using different approaches and strategies, e.g., moral reasoning, cultural perspective, professionalism in

research and practice

▫ Apply appropriate social work values to resolve ethical issues

▫ Analyze and communicate professional judgments, reasoning, and process in practice

2.1.2

Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

▫ Transform one’s behavior in response to a recognition of one’s biases based in difference and culture

▫  Apply an understanding of privilege and power within an anti-oppressive practice

▫  Consistently recognize and describe the impact of culture and diversity on one’s

personal and professional behavior

▫  Modify and adapt mainstream interventions to meet needs of diverse populations

and that challenge oppression

▫  Actively promote opportunities for diverse perspectives and participation of

diverse constituents

2.1.3

Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

▫  Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice in

agencies and organizations

▫  Incorporate an understanding of regional and global interconnections of

oppression and applies this understanding to social work practice

▫  Take action to redress mechanisms of oppression and discrimination

▫  Embrace the obligation to advance human rights and fosters social, economic, and

environmental justice

▫  Engage in community collaborations that foster social, economic, and

environmental justice and social change

2.1.4

Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

▫  Use evidence-based research findings to improve practice

▫   Evaluate social policies and programs

▫  Integrate qualitative and quantitative research in all aspects of advanced

generalist practice

▫  Work collaboratively across disciplines to assess intervention effectiveness, ways to engage in practice evaluation, and opportunities to build cross-discipline research approaches

2.1.5

Engage in Policy Practice

▫  Articulate the impact of policies on service delivery

▫  Develop and promote agency policies and professional behavior that affect change

▫  Identify gaps in policies at varied levels, e.g., agency policies, public policies, regulations

2.1.6

Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫  Use empathy and other interpersonal skills

▫  Implement a mutually agreed upon focus of work and desired outcome

2.1.7

Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫  Collect, organize, and interpret client data

▫  Develop mutually agreed upon intervention goals and objectives

▫  Assess complex problems with systems of all sizes and types

▫  Identify the range of legalities and/or legal risks that may exist for a client or client system that may be considering accessing social services

2.1.8

Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫  Select appropriate intervention strategies

▫  Implement prevention strategies that enhance client capacities

▫  Assist clients to resolve problems

▫  Intervene in complex problems with systems of all sizes and types

▫  Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for client systems

▫  Demonstrate one’s ability to move a client system through the practice intervention process

2.1.9

Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

▫   Facilitate transitions and endings

▫   Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions

▫   Evaluate complex problems with systems of all sizes and types

▫   Synthesize and apply a broad range of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills consistent with current evidence informed practice