Two pieces of evidence that demonstrate knowledge, values, skills, and/or cognitive & affective processes in Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities:

- One from your practicum experience (identify learning activity(ies) that best exemplify the competency)

- One from Foundation Practice I or II (5532/5533)

A paragraph rationalization for each piece of evidence chosen. 

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

Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of assessment with diverse

clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their assessment and decision-making.

Social workers:

• 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.

Practicum Example:

“Weekly I will establish rapport to increase relationships building with the intention of better understanding client’s individual barriers as evidenced by notes in my practicum journal.”

I think my casual interactions with my clients at PRIDE Haven have been the best way for me to have an ongoing assessment with them. The more I build rapport and speak with them, the more clients tell me about their individual barriers and challenges. I’ve been able to use this to help them build ongoing plans towards success.

5532 Example:

I think the best assignment example would be the GIM assessment part of our final assignment from Foundations I. It provided me a chance to be introspective about how I currently do assessments with clients and where I can improve. The client from my final assignment was in a substance use treatment center, somewhere I don’t have any experience working in. It was interesting to see how assessments are done in another area of social work than the one I currently work in.