Competency

Discussions

Jonaysha Douglas
Competency 1
Competency 1.1

– Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics,
relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical
conduct if research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context
– Carry a copy of the NASW Code of Ethics so when a dilemma does occur, I can
have a reference to make the best decision.
Competency 1.2

– Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain

professionalism in practice situations
– During supervision day, talk with supervisor about any personal values that
may have arose while dealing with clients.
Competency 1.3

– Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written,

and electronic communication
– Dress professionally and act in a professional manner
Competency 1.4

– Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes

– Only use agency computers while dealing with clients and confidential
material
Competency 1.5

– Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgement and behavior

– Meet weekly with supervisor to talk about how internship is going and things I
am doing well/ things I can work on
Competency 2
Competency 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
– Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and be culturally competent when working
with diverse populations
Competency 2.2

– Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts

of their own experiences
– I try to get the most out of my learning. Each day I intern, my supervisor tries
to find anyone who is going out in the field so I can get a more hands on
experience.
Competency 2.3

– Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal

biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies
– I identified some of my personal biases at the beginning of my internship and I
try to show empathy to the situation to prevent my bias from taking over.
Competency 3
Competency 3.1

– Apply understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate

for human rights at the individual and system levels.
– Understand client’s needs and incorporate local resources that may be able to
help clients out of DSS jurisdiction
– Such as Coastal Horizons, The Carousel Center
Competency 3.2

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

– Attend monthly meetings with social workers and supervisors to stay in the
know about cases and decisions that have been made
– The government shutdown affects EBT, WIC and work first
– Individuals are getting EBT benefits late January for February before the
government shuts down completely
Competency 4
Competency 4.1

– Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research
– Look at data from Brunswick County compared to other counties in the state
– Number of reports, reports taken vs not taken, types of reports
Competency 4.2

– Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative

research methods and research findings
– Advocacy Project that fits the needs of clients that CPS serves
Competency 4.3

– Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and
service delivery
– Findings from Advocacy Project will help try and close gaps in research within
CPS
Competency 5
Competency 5.1

– Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-
being, service delivery, and access to social services
– Reading and understanding the new manual with policy
Competency 5.2

– Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery and access
to social services
– Identifying and learning current agency policy and addressing any issues in the
policy
Competency 5.3

– Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that
advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
– Collaborate with agency workers on how to resolve identified social problems
Competency 6
Competency 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
– Apply and discuss agency observations and experiences during supervision
time
Competency 6.2

– Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse

clients and constituencies
– Practice reflective listening, empathy and open ended questions while
working with clients
Competency 7
Competency 7.1

– Collect and organize data and apply critical thinking to interpret information
from clients and constituencies
– Correctly use agency assessment tools such as safety plan and risk
assessments
Competency 7.2

– Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-

environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies
– Applying theories while conducting family assessments to find services
Competency 7.3

– Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the

critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and
constituencies
– Participate in Child Family Team Meetings (CFT)
– This is when a child is going to be placed out the home with grandma, family,
etc.
Competency 7.4

– Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research

knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies
– Go with social workers to initiate cases and sit in while they staff with social
worker
Competency 8
Competency 8.1

– Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and

enhance capacities of clients and constituencies
– Remember to use SMART goals
– Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound
Competency 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
– Discuss with social workers client progress towards treatment goals and
termination protocols
Competency 8.3

– Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial

practice outcomes
– Participate in case decisions
Competency 8.4

– Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and
constituencies
– Participate in meetings to discuss strengths and weaknesses of clients
– Discussing how we work around barriers to try and achieve goals
Competency 8.5

– Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on

goals.
– Work with assessment workers on case decisions.
– Whether case is unsubstantiated or transferred to in-home or foster care.
Competency 9
Competency 9.1

– Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes

– Complete risk assessments, strengths/needs and case decision forms
Competency 9.2

– Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-

environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the
evaluation of outcomes
– Observe professional engagement with clients at agency and home
Competency 9.3

– Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes

and outcomes
– Talk with staff members on how the agency has changed over the years
Competency 9.4

– Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo

and macro levels
– Discuss with supervisor about who seeks services at our agency