CORE COMPETENCY #1

Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
1.1 Advocate for client access to the services of social work.

Example
Utilize

I will:

appropriate techniques of advocacy and social action to resolve problems in access to social work services.

1.2 Practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional development. Example

I will:

Identify areas of strength as well as areas that require improvement. ecognize impact of personal biases and value system on interactions with

clients.
!eek and act on corrective feedback from supervisor. "odify behaviors that may hinder therapeutic relationships with clients. #stablish effective working relationships with clients and colleagues. Act promptly to resolve identified problems professionally.

1.3 Attend to professional roles and boundaries.

Example: I will: Utilize professional relationship with clients for the

sole purpose of enhancing the well-being of the client.

Practice and remain within the limits of competence. Adhere to professional responsibilities compatible

with the role of social work in my field setting.

1.4 $emonstrate professional demeanor in behavior% appearance% and communication.

Example:
I will: &e on time for appointments with clients and colleagues. 'omply with scheduled practicum hours. 'omplete assigned tasks within designated time frame. (reat clients and colleagues with dignity and respect. $ress appropriately for agency standards. efrain from use of derogatory language in written and oral

communication.
'ollaborate effectively as a team member and display an attitude of

willingness to assist colleagues.

1.5 #ngage in career-long learning.

Example:
I will: )illing to take risks and leave personal comfort zone to engage in new

e*periences.
!eek out practice wisdom from colleagues. !eek out new learning e*periences to build practice skills. Participate in in-service opportunities at agency. Attend professional trainings and workshops in areas of interest. ead +ournal articles relevant to field setting. ,ormulate both short and long-term career goals and steps required to

achieve goals.

1. Use supervision and consultation.

Example:
I will: !eek supervision or consultation when uncertain. #ngage in trusting relationship- with supervisor. #ffectively use feedback to improve practice skills

and increase self-awareness.

Identify specific clients% issues% situations that create

personal discomfort and may be avoided in supervision.

CORE COMPETENCY #2
Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
2.1 ecognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice.
Example:
I will: $istinguish and keep personal from professional self. efrain from imposing personal values on clients. ecognize ethical dilemmas involving conflict

between personal and professional values and address these in supervision

Example: I will:

2.2 "ake ethical decisions by applying standards of the -ational Association of !ocial )orkers 'ode of #thics and% as applicable% of the International ,ederation of !ocial )orkers.International Association of !chools of !ocial )ork #thics in !ocial )ork% !tatement of Principles.

efer to various ethical codes when faced with

ethical dilemmas.

2.3 (olerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts.

Example: I will: ecognize ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts and

dilemmas.
Acknowledge negative emotions associated with difficult

ethical decisions.
!eek consultation and support from colleagues and value

differing opinions regarding ethical dilemmas.

Identify areas of conflict among laws% -A!) 'ode and

agency policies.

2.4 Apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions.

Example: I will: #valuate impact of ethical decision making and

transfer learning to new practice situations.

Articulate thought process used to arrive at

decisions.
Acknowledge faulty reasoning.

CORE COMPETENCY #3
Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional +udgments

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
3.1 Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom.
Example:
I will:

'onduct review of literature to identify

interventions supported by empirical evidence.

Utilize measures that have been validated with

specific client group of interest.

3.2 Analyze models of assessment% prevention% intervention% and evaluation.

Example:
I will/ Use an analytical approach for effective decision making. Identify and apply theories relevant to specific setting and

problems.
'onsider micro% mezzo% and macro points on interventions. $emonstrate the ability to think strategically and apply effective

strategies to achieve micro% mezzo% and macro ob+ectives.

3.3 $emonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals% families% groups% organizations% communities and colleagues.

Example:
I will: Actively listen to voices of people speaking from diverse

perspectives and use language that is respectful of diversity.

!eek clarity when defining problems% issues% beliefs% values

or standards.
)rite accurate% comprehensive client assessments. )rite clear% concise recommendations. Appropriately ad+ust choice of words when communicating

with different groups 0i.e. clients% colleagues% peers1.

CORE COMPETENCY #4
#ngage diversity and difference in practice

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
4.1 ecognize the e*tent to which a culture2s structures and values may oppress% marginalize% alienate% or create or enhance privilege and power.
Example:
I will: learn about the cultures of others in my community and I will do

this by reading% observing and listening.

4.2 3ain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups.

Example:
I will:
-ot allow my personal biases to interfere with the individuals

quality of care.
#ven if I do not agree with their lifestyle% I am there not to +udge but

offer my assistance

4.3 ecognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life e*periences.

Example:
I will:
)hen initiating reports the clients background information is

essential% this can sometimes help determine why they behave they way they do and also help decide which way to precede with the individual.
$ifferent cultures look at things differently. 4ike what is considered

a family% what role religion plays in their lives% etc 5

4.4 6iew themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants.

Example:
I will:
$uring staff meetings I can share what I have learned with my

coworkers.
3ain knowledge of different programs in my agency and share that

knowledge to assist individuals in the community.

CORE COMPETENCY #5
Advance human rights and social and economic +ustice

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
5.1 Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination Example:
I will:
&ecome familiar with the different types of oppression and

discrimination that affects the population that I am working with.

5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic +ustice

Example:
I will:
&ecome familiar with ways to decrease discrimination and

oppression among the population that I am working with.

5.3 #ngage in practices that advance social and economic +ustice

Example:
I will:
Advocate for what is best for the patient and family in terms of

social and economic +ustice.

CORE COMPETENCY #
#ngage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
.1 Use practice e*perience to inform scientific inquiry
Example:
I will:

!eek out best practices for types of clients served at practicum site. !eek information for treatment related questions in professional literature.

.2 Use esearch evidence to inform practice

Example:
I will:
Integrate findings from multiple studies for particular

problem.diagnoses to develop most effective intervention strategy.

CORE COMPETENCY #!
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
!.1 Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment% intervention% and evaluation Example:
I will:

Apply concepts and knowledge of human growth and development to assess and monitor psychosocial needs of client or group.

!.2 'ritique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment

Example:
I will:
#valuate the relevance of multiple theories of human behavior in

understanding a particular client or group.

CORE COMPETENCY #"

#ngage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to delivery effective social work services

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
".1 Analyze% formulate% and advocate for policies and advance social well-being. Example:
I will:

$emonstrate knowledge of federal% state and local policies that impact the client system and the agency.

".2 'ollaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action

Example:
I will:

Identify when advocacy for policy change is needed. Identify potential strategies to promote policy change.

CORE COMPETENCY ##
espond to conte*ts that shape practice

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
#.1 'ontinuously discover% appraise% and attend to changing locales% populations% scientific% and technological developments% and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services. Example:
I will:
Analyze changes in social problems that impact agency7s target

population 0i.e. how current mezzo and macro issues impact client systems and how current macro issues impact agency systems.1
8elp clients understand the impact of changes in state and federal

policies

#.2 Provide leadership in promoting sustainable changes in-service delivery and practice to improve the quality of social services.

Example:
I will:
Act as a change agent to promote optimal functioning in all types of

social systems 0i.e. organizations% programs% and communities1.

Advocate for promoting social +ustice and positive social change.

CORE COMPETENCY #1$

#ngage% assess% intervene% and evaluate with individuals% families% groups% organizations% and communities

PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
1$.1 !ubstantively and affectively prepare for action with individuals% families% groups% organizations% and communities Example:
I will:
Accuratley identify presenting issues and.or need of the client

system.
Accurately collect and interpret client system information. Accurately identify client strengths and challenges.

1$.2 Use empathy and other interpersonal skills.

Example:
I will:

(reat ALL clients with dignity and respect and listen attentively to them. -ot be +udgmental and engage in appropriate use of self disclosure and humor.

1$.3 $evelop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes

Example:
I will:

$evelop mutually agreed-on goals and ob+ectives for client. Identify multiple appropriate intervention strategies to assist client in meeting goals. !elect most appropriate intervention strategy to assist client in meeting goals.

1$.4 'ollect% organize% and interpret client data.

Example:
I will:

Implement intervention strategies based on comprehensive assessment and goal plan with individuals% families% groups% organizations and community.

1$.5 Assess client strengths and limitations

Example:
I will:

1$. $evelop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and ob+ectives

Example:
I will:

1$.! !elect appropriate intervention strategies

Example:
I will:

1$." Initiate actions to achieve organizational goals

Example:
I will:

1$.# Implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities

Example:
I will:

1$.1$ 8elp clients resolve problems.

Example:
I will:

1$.11 -egotiate% mediate% and advocate for clients.

Example:
I will:

1$.12 ,acilitate transitions and endings

Example:
I will:

1$.13 Social workers critically analyze, monitor, and

evaluate interventions

Example:
I will: