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Colleague 1 Vera Alicia Jordan
Define practice evaluation:
Practice evaluation is a way one can increase the effectiveness of their work. It’s keeping the checks and balances in place which allows one to be accountable to the people serviced provided to the underserved people in the community such as those who are the poorest and have the greatest material needs, and to the professional position we have been appointed allowing for abilities to shape the practice of intervention (Dudley, 2020). Practice evaluation increases the effectiveness of the work that is perform by the individual professionals that provide a set of intervention by one social worker to one client; program evaluation refers to the subunits of a social agency that provides a set of interventions with common goals for clients being provided by the entire agency (Dudley, 2020). Explain why a social worker must evaluate their practice, even if they are already using evidence-based interventions with clients. For a social worker to grow within the profession and practice, it is key to evaluate the work being perform on clients. At the micro level, we are responsible for the care of our individual clients, on the mezzo, we are reviewing practice as it relates to the families and the macro, we are focusing on the policies that impacts our programs and clients. As social workers, it is key that we have competencies in conducting practice evaluations if we are to be accountable for the effectiveness of the services provided regardless of evidence-based tools being used on clients because evidence-based interventions are not theoretical perspective, but they assurance that the programs and practices provided are effective and accountable for the clients that we service, needs (Dudley, 2020). The social work field is working very hard to implement evidence-based practice as a new standard for social work intervention (Baker & Ritchey, 2009). If you were to conduct an evaluation with your chosen client from Week1, describe at least one ethical standard that may pose a challenge and explain why. Refer to specific areas of the NASW Code of Ethics in your response.
In the case of Tiffani, commitment to client is a potential challenge that could be a problem. Because Tiffani has been hurt by her parents, her uncle, his friend and other adults that she entrusted to protect her, it is important to effectively educate her on the reality of her situation versus what she the narrative she had created in her mind on what has happened. Currently, Tiffani is relying on a man who introduced her to prostitution and continued to be a key component in her life. Because Tiffani lacks trust in adults, it is important to establish a trusted relationship between Tiffani and the social worker. While working with Tiffani, one goal to set is to help client with what a healthy relationship looks like between adults and teenagers versus what she is experiencing. Because abuse has experience has been experienced in many of Tiffani’s relationships, her ability to make sound decisions on what a good relationship looks like is clouded on what safety looks like. Another goals would be to role play to allow her to see what effective communication in healthy relationships looks like and provide some intervention techniques on how to change what she is currently experiencing. Per ethical standard 1.01 Commitment to Client explains that client’s interest is primary; however, a social workers responsibility is to the client. In this case Tiffani, may be limited when a child has been abused or has plans to harm themselves (NASW, 2022). Tiffani has been abused on several occasions and believes that one of her abusers is her husband and that he loves her. This is a false sense of security for her and must be addressed to help her to identify what she is experiencing.
References:
Baker, L.R., & Ritchey, F.J., (2009). Assessing practitioner’s knowledge of evaluation: Initial psychometrics of the practice evaluation knowledge scale. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 6(4). 376-389.
Dudley, J.R. (2020). Social Work Evaluation: Enhancing what we do, Oxford University Press, New York, NY
National Association of Social Work. (2022). Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients. NASW- National Associations of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-Clients Links to an external site.
Colleague 2 Crystal G Ortega
Define practice evaluation. Explain how it differs from program evaluation.
This week we learned about practice evaluations and program evaluations. According to Dudley, practice evaluations are used to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions designed for the client. Dudley states practice evaluations are guided by the goals set for the client by the practitioner� (2020). A practice evaluation assesses the work performed by the social work provider. However, according to Dudley, program evaluation differs from that of practice evaluation. Program evaluation determines the effectiveness of the program (2020). Program evaluations are designed to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and experience of services. Instead of improving the services of individual practitioners, we are focusing on improving the organization.
Explain why a social worker must evaluate their practice, even if they are already using evidence-based interventions with clients.\r
It is important for social work practitioners to evaluate their practice even if they are already using evidence-based interventions with clients. As a social work practitioner, our goal is to assist clients by providing them with support, service, and interventions that best applies to their needs and unique situations. While undergoing research, we might come across studies that we feel apply to our clients based on their problems and experiences. However, as a professional, we are responsible for making the determination of whether these interventions are working. If we see no improvement or changes with the interventions being used, then we need to make adjustments or change the intervention plan. To determine if the interventions being used are benefiting our client, we can rely on practice evaluations.\r
If you were to conduct an evaluation with your chosen client from Week 1, describe at least one ethical standard that may pose a challenge and explain why. Refer to specific areas of the NASW Code of Ethics in your response. Be sure to include APA citations and references.\r
If I were to conduct an evaluation with my chosen client Tiffani Bradley, one ethical standard that may pose a challenge for me is section 1.04 of the NASW Code of Ethics which states, “ Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience� (2021). Unfortunately for me, I do not hold the licensure or training to best support Tiffani and her needs. I do not have experience working with victims of abuse and sex trafficking. I will find it challenging to provide support and resources that would best address Tiffani’s needs. To further support Tiffany, I would need to continue my education and educate myself more on victims of abuse and sex trafficking.\r
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References \r
Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 3–30, 56–77. National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers\r
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