Core Competency 1by

David Lowery
Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
 Practice Behavior 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 of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate
to context.

Have a self-awareness of NASW Code of Ethics

Practice and maintain confidentiality
Adhere to all policies & procedures of STAR Program
Adhere to IRB guidelines and ethical considerations related to research
Daily exposure to real-life situations
 Practice Behavior 1.2
Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and
maintain professionalism in practice situations.

Self-awareness of my own personal bias

Respect for Human Well-being
Self-awareness of my own personal values & beliefs
Culturally sensitive
Weekly participation in role-play scenarios
 Practice Behavior 1.3
Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance, and oral,
written, and electronic communication.

Maintain professional boundaries

No social media interaction
Maintain personal hygiene
Adhere to dress code
Prompt correspondence through work e-mail when necessary
Practice good note-taking skills
Refrain from inappropriate language
 Practice behavior 1.4
Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice
outcomes.

Refrain from in-appropriate websites

Communicate with student(s) through work e-mail and phone only
Refrain from giving out personal phone number and e-mail
No communication through social media
Keep student(s) personal information on a secured file
 Practice behavior 1.5
Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment
and behavior.

Weekly meetings with supervisor to assess performance

Address concerns
Allow for teachable moments
 Core Competency 2 by
David Lowery

Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

 Practice Behavior 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.

Asking specific questions

Addressing biases
Use the knowledge and understanding gained in order to better serve clients in their sociocultural
environment.
Awareness of student(s) background(upbringing, values, beliefs, interests, etc.).
 Practice Behavior 2.2

Present themselves as learners and engage clients and

constituencies as experts of their own experiences.

Meet student(s) where they are currently at in life(socially, emotionally, mentally,

economically, spiritually, etc.)
 Practice Behavior 2.3

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

personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and
constituencies.

Understand my own values and biases

Learn how to control my values and stereotypes
Do not allow my personal biases to interfere with my responsibilities
to my student(s).
 Core Competency 3 by
David Lowery

Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic,

and Environmental Justice
 Practice Behavior 3.1
Apply understanding of social, economic, and
environmental justice to advocate for human rights
at the individual and system levels.

Identify agencies/organizations that are available, that can

assist with student(s) need(s).
Policy awareness
 Practice Behavior 3.2
Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and
environmental justice.

Volunteering
Social clubs, organizations that are available in community
Attend conferences, workshops, and trainings
 Core Competency 4
by David Lowery

Engage In Practice-informed Research

and Research-informed Practice
 Practice Behavior 4.1

Use practice experience and theory to inform

scientific inquiry and research.

Apply the Critical-Thinking Model to practice, as well as other

theories based on the need of the
student(s).
Research and document evidence-based practice models that are
relevant to the population served by the agency.
 Practice Behavior 4.2

Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of

quantitative and qualitative research methods and
research findings.

In supervision, discuss with my field supervisor, findings and

practice implications related to evidence-based practice
models.
Plan and implement an evidence-based practice model, such
as facilitating a psychoeducational group.
 Practice Behavior 4.3
Use and translate research evidence to inform
and improve practice, policy, and service
delivery.

Research and apply trends & practices to workload.

Design and implement an evaluative strategy for
determining intervention, effectiveness, and document
results.
 Core Competency 5
by David Lowery

Engage in Policy Practice

 Practice Behavior 5.1
Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal
level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and
access to social services.

In supervision, identify ways clients experience oppression

and discrimination when it comes to accessing resources at
your agency or on a local, state, or federal level.
Discuss findings during supervision
 Practice Behavior 5.2

Assess how social welfare and economic

policies impact the delivery of and access to
social services.

Conduct a needs assessment of student(s)

Conduct SWOT Analysis of agency (STAR)
 Practice Behavior 5.3
Apply crtical thinking to analyze, formulate,
and advocate for policies that advance human
rights and social, economic, and environmental
justice.

Become familiar with current political events by identifying

current policy issues.
In supervision, discuss the effects of these issues on clients
and service delivery systems.
 Core Competency 6
by David Lowery

Engage with Individuals, Families,

Groups, Organizations, and
Communities
 Practice Behavior 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.

Use of a genogram to gain an in-depth understanding

of past family history.
 Practice Behavior 6.2

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal

skills to effectively engage diverse clients
and constituencies.

Active listening
Self-disclosure
Sharing common interests
 Competency 7
by David Lowery

Assess Individuals, Families, Groups,

Organizations, and Communities
 Practice Behavior 7.1

Collect and organize data, and apply

critical thinking to interpret information
from clients and constituencies.

Assess student(s) to determine what needs

are
 Practice Behavior 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.
Assess previous instances & apply lessons learned to new
clientele.
Apply approaches that have worked with previous students
 Practice Behavior 7.3

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals

and objectives based on the critical assessment
of strengths, needs, and challenges within
clients and constituencies.
Have open discussions with student(s) about goals and
needs
Have student(s) to write their goals down on paper
 Practice Behavior 7.4

Select appropriate intervention strategies based on

the assessment, research knowledge, and values and
preferences of clients and constituencies.

Identify previous best practices and incorporate them

Be cognizant to new approaches
 Core Competency 8
by David Lowery

Intervene with Individuals, Families,

Groups, Organizations, and Communities
 Practice Behavior 8.1

Critically choose and implement intervention

to achieve practice goals and enhance
capacities of clients and constituencies.

I will evaluate various interventions across all levels of

practice (micro, mezzo, macro) in considering the best
response to meet student(s) needs and share my findings
during staff meetings, and/or practicum seminar.
 Practice Behavior 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.

I will use the appropriate theories that are specifically

designed to meet the needs of target population
 Practice Behavior 8.3
Use inter-professional collaboration as
appropriate to achieve beneficial practice
outcomes.
Open communication
Autonomy
Mutual trust and respect
Sharing skills and knowledge
 Practice Behavior 8.4

Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with

and on behalf of diverse clients and
constituencies.

Help student(s) resolve any disputes they may have

with other systems, such as family or school
 Practice Behavior 8.5

Facilitate effective transitions and endings

that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

Help student(s) set timeline to reach attainable goals

Remind student(s) of goals
 Core Competency 9
by David Lowery

Evaluate Practice with Individuals,

Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities
 Practice Behavior 9.1

Select and use appropriate methods for

evaluation of outcomes.

I will discuss with my supervisor how client

interventions can change as clients
situations shift.
 Practice Behavior 9.2

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social

environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the
evaluation of outcomes.

I will interview a staff member regarding agency history, how

it has changed over the years, and why changes were made.
 Practice Behavior 9.3

Critically analyze, monitor, and

evaluate intervention and program
processes and outcomes.

I will discuss the demographics of who seeks

services at our agency with my supervisor
 Practice Behavior 9.4

Apply evaluation findings to improve

practice effectiveness at the micro,
mezzo, and macro levels.

I will offer suggestions to my supervisor as to how the

agency could better reach populations or develop more
sustainable services.