Description
Various agencies contribute to the social services offered in social work practice. Although the goal of many social work agencies may appear the same—to offer social services to clients who need them—each agency provides a unique approach or opportunity to deliver those needs.
As a future social worker, understanding the position of your agency in reference to the world of social work practice might provide valuable perspectives for applying your professional skills.
For this Assignment, research the agency you are working with for your field education experience. Examine the characteristics of your agency in reference to the field of social work and the types of services offered to clients.
The Assignment (8–10 PowerPoint slides):
Create an Agency PowerPoint Presentation that includes the following: Agency- Contemporary Family Services, Inc
- A definition of the characteristics of the population(s) served by your agency – low income at risk youth, adolescents and adult
- A description of the sources of funding for your agency – Maryland Medicaid
- An explanation of the agency’s mission statement and a comparison to your agency learning agreement – On website
- A description of the organizational structure of your agency OMHC (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, LCSW-C, LGSW, Office staff) Psychiatric Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Specialist, Direct care workers)
- Include 2 peer reviewed reference and speaker notes
Walden University — Barbara Solomon School of Social Work and Human Services –Social Work Program
Used with SOCW 6500 and SOCW 6510
Agency Name: [Type here]
Agency Address: «AddressBlock»
Student Information
Name: [Type here]
Walden Email: [Type here]
Phone: [Type here]
Academic Term
Example: Winter 2016
[Type here][Type here]
Instructor/Supervisor Information
Name: [Type here]
Email: [Type here]
Phone: [Type here]
Faculty Liaison
Information
Name: [Type here]
Email: [Type here]
Phone: [Type here]
Course Number
Agency Info
Description:
Population Served:
Example: SOCW 6500-10
[Type here]
Importance of the Learning Agreement
Purpose of the Learning Agreement: The learning agreement is designed to ensure students are mindful about the learning expectations in their
field placement. It was developed to help students and supervisors/instructors plan a well-rounded experience that will help students meet the
learning objectives.
Learning Objectives: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires students gain competency in nine areas of social work practice. These
areas of practice are defined as core competencies of the profession. Each core competency requires particular behaviors students should be able
to engage and gain competency in. Students should provide examples of activities in the agency they can participate in to help them meet the
learning objectives. Some examples of activities are provided. This is not an exhaustive list, so others can be added. Students must have an
opportunity to complete tasks in all nine areas of competency.
Connection to the Student Evaluation: Not only is the learning agreement a helpful tool to plan the learning goals for the term, but it connects
directly to the evaluation points in the student evaluation. Field Instructors/supervisors will be asked to complete student evaluations. Each
student is evaluated on the nine core competencies of social work. Having a solid learning agreement aligns the learning goals with the student’s
evaluation, so no areas are missed.
Instructions
Negotiating the Agreement: The learning agreement should be completed by week 3 at the agency. This is a collaborative process, where the field
instructor/supervisor and student meet to establish goals for the term. The student will then submit the agreement to the faculty liaison for
feedback and comments. Once everyone is happy with the agreement, all parties sign the agreement. During the evaluation session, toward the
end of the quarter, the student and instructor/supervisor should meet to discuss progress and challenges with the plan and develop ways to adjust
the learning for the remainder of the placement and the next quarter.
Form Layout:
Each page/grid is devoted to one of the nine Social Work Core Competencies. Students must have experience in all nine competencies.
Section Descriptions:
Expected Behaviors – the expected behaviors are those that are identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These
behaviors should be demonstrated by students during the term of the field placement/internship.
Agency Activities-These are examples of particular activities that students can do at the agency to demonstrate the expected behaviors.
Most of these are general to all settings. However, if they don’t quite match, feel free to add/change these to fit with the context of your
agency. Check all activities that apply.
Field Course Assignments-These are a few examples of field course assignments that help reinforce the Social Work Core Competencies.
Students will be required to complete all field course assignments.
How to Complete the From:
a- By week 2, students should complete all student designated sections on the learning agreement and discuss it with their supervisor/instructor.
b- By week 3, students should upload the learning agreement to Blackboard for the faculty liaison to review. (Only upload agreements that have been
approved by your supervisor/instructor).
c- After the faculty liaison reviews and signs the agreement, the student and instructor should sign it.
d- After the agreement has been signed, the student will upload it to Meditrek.
Learning Agreement
Social Work Core Competency 1 – Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
a- make ethical decisions by applying the
standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant
laws and regulations, models for ethical decisionmaking, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to
context.
Familiarize self with clients’ rights and respect
these at all times and adhere to the NASW Code
of Ethics.
b- use reflection and self-regulation to manage
personal values and maintain professionalism in
practice situations.
c-demonstrate professional demeanor in
behavior; appearance, and oral, written, and
electronic communication.
d-use technology ethically and appropriately to
facilitate practice outcomes.
f- use supervision and consultation to guide
professional judgment and behavior.
__Advocate for those who are incapacitated,
incompetent and those who cannot represent
their own best interests.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) Assignments:
Blog entries on supervision, use of self,
confidentiality and boundaries.
Process Recording on Values and Ethics
__Discuss personal values in supervision when
they conflict with the values of the profession.
__Discuss case scenarios with my supervisor and
faculty liaison that require ethical reasoning.
Seek guidance when you experience and ethical
dilemma.
__Dress professionally, use appropriate,
professional language and behavior.
__Adhere to agency polices about technology and
record keeping.
Add other activities here:
For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these expectations and
activities will help you gain competence in ethical and professional behavior (be specific).
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop as a professional social worker:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation).
Social Work Core Competency 2 – Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
a-recognize and manage personal values in a way
that allows professional values to guide practice
__Interact with those who are different from you
based on age, SES, color, culture, disability,
ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
b-make ethical decisions applying the standards
of the social work ethical codes
c-tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts
d-apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at
principled decisions
__Discuss in supervision and in class the strengths
of engaging diversity and the challenges you have
when engaging difference.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) Assignments:
Week 7 – Focus on diversity, including a blog post
on the diversity represented in your agency and a
process recording focused on cultural competency
in your agency.
__Engage in self-refection about personal biases
related to client population and discuss with
supervisor.
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage
diversity and difference in practice (be specific):
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to engage diversity and difference in practice:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation).
Social Work Core Competency 3- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
a-apply their understanding of social, economic,
and environmental justice to advocate for human
rights at the individual and system levels.
__Identify barriers clients face when accessing
services at my agency or at other agencies and
discuss during supervision.
b-engage in practices that advance social,
economic, and environmental justice.
__Discuss with supervisor about how social,
economic, and environmental factors affect client
outcomes.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) Assignments:
__Work with instructor/supervisor to engage
advocacy for needs and services for clients.
__Become familiar with a local or national
organization that advocates for your population.
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you advance
human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice (be specific):
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you advance human rights and justice:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation)
Social Work Core Competency 4 – Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
a-use practice experience and theory to inform
scientific inquiry and research.
b-apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of
quantitative and qualitative research methods
and research findings.
c-use and translate research evidence to inform
and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
__Research the context and treatment models
used by the agency.
__Read current research/literature on best
practices with the population you serve. Discuss
those articles with your supervisor. (See
assignment in SOCW6500)
__Work with your supervisor to create a briefinterview questionnaire that could be used during
an intake process with your population. (see
assignment in SOCW 6510)
SOCW 6500 (Field I) Assignment:
Assignment to find 5 research articles for best
practices in your agency setting.
SOCW6510 (Field II) Assignment:
Use the articles identified in quarter 1 of Field
6500 to develop a short questionnaire that could
be used with your client population during intake
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage in
practice-informed research and research-informed practice (be specific).
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you improve use research in your practice:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation).
Social Work Core Competency- 5- Engage in Policy Practice
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
a-identify social policy at the local, state, and
federal level that impacts well-being, service
delivery, and access to social services.
b-assess how social welfare and economic policies
impact the delivery of and access of social
services.
c-apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and
advocate for policies that advance human rights
and social, economic, and environmental justice.
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
__Become familiar with local, state, federal and
agency policies that affect the client population
and discuss them in supervision and in class.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) Assignment:
Policy Paper Assignment
__Explore how the service delivery in the agency
is affected by social welfare policies.
__Find opportunities at the agency or in advocacy
organizations to work with others to advocate to
advance human rights and justice.
SOCW6510 (Field II) Assignment:
Policy Paper identifying policies that affect a subpopulation of the clients served at the agency
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage in
policy practice (be specific).
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to engage in policy practice:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)
Social Work Core Competency 6- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors – Check at least one these in the course when assigned.
from each category
a-apply knowledge of human behavior and the
social environment, person-in-environment, and
other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to
engage with clients and constituencies.
Individuals
__Show care, empathy, and genuineness with
clients to initiate professional relationships with
clients.
b-use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills
to effectively engage diverse clients and
constituencies.
__ Other engagement activities with individuals:
Families
__Initiate professional relationships with families
to support client needs.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) –First 11 weeks
Blog on use of self
SOCW6510 (Field II)- Second 11 weeks
Week 1 and 2 focus on engagement with a blog
and process recording
__ Other engagement activities with families:
Groups
__ add community activity
__ Other engagement activities with groups::
Organizations
__Consult with organizations to assist with client
needs.
__Other engagement activities with Orgs:
Communities
__connect with community organizations that
provide services related to the clients you serve.
__Other engagement activities Communities:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage with
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (be specific).
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop your engagement skills:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation)
Social Work Core Competency 7-Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
a-collect and organize data, and apply critical
thinking to interpret information from clients and
constituencies
b-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.
c-develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals
and objectives based on the critical assessment of
strengths, needs, and challenges within clients
and constituencies.
d-select appropriate intervention strategies based
on the assessment, research, and values and
preferences of clients and constituencies.
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check at least one
these in the course when assigned.
from each category
Individuals:
__Utilize agency appropriate forms, tools, and
processes to assess clients’ needs, strengths, and
limitations to inform appropriate intervention
strategies.
SOCW6500 (Field I) – First 11 weeks
Discuss with supervisor evidence-based practices
used in agency setting.
SOCW 6510 (Field II)- Second 11 weeks
__Other assessment activities with individuals:
Families:
__Assess family support systems for clients that
support intervention goals and strategies.
__Work with families to assess needs, strengths,
and limitations in order to provide resources and
services.
__Other assessment activities with families:
Groups:
__ Work with groups to assess needs and to
inform group intervention goals and strategies.
__ Develop a needs assessment that would inform
the design and development of a group for
clients.
__Other assessment activities with groups:
Week 3 and 4 devoted to the assessment process,
with assignments of blogs and process recordings.
Organizations:
__ Discuss with your supervisor the needs of
clients, the strengths of the services offered, and
the areas where more services may be needed.
__ Assess how other organizations assist with
client needs and where there may be gaps in
services.
__Other assessment activities with
organizations:
Communities:
__assess the role the community plays in
providing services for your clients (financial,
legislative, representative, etc.) Discuss your
findings with your supervisor.
__Other assessment activities with
organizations:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you assess
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (be specific):
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop your assessment skills:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during supervision)
Social Work Core Competency 8-Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Communities, and Organizations
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
a-critically choose and implement interventions to
achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of
clients and constituencies.
__Use agency-appropriate processes to help
clients set goals.
b-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 supervisor relevant prevention
strategies with clients served.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) First 11 weeks
Discuss with supervisor evidence-based practices
used in agency setting
SOCW 6510 (Field II) Second 11 weeks
__Utilize prevention strategies with clients.
__Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
c-use inter-professional collaboration as
appropriate to achieve beneficial practice
outcomes.
__Assist clients by negotiating, mediating, and
advocating for needed services.
d-negotiate, mediate, and advocate with an d on
behalf of diverse clients and constituencies
__Talk with supervisor about planning for
termination with clients.
e-facilitate effective transitions and endings that
advance mutually agreed-on goals.
__Work with clients to transition services when
they transition from your service.
Weeks 5 and 6 focus on intervention with
assignments of blogs and process recordings.
Week 9 focuses on termination (ending services)
with clients.
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you intervene
with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations (be specific):
For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you apply appropriate intervention strategies:
For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)
Social Work Core Competency 9- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Expected Behaviors – You will be
evaluated on these at the end of the
quarter
Agency Activities to help you achieve the Field Course Assignments – Complete
expected behaviors- Check all that apply these in the course when assigned.
a-select and use appropriate methods for
evaluation outcomes.
__Explore how the agency assesses outcomes for
its clients and discuss with supervisor.
b-apply knowledge of human behavior and the
social environment, person-in-environment, and
other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
the evaluation of outcomes.
__Explore if funding sources at the agency require
certain outcomes and discuss with supervisor.
Agency presentation will have you explore the
funding sources for your agency, which may tie to
their client success/outcomes.
__Meet with clients to assess the progress of their
goals and make changes in treatment plans as
necessary.
SOCW 6510 (Field II) Second 11 weeks
c-critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate
intervention and program processes and
outcomes.
d-apply evaluation findings to improve practice
effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro
level.
__Evaluate how support resources support client
needs.
SOCW 6500 (Field I) First 11 weeks
Weeks 7 and 8 focus on evaluation of client
success with assignments of blog posts and
process recordings.
Add other activities here:
For Student: After Reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you evaluate
your practice and outcomes with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (be specific).
For Students: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you understand how to evaluate clients and other systems:
For Students: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:
Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)
Signature Page
X
X
X
Student’s Signature
Printed Name
Date
X
X
X
Faculty Liaison’s Signature
Printed Name
Date
X
X
X
Field Instructor’s Signature
Printed Name
Date
The Field Office accepts e-signatures, so feel free to type in your full name and email as your official signature.
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