Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 1
Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Behavior 1

■ 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.

– Uphold the NASW Code of Ethics, make ethical decisions based on the NASW Code
of Ethics when ethical dilemmas are encountered as well as discuss such dilemmas
with supervisor for further action.
Behavior 2

■ 1.2. Use reflection and self- regulation to manage personal values and maintain
professionalism in practice situations.

– Keep a journal that records daily reflections, discuss present and future actions/
concerns with supervisor, as well as seek guidance from appropriate advocates and
supervisor when needed.
Behavior 3

■ 1.3. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written,

and electronic communication.

– Dress in accordance to the agency’s business casual dress code, adhere to the
work hours established with the supervisor, and answer phone calls, emails, and
text messages in a professional and appropriate manner.
Behavior 4

■ 1.4. Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.

– Use phones and other technology for agency related use only, and avoid cellphone
use while with a client or other advocates.
Behavior 5

■ 1.5. Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

– Seek advice and guidance from supervisor when handling clients, helping other
advocates, or for personal knowledge.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 2
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Behavior 1

■ 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.

– Be aware of the diversity in the community of Robeson County and take that into
consideration when creating programs/ classes in order to ensure that it is
universally understandable.
Behavior 2

■ 2.2. Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as

experts of their own experiences.

– Attend programs hosted by the agency and keep track of client needs mentioned
during such programs to help shape the curriculum of the programs I create during
my internship.
Behavior 3

■ 2.3. Apply self- awareness and self- regulation to manage the influence of personal
biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.

– Acknowledge and identify my personal values and beliefs presented while working
with clients and track them in my daily journals, as well as discuss them with my
supervisor.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 3
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and
Environmental Justice
Behavior 1

■ 3.1. Apply understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate

for human rights at the individual and system levels.

– Understand and identify client/ community diversity in order to personalize services

and appropriately assist them.
Behavior 2

■ 3.2. Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

– Attend agency hosted programs and assist in the creation of programs based on
client needs. For example, assist during the W.A.V.E program.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 4
Engage in Practice- informed Research and Research-
informed Practice
Behavior 1

■ 4.1. Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research.

– Use constructive criticism from supervisor and colleagues as learning experiences

in order to improve practice.
Behavior 2

■ 4.2. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative

research methods and research findings.

– Identify sources of knowledge for client solutions based on agency policy.

Behavior 3

■ 4.3. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and
service delivery.

– Discuss progress with supervisor and keep track of progress on a document.

 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 5
Engage in Policy Practice
Behavior 1

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

– Consistently familiarize self with state policies relevant to the agency and its impact
on community/ clients.
Behavior 2

■ 5.2. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and
access to social services.

– Learn to identify relevant resources for clients needs and identify the impact of such
resources, bringing them up with supervisor when necessary.
Behavior 3

■ 5.3. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that
advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

– Identify issues that impact community or clients at the agency, formulate possible
solutions, and advocate for change on an agency and community level.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 6
Engage in Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities
Behavior 1

■ 6.1. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with
clients and constituents.

– Practice knowledge obtained in class and research throughout agency practice and
clients to evaluate environmental impacts and potential resolutions.
Behavior 2

■ 6.2. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse
clients and constituencies.

– Always practice confidentiality, maintain rapport, and practice appropriate

boundaries with clients.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 7
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities
Behavior 1

■ 7.1. Collect and organize data and apply critical thinking to interpret information
form clients and constituencies.

– Gather information from clients in order to find proper resolutions based on needs
and goals to solve issues, like conducting a DVPO for those experiencing domestic
violence or referring them to legal aid if necessary.
Behavior 2

■ 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.

– Apply knowledge of theories and perspective on clients and their concerns while
identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
Behavior 3

■ 7.3. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the
critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and
constituencies.

– Identify and develop appropriate and clear service goals with not only clients, but
also self by establishing time goals and overall goals.
Behavior 4

■ Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research

knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

– Use appropriate intervention strategies based on prior knowledge and client needs.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 8
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities
Behavior 1

■ 8.1. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and
enhance capacities of clients and constituencies.

– Consistently evaluate efficiency and progress of intervention strategies and change

such strategies if necessary.
Behavior 2

■ 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.

– Use prior knowledge relevant to agency services to strive toward client goals.
Behavior 3

■ 8.3. Use inter- professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial

practice outcomes.

– Consistently seek advice from supervisor and colleagues to improve practice while
demonstrating appropriate communication skills.
Behavior 4

■ 8.4. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and
constituencies.

– Connect clients to appropriate resources if necessary and consistently advocate for

client rights on an agency and community level.
Behavior 5

■ 8.5. Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed- on
goals.

– Successfully asses goal attainment and terminate the helping process when
appropriate and necessary.
 Kimberly Zelaya

COMPETENCY 9
Evaluate practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities
Behavior 1

■ 9.1. Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes.

– Listen to the clients wants and needs in order to determine what the best route
would be for them to take- whether that be doing a DVPO, no contact order, or
pointing them to a different agency or route to solve their current issues.
Behavior 2

■ 9.2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of
outcomes.

– Always keep the clients environment and past/ current life experience in mind when
working with them, while keeping judgment and own opinions to self.
Behavior 3

■ 9.3. Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes
and outcomes.

– Keep up with clients through the course of their protection order process in the
agency and court system. This means attending Friday morning trial court to learn
the outcome of the clients case.
Behavior 4

■ 9.4. Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo,
and macro levels.

– Consistently monitor the effectiveness of the agencies services and make

suggestions when some need is not being met effectively or some need is missing.