Competency 1–Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

I currently work with clients and practice confidentiality. In my professional behavior I

dress in a professional manner and I go to trainings frequently, when time allows, to advance my
skills and knowledge in field practice. I have completed several ethics trainings along with
college courses in ethics. I demonstrate ethical behavior with technology by not posting anything
about my work. I do not discuss clients outside of my work supervisor or clinician. I have taken
courses about history of social work and the responsibilities of the profession itself.

Competency 2 –Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Human behavior and the social environment and diversity courses allowed me to
immerse myself in the Latino/Latina, disabled, and hospice populations. I have taken
supplemental cultural trainings at work to further my knowledge of diverse populations. I seek
other people’s experiences about diversity and differences to learn as much as I can about
different challenges they have.

Competency 3 –Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

I am taking a social issue and policy course right now. I have taken a community
organization course and attended legislative forums to learn more about policy and social justice.
I pass along services recommendations to people who need them, so they have their basic needs
met even through hard times.

Competency 4 –Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

I have taken a digital research course and learned how to research topics and write
papers. Currently my job is being researched to see if it qualifies as an evidenced based practice
for the state of Iowa.

Competency 5 –Engage in Policy Practice

I have learned about the Family First Act and gone to trainings with the director of
Department of Human Services to explain what those changes will look like to those working in
the field. It is important for me to know what is being discussed in the legislature because those
changes impact how I work with clients.

Competency 6 –Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and

Communities

In my role as a parent partner I engage with clients and families daily. I build
interpersonal relationships with my clients and learn what their strengths are. I have taken
courses like intro to counseling and interviewing and learned how to engage the people I work
with in a trusting relationship.

Competency 7 –Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

 By getting to know my clients I am able to find out more about their culture and abilities.
We discuss together what they are willing to change and what they do not identify with as
problems in their lives. We identify goals together and I help the clients achieve success through
the changes they have made in their lives.

Competency 8 –Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and

Communities

Professionally I have had to intervene with clients whom have relapsed. We identify what
happened and how we can prevent it again in the future. Personally, I have held an intervention
with someone who had threatened suicide. I was very nervous to conduct an intervention, but I
knew it was the right thing to do. It actually turned out well because I explained to the other
participants what the goal was going to be and what not to do or how not to act.

Competency 9 –Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and

Communities

Professionally when a client’s case closes with Parent Partners, we give evaluation
paperwork to the clients. We access them at the intake and at the exit. Then the state coordinator
collects all the data to see how we can improve the program and what is working well about the
program.