I. Introduction (15 points)
A. Describe the purpose and rationale for the paper. Briefly state the main issue/problem that is
discussed in the paper. Provide national data. For example, if you are working with an adolescent
who is depressed, include national statistics about the epidemiology of depression among young
people.
B. Describe the client system (e.g., individual, family, other small group, larger group, team, program,
agency, organization or community) and the client’s situation that is the reason for your
intervention. It can be helpful if you situate yourself in the situation—how are you involved in the
situation? In general, this section should take no more than two to three pages of the paper.
II. Apply, synthesize and analyze knowledge, theory, and skills in relation to the client system from each of the four content areas:
A. Human Behavior and the Social Environment (10 points)
(1) Select and describe at least 3 human behavior theories relevant to the practice
situation you discussed. Do not use dictionary or Wikipedia definitions for theories.
Citing your textbooks and other books and journal articles is essential.
For each theory provide a rationale for your theory selection. Discuss your decision-
making process.
Apply each theory to your practice situation. Be sure that your discussion of human
behavior theory links well to the practice situation.
For one of the three theories, analyze and provide evidence-based knowledge to support the theory. Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data; and web sites. There should be emphasis on evidence-based knowledge.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge and the resources available
with regard to the selected theory.
Include any other discussion or information or analysis that you think is relevant.
B. Social Policy (10 points)
(1) Select and discuss at least 3 social policies relevant to the practice situation. Briefly
present each of these polices using appropriate references. This policy section refers to state and federal policies (laws and regulations) not agency policy. Be sure to cite the laws and policies correctly (as you should with all literature you reference).
(2) For each policy, provide a rationale for your policy selection. Discuss your decision-
making process.
(3) Apply each policy you discussed to your client situation. Be sure that your discussion of
policy links well to the client situation.
(4) For one of the three policies, analyze in more detail, providing evidenced-based
knowledge about the policy and its effectiveness. Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data; and web sites.
While this is not expected in the space available to be a full policy analysis, you should draw on one of the policy analysis models with which you are familiar, and reference the model fully.
(5) Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge and the resources available
with regard to the selected policy.
(6) Include any other discussion, information, or analysis that you think is relevant.
C. Practice (15 points) BASED DIRECT PRACTCE WITH CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
FAMIIES CONCENTRAION
Micro Theories (15 points)
(1) Select and discuss at least 3 relevant practice theories relevant to the practice situation.
Do not use dictionary or Wikipedia definitions for theories. Citing your textbooks is appropriate and necessary, but you should have references beyond just the text book to indicate that you have read more widely than just the course texts.
(2) Provide a rationale for your theory selection. Discuss your decision-making process.
(3) Apply the three practice theories to the practice situation.
(4) For one of the three theories, analyze and provide evidence-based knowledge about the practice theory and its effectiveness. Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data; and web sites.
(5) Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge available with regard to the selected practice theory.
(6) Select and discuss at least 3 practice skills relevant to the practice situation.
(7) Provide a rationale for your skill selection. Discuss your decision-making process
(8) Apply the skills you discussed to your practice situation. Be sure that your discussion of
skills links well to the practice situation.
(9) For one of the three three practice skills, analyze and provide evidenced-based knowledge about the practice skill and its effectiveness.. Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data; and web sites.
(10) Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge available with regard to the
the selected practice skill.
(11) Include any other discussion, information or analysis that you think is relevant.
D. Research & Evaluation. (10 points)
Select and discuss an evaluation relevant to the practice situation and the intervention
employed. In this section of the paper, you are to evaluate your intervention with the client
system.
Use the evidence-based approach relevant to the practice situation. Consult a literature
review, meta-analysis or systematic review of any issues relating to their case, but
preferably those related to outcome effectiveness of the practice interventions.
Be sure to include well referenced and evidenced-based examples of how research
knowledge impacts practice. Your discussion of research must link well to the practice
situation.
Provide a rationale for your evaluation selection. Discuss your decision-making process.
Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books,
peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data;
and web sites. There should be an emphasis on evidence-based knowledge.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge and professional skills, and the
resources available.
Include any other discussion or information or analysis that you think is relevant.
IV. Issues of Social and Economic Justice (10 points)
A. Discuss and analyze what issues related to your practice situation (rather than just general
practice intervention) pertained to social and economic justice. e.g. How did they arise?
Incorporate discussion of distributive justice and other aspects of socio-economic justice. Was
access to resources limited by policies or practice?
B. Was the intervention empowering or was it discriminatory or oppressive in any way?
Discuss how the issues of social and economic justice and human and civil rights may relate to
the practice situation?
C. Include a carefully referenced comprehensive range of literature sources, including books,
peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, government documents, reports and data;
and web sites. There should be an emphasis on evidence-based knowledge.
D. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge and professional skills, and the
resources available.
E. Include any other discussion or information or analysis that you think is relevant.
V. Diversity (10 points)
A. Discuss and evaluate issues of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure,
gender marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation as applicable
to your practice system and interventions.
B. Be sure that your discussion of diversity links well with the practice situation.
C. Include carefully referenced literature sources. Sources should include a comprehensive range
of sources, including: books; peer-reviewed journal articles; research studies; government
documents, reports and data; and web sites. There should be emphasis on evidence-based
knowledge.
D. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current knowledge and professional skills, and the
resources available.
E. Include any other discussion or information or analysis that you think is relevant.
VI. Ethics and Values (10 points)
A. Discuss and analyze professional ethics and values applicable in this practice situation in
relation to the NASW and other professional codes of ethics as well as the literature on
this topic.
B. Apply the professional ethics and values specifically to the practice situation.
C. Be sure to reference the NASW Code of Ethics.
VII. Conclusions (10 points)
A. Evaluate what was the most significant learning for you in this assignment. Explain the
criteria used for this evaluation?
B. Professional Development and Lifelong Learning: Evaluate the impact of the practice
situation and assignment on your learning and future professional development?. Discuss
how this assignment raises issues of professional strengths and challenges? How do you
plan to build on the strengths and address the challenges in your future professional
development?
The final document must be prepared using the
APA style and 12-point font and consist of 25-30 double-spaced pages (not including references or a cover page).
