SOWK 562
Catalogue Description
Program and intervention development and evaluation research in health settings. Issues and skill development in program design and methods for evaluation.
Course Description
This course is designed to equip you with knowledge and skills necessary to systematically develop, implement, and evaluate health-related programs, services, and interventions.
Health care payers, providers, consumers, policymakers, and the general public are increasingly focused on assessing the costs, quality, and outcomes of health services. At the same time, health care service systems are becoming more complex, serving increasingly diverse populations, and facing multiple and conflicting demands from various stakeholders. Calls for “empirically-based practice” are becoming strong determinants of the types of services that will, or will no longer, be provided as part of the delivery of health care services in the US. Thus, evidence-based program development is potentially powerful in helping to legitimize and advance psychosocial practice and services in health care.
This course will enhance your ability to provide leadership in advancing these issues in the practice communities where you may find yourself working. It will be imperative for you to be able to (1) conduct health needs assessment, (2) develop, implement and monitor health programs, (3) evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of health programs, and (4) analyze research results as a basis in advocating for programs delivered by social work practitioners.
Course Objectives
Objective #
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Objectives
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1
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Teach skills in problem formulation, program development, resource procurement and program implementation as a means for promoting social justice, social change, promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease.
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2
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Teach a range of techniques and skills necessary to advocate at the interpersonal, organizational, inter-organization, and community levels on behalf of diverse populations with special attention to eliminating structural barriers that limit service delivery to disadvantaged and underserved populations such as severe and/or chronically ill persons, women, children, older people, gay/lesbian, and oppressed racial/ethnic minorities.
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3
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Teach program planning & evaluation skills and provide students with opportunities to apply such skills in evaluating social work programs and interventions in health-related settings, including development of research designs, program monitoring systems, and data analysis.
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4
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Teach students to critically evaluate and select methodologies used in social work research to inform micro, mezzo, and macro level practice, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and provide opportunities for students to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each, including sensitivity to ethical, multicultural, gender, race, class, sexual orientation, and disability issues.
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The format of the course will consist of didactic instruction and experiential exercises. Material from the field will be used to illustrate class content and to provide integration between class and field. Confidentiality of material shared in class will be maintained. As class discussion is an integral part of the learning process, students are expected to come to class ready to discuss required reading and its application to theory and practice.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student learning for this course relates to one or more of the following nine social work core competencies:
Social Work Core Competencies
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SOWK 632
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Course Objective
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1
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Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
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*
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1
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2
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Engage in Diversity and Difference in Practice
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*
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2, 4
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3
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Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
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|
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4
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Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
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*
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3, 4
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5
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Engage in Policy Practice
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|
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6
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Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
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|
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7
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Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
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*
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3, 4
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8
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Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
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9
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Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
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*
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3, 4
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* Highlighted in this course
The following table explains the highlighted competencies for this course, the related student learning outcomes, and the method of assessment.
Competencies/ Knowledge, Values, Skills
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Student Learning Outcomes
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Method of Assessment
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1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior:
Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
Understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas
Recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values and understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior
Understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession
Understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams
Recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure they are relevant and effective
Understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in social work practice
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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
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication;
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes;
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
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2. Engage in Diversity and Difference in Practice:
Understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status.
Understand that, as a consequence of difference, a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, power, and acclaim.
Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power.
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Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences;
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
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Assignments 1-5
Class Participation
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4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice:
Understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of social work and in evaluating their practice.
Know the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge.
Understand that evidence that informs practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing.
Understand the processes for translating research findings into effective practice.
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Use practice experience and
theory to inform scientific inquiry
and research.
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Assignments 1-5
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Apply critical thinking to engage
in analysis of quantitative and
qualitative research methods
and research findings.
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Assignments 1-5
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Use and translate research
evidence to inform and improve
practice, policy, and service
delivery.
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Assignments 1-5
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7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities:
Understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Understand methods of assessment with diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness.
Recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process.
Understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their assessment and decision-making.
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Collect and organize data, and apply
critical thinking to interpret
information from clients and
constituencies
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Assignments 1-5
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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.
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Assignments 1-5
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Develop mutually agreed-on
intervention goals and objectives
based on the critical assessment of
strengths, needs, and challenges
within clients and constituencies.
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Assignments 1-5
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Select appropriate intervention
strategies based on the assessment,
research knowledge, and values and
preferences of clients and
constituencies.
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Assignments 1-5
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9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities:
Understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Recognize the importance of evaluating processes and outcomes to advance practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness.
Understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes.
Understand qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness.
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Select and use appropriate methods
for evaluation of outcomes.
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Assignments 1-5
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Apply knowledge of human behavior
and the social environment, person
in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in the evaluation of
outcomes.
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Assignments 1-5
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Critically analyze, monitor, and
evaluate intervention and program
Processes and outcomes.
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Assignments 1-5
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Apply evaluation findings to improve
practice effectiveness at the micro,
mezzo, and macro levels.
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Assignments 1-5
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Course Assignments, Due Dates & Grading
Assignment
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Due Date
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% of Final Grade
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Assignment #1: Class Participation
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Ongoing
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15%
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Assignment #2: Program Analysis
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Week 6
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20%
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Assignment #3: Evidenced Based Program Proposal
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TBD
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20%
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Assignment #4: Logic Model
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Last Class
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10%
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Assignment #5: Client Satisfaction Survey
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Last Class
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25%
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Assigned Readings
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Ongoing
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10%
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These assignments provide an opportunity to apply course learning in a practice area of special interest to the students. Students will be working individually or in groups throughout the semester on these assignments. Any group grade will reflect identical grade points for every member of the group. Every member of the group is responsible for reading and proofreading every section of the paper. Any plagiarism or problem is a group problem as are all achievements. Each of the major assignments is described below.
Assignment 1: Class Participation- Every Class Ongoing
Your active engagement in this class is considered essential to your growth as a practitioner. Opportunities to be engaged in discussion will be presented in each class including large group discussions, breakout rooms, and polls. Social workers are expected to engage in professional and ethical behavior. In compliance with this competency area, respectful discourse is expected. Expression of varying professional perspectives is likely and encouraged. When appropriate opposing perspectives should be communicated respectfully.
Your presence in class, and preparation for discussion is required. Preparation includes having read and completed the asynchronous material. Students must abide by all VAC classroom decorum guidelines.
Due: Ongoing
This assignment relates to student learning outcome 1, 2, 4, 7 & 9
Assignment 2: Program Analysis Worksheet
The purpose of this assignment is for the student to analyze the agency in which they are placed for field for the purpose of understanding the capacity for program planning and evaluation. Students will also present their findings to the class thereby increasing their classmate’s familiarity with various types of social work programs and how those programs are planned and evaluated.
Social workers are responsible for evaluating and assessing their practice. In compliance with these competency areas, this assignment aims to increase the student’s familiarity with concepts related to program planning and evaluation as it relates to their fieldwork placement.
This assignment relates to student learning outcome 1, 2, 4, 7 & 9
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