How clinical social workers evaluate practice

This study sought to determine how psychodynamically oriented clinical social workers formulate problems, monitor progress, and evaluate change in their own words. Drawing from a purposive national sample of 29 clinicians, this qualitative study found strong engagement in empirically grounded practice evaluation. Problems formulation was portrayed as a complex, challenging process that may take some time; monitoring of progress and summative evaluation were ongoing and not seen as distinct processes. Managed care influenced most of the sample's views regarding evaluation, but master's level training was not portrayed as a strong influence on practice evaluation.     

Blueprint for Creating a Social Work-Centered Disaster Relief Initiative

Abstract

The damage to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast caused by Hurricane Katrina and the resulting need for comprehensive and sustained assistance to affected communities and families revealed limitations in conventional disaster responses. A blueprint for creating a disaster relief initiative was developed by a school of social work and a local human service organization. This, then, became the impetus for creating a three-stage, family-focused, extended disaster relief initiative. Using ecological theory and service-learning as frameworks, the initiative helped address the needs of families who moved to Athens, Georgia in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The responsive, adaptable, and sustainable nature of this model in addressing both immediate and long-term needs of the families is presented. Process evaluation and data on the helpfulness of the model by stakeholders who participated in the project are also provided. Implications are directed to social workers, educators, helping professionals, and policymakers who respond to such disasters .     

Athena's Legacy: Preparing Women for a Mentoring Program

ABSTRACT

A community-based research study conducted in 2004 identified a number of women from disadvantaged communities who sought mentoring in personal, educational, and vocational aspects of their lives. Informed by this earlier research, a program titled Map Your Future was developed, and a pilot mentoring program commenced in 2005. This article describes the group program that was developed to prepare the women for a mentoring relationship, and the research methodology underpinning its development. It concludes with an exploration of the women's experiences of the program.     

Editorial

No abstract available for this article.