95 Activities for Mastering Social Work Skills
Research eligibility requirements for services outside the agency
Take public transportation from home to the Department of Social Services
Walk around a neighborhood where many clients live
Spend a day at a food pantry
Visit the shelters in the community
Spend an afternoon at a WIC clinic
Assess client suitability for particular treatment (ex., group)
Assess a client using an eco-map or other assessment tool to determine strengths and intervention needs
Provide information to client regarding policies and services of the agency
Explain managed care benefits and policies to client
Complete “hot line” training or suicide prevention training
Assess the nature and severity of a client’s crisis situation
Assess a client’s use of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescribed medication
Assess the impact of addiction on client’s family
Perform a mental status exam
Obtain and formally write up a client’s biopsychosocial history
Assess the significance of cultural background to a client
Assess the significance of spiritual beliefs to a client
Gather and verify information about a client from collateral sources
Identify client’s use of defense mechanisms
Administer standardized instruments to measure client symptoms or behaviors
Assess client symptoms using DSM criteria
Develop a treatment plan based on diagnostic assessment
Assess need for Child Abuse Report
Assess parenting skills
Assess client’s ability to perform daily living skills
Develop measurable objectives to assess client change
Develop a time frame for intervention
Help parents to understand child development
Engage client in goal setting
Describe (in supervision) developmental issues relevant to client
Process recording of observed intervention
Process recording of own intervention
Process recording of staff meeting
Teach client communication skills
Teach client daily living skills
Arrange transportation for a client
Assist client to understand the implications of a medical or psychological report
Assist client to obtain needed resources
Update agency resource manual
Develop a resource list for a client for a particular problem
Observe a medication review
Observe parent interaction with children
Observe clients in classrooms or other group settings
Arrange for interpretation services for a client
Observe family court sessions
Observe a group and describe interaction patterns
Help group members understand their patterns of interaction
Develop curriculum for a group
Help a client advocate for their rights
Provide outreach services
Make home visits
Provide case management or intensive case management
Refer clients for services
Follow up on referrals
Write a discharge or transfer summary
Provide feedback to client about progress toward goals
Provide testimony in court
Provide testimony at a public hearing
Write a letter to the editor regarding a service issue
Write a letter to state or federal representatives advocating for resources
Write an article for the agency newsletter
Participate in the planning of a workshop or conference
Collaborate with other to address a community need
Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team
Participate as a member of a multi-agency team
Facilitate a team meeting
Provide an in-service training
Participate in QA processes such as chart reviews
Prepare budget materials
Participate in development or revision of agency policy manuals
Advocate for policy change
Develop and write proposals for funding
Review proposals for funding
Develop program brochures
Make presentations in the community “selling” the agency or its programs
Develop measurable outcomes for evaluating a program
Review contracts to monitor agency compliance
Use research to support program planning
Create an organizational flow chart
Redesign an agency form
Analyze relative costs of service program alternatives
Recruit volunteers
Provide training to volunteers or staff
Provide supervision to volunteers or staff
Conduct performance appraisals of volunteers or staff
Participate in hiring interviews
Attend board meeting
Cover a shift at the receptionist desk
Read the Code of Ethics of other professionals working on the team
Journal
Participate in an intern peer support group: take turns chairing the meeting
Attend community cultural events related to the cultural background of current clients
Attend religious services at a faith community which is part of many client’s support system
Organize an activity or field trip for residents or participants