week 3 post 1

Analyze the administrator's role in ensuring that evidence-based practices are being utilized within an agency. How can administrators stay up-to-date on current research within the field and why is this important?

Breanna Williams

Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

Administrators are an essential part of the social work field, they not only ensure that evidence-based practices are being used, but they also work on budgets, design programs for individuals, and ensure everything is working efficiently. Farley, Smith, & Boyle (2011) explain that administration is responsible for transforming policies into social services and using experiences to recommend any modifications to the policy. In order for this to be done, administrators need to stay up-to-date with the current research. There are many different outlets that can help an administrator stay current with today’s research, such as journal articles, social media platforms, newsletters, government databases, and organizations (University of Michigan Library, 2021). These sources allow for the administrator to review the latest developments in social work so that they can apply them to their organization or agency. Staying up-to-date with evidence-based practices is important to social workers so that they are able to evaluate whether or not the practices and research are effective and if they are it leads to effective treatments and services. One part of the administrative team is supervisors who are considered a major part of social work that assists staff development and performance (Farley, Smith, & Boyle, 2011). They are considered teachers and are constantly staying up-to-date on their own learning in order to better aid those they teach. Supervisors balance hands-on learning with evaluations to determine the effectiveness of the learning process. By utilizing evidence-based practices a supervisor is able to research and implicate effective policies and procedures to the social workers who work in the field.

Gabriela Thompson

Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

Hello everyone,

According to this week’s material, evidence-based practice is the planned use of intervention methods and supported assessments. It utilizes current empirical information to aid social workers in assessing and intervening on their clients’ behalf (Farley, Smith, & Boyle, 2011). The administration's role in ensuring that evidence-based practices are being utilized is implementing evidence-based practices into agency policies. In order to ensure that the clients are receiving the best services possible, the administration must have a detailed knowledge of the current evidence-based practices that can be utilized and ensure that the social workers are provided with the training needed to execute these practices successfully. Administrators can stay up to date on the most recent evidence-based practices through the use of academic journals, government webpages, and training seminars. Evidence-based practices are crucial for social workers as they allow them to conduct interventions through proven and supported practices.