July 2025: Competency 7

EPAS Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 

The CSWE Center for Diversity and Social & Economic Justice is proud to announce a new initiative that will highlight one key 2022 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) competency each month. This ongoing commitment aims to foster a deeper understanding and application of social work competencies in a way that supports social justice and equity across all areas of social work practice. We are especially pleased that the 2022 EPAS articulate a clear commitment of social work education to principles of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The month of July 2025 we highlight EPAS Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities  

Within Competency 7, social workers are called to consider assessment with various practice populations. Social workers apply theories of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as other culturally responsive and interprofessional conceptual frameworks, when assessing clients and constituencies; and demonstrate respect for client self-determination during the assessment process by collaborating with clients and constituencies in developing a mutually agreed-upon plan. 

In July, the nation’s attention turns to our founding, and an opportunity to assess where we started as a nation, how we are doing currently, and what our future prospects are. Social workers appreciate very much the freedoms that are enshrined in the constitution. We hold ourselves, our profession and our country to account so that we keep front and center the goal of ensuring that everyone is to be treated with dignity and respect, to have basic human rights, and that there is never a cessation of efforts to assess our state of affairs and work to course correct whenever we fall short in that goal.  

Assessment is a central aspect of social work practice because it follows the step of excellence in engaging our clients and constituents and generates the essential data which can then be used to develop the most responsive and effective, mutually agreed-upon plan of intervention. Just as the founding of our nation was predicated on a chosen path of self-determination, a path which ultimately liberated us from tyranny, so too there must be respect for client and constituent self-determination, and a comprehensive assessment of systemic forces impeding their growth and progress. 

July is also Disability Pride Month, which celebrates the achievements and experiences of people with disabilities as well as the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Integral to achieving the most thorough assessment is the respect for self-determination which must be afforded to clients and constituents of diverse backgrounds, experiencing a range of social and economic justice issues. While existing theories of human behavior and person-in-environment can serve as a starting point, much more bold and diligent effort must be exerted towards the development of and meaningful incorporation of culturally responsive and interprofessional conceptual frameworks to undergird the assessment. When thinking about the population of people with disabilities, the planned change process, which includes assessment, may look less linear as every client is different and their needs and lived experiences may require a different path to achieving their goals. Being flexible within social work practice allows clients to have self-determination and culturally responsive interactions that can have a positive impact on the working relationship and client outcomes.  

What has been an effective assessment tool/approach for the examination of systemic forces of oppression impacting the lives of your clients and constituents? Which culturally responsive frameworks have resonated with your clients and constituents during assessment?  

Each month we highlight literature, blogs, or other resource related to EPAS competencies. This month we highlight the following Journal of Social Work Education articles related to Competency 7: 

Literature Resources

A Model for Social Work Practice with Disability Communities: Connecting Critical Cultural Competence, Intersectionality and Anti-Oppressive Practice 

Elspeth Slayter; Rose Singh; and Lisa Johnson 

This chapter introduces a comprehensive practice model grounded in intersectionality, cultural humility, and anti-oppressive frameworks tailored to those working with disability communities in social work. The model emphasizes the importance of self-determination and collaboration within the client-social worker relationship. The practice approach illustrates interventions at multiple levels—from roleplay skill building to family and workplace advocacy—ensuring social workers address both individual and societal barriers. Throughout, the chapter highlights how professionals can respectfully navigate client relationships while allowing individuals to have autonomy over their situation.  

Full Citation:  

Slayter, E., Singh, R., & Johnson, L. (n.d.). A Model for Social Work Practice with Disability Communities: Connecting Critical Cultural Competence, Intersectionality and Anti-Oppressive Practice. In Rotel Project. essay. Retrieved 2025, from https://rotel.pressbooks.pub/disabilitysocialwork/chapter/chapter-2/.  


Building Multicultural Humility: The Role of a Clinician’s Intersectionality of Identities and Privilege Awareness in the Therapeutic Alliance & Clinical Practice

Samuel Murad-Martinez 

This qualitative study explores how clinicians in training understand and experience multiculturalism in relation to their therapeutic relationships. Using a phenomenological approach, six participants from Adler University reflected on their identities, privilege awareness, and how these factors influenced their clinical work. Four major themes emerged: identity exploration, awareness of privilege, enhancement of clinical practice, and application of the intersectionality model in therapy. The findings highlight the importance of the use of cultural humility as a framework and the need for self-reflection when working with diverse populations.  

Full Citation:  

Murad-Martinez, Samuel. Adler University ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,  2022. 29397381.