ABSTRACT
Social work assessment is understood through the person-in-environment framework, an ecological approach that involves understanding and assessing the "goodness-of-fit" between an individual and his or her environment. Both the ecological and the strengths-based frameworks may be used to assess communities and groups as well as individuals. The community-needs assessment provides an additional method for assessing communities. The bio-psychosocial assessment addresses the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the client system in understanding needs and challenges. The ecological framework also utilizes visual tools to clarify the relationships between the client and various environmental entities. Developing an eco-map is a very empowering process, one that clients with most disabilities can readily accomplish, perhaps with some worker assistance. The strengths perspective is empowering; it encourages client self-determination and supports the dignity of and respect for clients that are foundational professional values in social work.
