ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a reliable way to monitor a client's progress toward each objective set down in the Individualized Service Plan or Treatment Plan. Evidence from research confirms that when social workers participate in frequent monitoring of clients’ actions and progress, desirable behaviors are promoted. This is proven in child welfare settings and several others. Self-monitoring is key. This chapter provides a model self-monitoring log, which when used—sometimes with a client diary—strengthens the client's self-confidence and improves consistency of the effort to meet objectives. The log and diary are tools clarifying clients’ observations of their own target behaviors, whether those occurred before the social work intervention or after. The two also help the client recognize when newly learned skills (that is, skills introduced in the course of the intervention) have proved productive. Equipped with the information in the self-monitoring log and diary, the client and social worker join forces to compare patterns in the client's behavior before and during the intervention. Regardless of whether the patterns suggest clear progress, or difficulty making progress, the social worker continually expresses support for the client.
