Evaluation of a Continuing Education Training on Client Financial Capability

Abstract

The researchers conducted an evaluation study assessing outcomes among 37 social workers who completed a continuing education course on financial capability and working with clients. Key constructs assessed included participants’ attitudes about financial capability, self-efficacy to provide services, organizational barriers, and basic financial knowledge. Social work participants reported that financial problems among their clients were almost unanimous as a reason for seeking services. Organizational barriers, such as lack of time and access to staff with financial knowledge, prevented social workers from providing client financial services. At follow-up, social workers reported improved personal financial knowledge and behaviors. Suggestions for future research and improving social work continuing education and integrating financial capability into the social work curriculum in academic settings are suggested.

Notes

¹ When the training was first offered, it was titled Financial Stability for Clients. In 2011 the title was renamed Financial Capability for Clients.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported in part by the Financial Social Work Initiative, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore (http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/fsw).

Notes on contributors

Jodi Jacobson Frey

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.

Deborah Svoboda

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.

Rebecca L. Sander

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.

Philip J. Osteen

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.

Christine Callahan

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.

Audrey Elkinson

Jodi Jacobson Frey is associate professor, Christine Callahan is research assistant professor, and Audrey Elkinson is MSW graduate at the University of Maryland. Deborah Svoboda is assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. Rebecca L. Sander is director of field education at California State University, Long Beach. Philip J. Osteen is assistant professor at Florida State University.