Young adult in a power wheel chair uses his computer at home.

Competency Area 10: Administrative Skills

This competency area focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that youth service professionals need to complete and manage administrative duties associated with their work, including processing referrals, keeping customer files, completing reports, and communicating effectively and working well with others. Click on individual competencies listed below for learning objectives, professional development activities, and resources for that specific competency or scroll down to read them all. Note: The letter “D” indicates a competency specific to youth with disabilities.

10.1 Ability to complete referrals and service summaries using common reporting formats and requirements

10.1 Ability to complete referrals and service summaries using common reporting formats and requirements

Learning Objectives

  • 10.1.1 Complete appropriate referrals and service summaries using common reporting formats and requirements

Selected Activities

  • Research or locate referral and service forms used by organizations that provide services youth need but cannot access at your organization

Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!

  • Complete the forms using real (but anonymous) or fictitious records
  • Design an “ideal” referral form and share with one partner organization for their feedback

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

Other Resources

10.2 Written and verbal communication skills

10.2 Written and verbal communication skills

Learning Objectives

  • 10.2.1 Model effective written and verbal communication skills

Selected Activities

  • Prepare a white paper on a topic of interest
  • Prepare an oral presentation on a topic of interest
    (Note: Participants could be told that they will not be given separate writing and speaking assignments for this competency but will be evaluated on all the writing and speaking assignments they are given over the duration of the course)

Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!

  • Give the presentation to your peers
  • Provide feedback on a peer’s white paper; then have the peer comment on yours and make improvements based on feedback

Other Resources

10.3 Time management skills

10.3 Time management skills

Learning Objectives

  • 10.3.1 Model effective time management skills

Selected Activities

  • Examine the use of calendars, to do lists, the “one touch” technique, and other print tools
  • Examine potential time management tools such as Microsoft Project and PDAs
  • Try one new time management technique for a week; reflect on whether or not it worked for you

Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!

  • Create a schedule for your next week’s activities; after the week, examine how closely your actual work mirrored your schedule
    (Note: Assignments and activities that are completed on time may demonstrate this competency)

Other Resources

  • Mind Tools Ltd. Time Management Skills.  [One of a number of management, career, and thinking skill improvement ideas in this toolkit resource.]
  • Ward, S. Time Management. [Improvement ideas on time management, increasing productivity, and related topics.]
  • Ward, S. Time Management Tips.
10.4 Strong interpersonal skills/ability to work within a team

10.4 Strong interpersonal skills/ability to work within a team

Learning Objectives

  • 10.4.1 Model strong interpersonal skills/ability to work within a team

Selected Activities

  • Take the Jung Typology Test
  • Practice administering a number of carefully selected assessments

Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!

  • Discuss your strengths and weaknesses as applied to working within a team
    (Note: Some assignments for the course should also be team assignments, which can be used to demonstrate learning for this competency. )

Other Resources

10.5D Ability to complete disability-specific referrals and service summaries, such as IEP, transition plan, IPE, and individualized work plan (IWP)

10.5D Ability to complete disability-specific referrals and service summaries, such as IEP, transition plan, IPE, and individualized work plan (IWP)

Learning Objectives

  • 10.5.D.1 Complete appropriate disability-specific referrals and service summaries, such as IEP, transition plan, IPE, and individualized work plan (IWP)

Selected Activities

Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!

  • Create an IEP based on existing students or case study

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

Other Resources