All social work practice, from intervention to how payments or reimbursements are made, is regulated by social policies. Professionals, however, cannot arbitrarily select which policy to follow in any circumstance; knowing what comprises a given policy is essential, but equally important is understanding how to amend a policy by applying unique skills that reflect the social work profession’s shared values and beliefs. Recognizing that a series of interdependent social policies govern every aspect of social work in both nonprofit and public organizations, this practice-specific textbook focuses on influencing social policies in an agency setting or through formal governmental processes.
The Handbook for Policy Practice explores a wide range of topics that are critical tools in every social worker’s policy practice repertoire: · Recognizing the various social justice theories and their role in social policy. · Understanding critical thinking as a practice skill. · Social media as a practice tool. · Preparing and presenting testimony to a legislative committee or group of people. · Formulating a clear, well-focused written policy brief for a Board of Directors or legislative committee. · Organizing policy specific advocacy activities including a public forum, social work day at the legislature, and voter registration projects. · The ＂30-second elevator speech.＂ · Writing newspaper ＂op-eds＂ and ＂letters to the editor.＂
Purposefully, the Handbook also relies on information comes from the digital world. Using the web as a primary source builds on the social work profession’s long-held belief to begin where the client is. Using the links to the various data and citation sources, readers will learn to identify and discern the features of a valid web site. As a whole, this book is an essential resource for all BSW and MSW students.
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