Changing the Heart of Social Policy-Making: A New Approach to Serve a Disappointed Public

Effective social policy-making has been debated for decades by policy-makers, scholars, and the general public. As elected officials have lost sight of their purpose in a climate of extreme polarization and partisan politics, disappointment and distrust of our government institutions have swelled. This book highlights the importance of a change in the hearts and minds of legislators and provides a new perspective on addressing the public’s desire for more effective and humane social policies.

Covering the legislative and social policy making process from a historical and contemporary perspective, this book identifies powerful interest groups and corporate dollars which influence our legislative process and erode sound policy ideas and solutions. The book also explores a new generation of youth voters which can influence election and policy outcomes; the current mental health crisis; and the importance of evidence-based research in designing social policies. Several topics are illuminated by real-life experiences, case studies and practical guidelines.

Catherine E. Johnson lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Throughout her professional life, she has functioned in various professional capacities, including as a mental health worker, social worker, research associate, program evaluator, public administrator, and adjunct professor at Temple University, New York University and Penn State (Abington).