This competency helps ensure that social workers understand that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. By meeting this competency I demonstrate the understanding of my role in policy development and implementation within my practice settings. As a social worker I vow to actively engage in policy practice to effect change within my client setting.
Competency:
Engage in Policy Practice
Practice Behaviors:
1. Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services.
2. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.
3. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
Evidence Based Learning:
1.I demonstrated this competency in my internship by suggesting possible edits to the SUCCESS Program. In the classroom I demonstrated this by going to Washington, D.C. and advocating on behalf of a policy. Here is the flyer that my group and I created to advocate for this policy.
2. In order to fulfill the requirements for this practice behavior I identified three factors that affected my client’s accessibility to social services, and I shared these with my supervisor. In the classroom I demonstrated this by assessing the policy mentioned above.
3. I researched local policies that affect Bethel’s client population, and I shared these with my supervisor. In the classroom I demonstrated this by conducting research on Welfare Reform, and having a debate to prove the program’s effectiveness. Here is my written debate product.