Competency 5: Policy

Social justice is an important core value of social work, and social workers continuously advocate for human rights. Advocating for human rights requires knowledge and implementation of policy at  federal, state, and local levels. It is important for social workers to understand the history and current structure of social policies and services, as well as their role in implementing and developing policy. I will actively engage in policy at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and understand the multiple influences that affect policy. I will continue to formulate, analyze, implement, research, and evaluate policies within the context of my realm of practice. I will work towards advocating for clients by assisting in marketing and fundraising events, attending community events, and developing partnerships with other agencies. I will develop/revise and advocate for policies on a state and federal level by engaging in discussion with my legislators and supporting legislation that is beneficial to my clients. 

5.1 Advocate with and inform stakeholders to impact policy change

Course Evidence: In my Mental Health Emphasis class, I conducted a policy analysis on the Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (DMHT) in Tennessee and wrote a letter to Tennessee Assembly Member Carter advocating for changes that should be made. The DMHT allows individuals with mental health issues to determine a treatment plan in the event they experience a psychotic episode prior to the event. In my letter, I emphasized the need to add a responsible party for filling out a DMHT and that each mental health client should be offered a DMHT upon entrance into services. The addition of this clause would help decrease the amount of mental health patients who “fall between the cracks” when obtaining services. I also advocated for the rights of healthcare providers by recommending the addition of a clause that allows providers to refer a client out if he/she is uncomfortable with and/or unable to follow the specific treatment plan of a client, as long as it was prior to a psychotic event. I demonstrated the affective domain of characterization by advocating for the value of dignity and worth of all human beings while researching ways to help those who are not always treated with dignity in society.
DMHT Policy Analysis
DMHT Letter to Legislator

Field Evidence: During my internship, I assisted in designing and publishing the updated Mending Arrow Ranch (MAR) website. I collaborated with another intern to design the layout, photos, and theme options as well as create and edit descriptions for each of the four programs and services provided, the overall description of the Ranch, links to important forms/resources, and biographies for each of the horses and other livestock residing at the Ranch. The website allows stakeholders and clients to stay informed about services, programs, and changes to policies at the Ranch as well as provides a way to contact staff if needed. MAR Website

5.2 Develop and implement a policy and/or advocacy plan

Course Evidence: In my Advanced Policy class, I led a group project that sought to create a National Child Victims Act (NCVA). This would create a  federal policy that addresses the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. I researched the efficacy of different state laws on statutes of limitations as well as developmental psychology theories and contrasting perspectives/opinions on the issue to determine the most effective criteria to implement. The policy includes a later statute of limitations for civil and criminal charges in order to allow individuals who have experienced sexual trauma to be able to process the trauma later in life. Through this assignment, I exhibited the cognitive level of analysis by identifying errors in current policy and differentiating between facts, opinions, and assumptions regarding the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. Proposed NCVA

Field Evidence: During my time at Mending Arrow Ranch, I collaborated with my task supervisor to adjust sessions and develop new policies during the COVID-19 outbreak to follow mandated restrictions so services could be continued as much as possible while keeping students safe. The new policies implemented included healthcare recommendations to decrease the spread of COVID-19. I assisted my task supervisor in composing an email to students and parents informing them of the new COVID-19 session changes. COVID-19 Email Instructions

Additional Evidence:  In my Advanced Administrative Practice and Leadership class, my team and I developed a proposal for a nonprofit organization for men who are in addiction recovery called RightWay Recovery. I analyzed the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Rules which outlines the necessary legal requirements for running a fully licensed alcohol and drug halfway house treatment facility. One of the criteria in the policy indicated that all clients must create an Individual Program Plan (IPP) within seven days of admission. I developed an organizational policy for RightWay Recovery that outlined when and how staff should implement the creation of the IPP with  individual clients. IPP Policy