Social workers should realize the implications of federal, state, and local policy on people, often through access to resources. Policy can inhibit or promote social justice at every level. Social workers should possess a knowledge of the history and structure of policies and how they affect access to services for those in need of them. Social workers need to know how to utilize policy in the practice setting and advocate for policies that benefit the populations they are serving on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. As professionals, they are equipped with an understanding of forming, analyzing, implementing, and evaluating policy. Social workers also realize the different dynamics, including cultural, economic, global, and social that can impact the formation of social policies. By understanding how to make an impact through policy, social workers enhance their opportunities for making a positive difference in the lives of others.
5A – Advocate with and inform stakeholders to impact policy change.
While completing my practicum at Parkridge Valley Child & Adolescent, I created a fact sheet regarding the connection between mental health and dietary choices. I then shared this fact sheet in order to advocate for more nutritious foods to be provided for the behavioral health patients at Valley Child and Adolescent. In this way, their diet would be more conducive to the overall goals for their care. The affective process that is demonstrated within this practice behavior is responding. As a result of understanding new information, I chose to do something intentionally about the information that I learned. On a cognitive level, I demonstrated the applying level of the cognitive process in that I used information regarding advocating and mental health in order to present the information in a fact sheet. In order to complete this project, I had to utilize critical thinking skills to identify an area that needed improvement. I then had to choose the most pertinent information to include on the fact sheet. I had to utilize research skills in order to collect the information.
5B – Develop and implement a policy and/or advocacy plan.
As a part of the Advance Social Policy class that I completed, I worked together with three colleagues to develop an advocacy plan. The project focused on advocating for additional support for women who are pregnant and in prison in Vermont. The theoretical framework used for this practice behavior was the Information Processing Theory. This theory asserts that to be persuaded, one has to take in a new message and recognize that it is more accurate than the previously held one. In designing an advocacy plan, the information had to be presented in a way where people would be able to recognize the new message and reject previously held beliefs regarding the selected population. In order to adequately complete this project, I had to have a knowledge of the current situation for incarcerated and pregnant women. I also had to gain knowledge regarding proper prenatal care and the steps that should be taken in order to advocate for this population. One value that is at the heart of this project was recognizing the dignity and worth of every individual. The great worth of every woman and her unborn child propelled this advocacy plan.