Policy is the foundation of social work practice. As advanced practitioners, we must demonstrate an understanding of the impact of policy at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and effectively advocate for policies that reflect the values of the social work profession. I have demonstrated this competency through playing an active role in the development and implementation of policy initiatives that address housing instability and through advocating for individuals experiencing housing insecurity on the local, state, and federal levels.
5.1: Advocate with and inform stakeholders to impact policy change
Field Evidence: While interning with the Eviction Prevention Initiative, I was contacted by a local journalist for WRCTV to discuss the project. I highlighted the various causes and implications of housing instability, the various obstacles we encounter with clients when trying to secure stable housing, and the ways in which the work we are doing on the EPP seeks to address this. As social workers, we are mandated to advocate on behalf of our clients at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and this proved to be an incredible opportunity to do so. A client of mine agreed to share her own story with the journalist, and later shared with me what an empowering moment that was for her. The news story and article can be viewed here.
5.2: Develop and implement a policy and/or advocacy plan
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Policy class, my group and I put together an advocacy plan in support of SB0589, a bill that would limit the time period for when an individual convicted of crime is denied the right to vote. The advocacy plan highlighted the goals, the focus and target population, and the advocacy strategies and can be viewed here.
Skills Present: My ability to advocate on behalf of my clients and to prepare my clients for self-advocacy are demonstrated in the evidence provided for practice behavior 5.1. When constructing the advocacy plan in support of SB0589, I demonstrated my ability to formulate and articulate effective advocacy strategies. I also demonstrated professionalism through both oral and written communication when fulfilling each practice behavior.
Knowledge Present: For each of the skills present, I utilized knowledge obtained from the Advanced Policy course, such as how to effectively organize and present advocacy strategies, as well as the key information to include in an advocacy plan. I demonstrated knowledge gained from my ongoing work with individuals experiencing housing insecurity, as the information obtained regarding its factors and implications, to communicate the importance of this issue and the overall mission of the EPI.
Values Present: Through writing my group’s advocacy plan for the SB0589 bill, I demonstrated the values of social justice and dignity and worth of the person, as this bill serves to eradicate voter disenfranchisement and restore voting rights to individuals convicted of a crime. I demonstrated the values of social justice, service and competence through agreeing to discuss the EPI with a multimedia journalist in order to highlight the complex issue of housing instability, de-stigmatize the individuals affected by it, and advocate effectively on behalf of the clients I served on the EPI.
Cognitive Processes: Through my group’s advocacy plan, I demonstrated the ability to organize (application domain) and summarize (comprehension domain) information regarding voter disenfranchisement and evidence-based advocacy strategies. Before speaking with the journalist, I developed (application domain) an outline that highlighted pertinent statistical information regarding housing instability and utilized this information to validate (evaluation domain) the importance of the issue and of the EPI.
Affective Processes: Through each evidence, I internalized (characterization domain) an understanding of how important and valuable advocacy is to social work practice and integrated (organization domain) this understanding through each practice behavior implemented.
Theoretical Foundation: A theory that correlates with this competency is the Social Influence Theory, which asserts that an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, and subsequent actions or behaviors are influenced by others. It is essential that, as social workers, we are able to shift significant social influences that go against the values of our profession and lead by example through educating others on social justice issues and through advocating for policies that advance human rights and social justice.