Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Advancing human rights and social justice is recognized as a powerful way social workers can make a  difference in the lives of clients and communities. Through evidence-based action, social workers can demonstrate the NASW value of human rights and dignity and worth of every human. Social workers aim to break down barriers that impact vulnerable groups and provide opportunity for social, racial, economic and environmental justice.  Through my social work education, I have been equipped with many skills to effect positive change for the communities I serve. Whether it is navigating policy change, implementing a community program, or connecting a client with services, I will be serving to advance human rights and social justice for these communities. My goal is to demonstrate cultural competence and to be a leader in advancing human rights throughout my career.

2A: Demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing evidence based practice with relevant strategies that advance human rights at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels:

Course Evidence: During the Administrative and Leadership Skills course (SOCW-618), I learned strategies of how to address social justice needs in our community by developing a non-profit. Principles learned included assessing community needs and gaps in services, involving stakeholders, grant writing, and developing policy. All of theses strategies are important to establish sustainable services and advocacy that promote social justice.  My team and I developed a blueprint for Green Light, a non-profit shelter for survivors of human trafficking that also offers case management, mental healthcare, and legal assistance.  This paper demonstrates how non-profit organizations can address human rights and social justice needs at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

2B: Implement culturally-informed strategies with diverse populations.

Field Evidence: While visiting hospice patients in their homes across east Tennessee, I realized the valuable role that hospice social workers play in addressing the inequities experienced by vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities or those experiencing poverty. A need that I observed was that many on low fixed incomes were struggling to pay their electricity bills. There is a state program called the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) available that will help cover some of those costs. For many families, applying for an assistance program while a loved one is on hospice is overwhelming.  With this in mind, a culturally informed strategy I implemented was that I developed a simple, easy to read handout on the LIHEAP program with important information about the benefits, qualifications, and how to apply.  This handout could be distributed to families through the social worker or nurses.

Knowledge: Skills used for this competency include written communication, assessment of community needs, and implementing interventions.

Values: The dignity and worth of every person is a NASW social work value that supports my belief that everyone is entitled to basic human rights. Whether I was developing a shelter to meet the needs of human trafficking survivors or assisting hospice clients to receive services to improve quality of life, I was demonstrating that I believe in the value of dignity and worth of each person.

Skills: While completing the activities for this competency, skills demonstrated include detail orientation, assessment of needs, research, and goal setting.  When assisting patients and families and developing the non-profit, the first step was assessing for needs. Then I was able to find evidence based ways to meet those needs for social justice.

Cognitive: When advocating for a client or developing a community program to address a human rights issue, I utilized applying as a cognitive skill to problem solve. Learning about policies, resources, and interventions was a big part of both my classroom and field experience. It was rewarding to be able to assist hospice patients and their families to access resources to meet their basic needs or get the medical care needed to align with their wishes for end of life.

Affective: Organization was the affective used for this competency. I was able to assist many families and patients in hospice care and advance their quality of life by being able to inform them of their rights and available resources as well as assisting them with application processes. This is something I integrated into each visit by assessing needs and helping create solutions.

Theories: My understanding of Critical Theory was utilized to understand how social structures and policies were negatively impacting low income, disabled and minority patients and families as well as survivors of human trafficking. This ignited my passion for learning ways to advocate for these groups and identify resources to assist and empower them.