Engage in Policy Practice

It is understood by social workers that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are impacted and affected by policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Social workers strive to understand the history of policy, the role it plays in the services offered to clients, and how it is developed. Social workers understand their role in policy at the micro, mezzo, and macro level and seek to stay engaged in it. Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. Social workers understand and are knowledgeable about policy formation, analysis, implementation, as well as evaluation. Social workers:

• Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services;
• assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;
• apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Field Evidence:

During my first semester at Welcome Home of Chattanooga, I had the opportunity to update their confidentiality policy. Social media has become a larger part of our everyday life, and this was not a part of the old policy. I also had the opportunity to attend a board of directors meeting with my supervisor to observe how policies for my agency come about and are born. Another opportunity I had was to go and visit with a sister agency and discuss how social welfare policies have impacted the population they work with and their agency.

Academic Evidence:

While in Social Welfare Issues and Policies, I was able to go to Washington D.C. and present a policy brief to Senator Ted Cruz’s staff. My team was working to educate and advocate for a Senate bill to be passed on prison rehabilitation. This bill has since then been passed in Texas. I also was able to write a Letter to the Editor of an Adventist news outlet about an article relating to the Adventist church working with individuals with disabilities. This allowed me to advocate for a population that is very near and dear to my heart.