Competency 5: Engage in policy practice.
Introduction:
As a competent social worker, I will respect every client, seek change in policies within the communities that I serve, follow up on laws by reviewing bills that are presented to the state and federal legislature, and promote positive change. I will advocate for bills and policies that promote social work values by reaching out to legislatures to show my support as well as engage in Social Work Day on the Hill. I will advocate by researching up and coming bills and researching policies as well as peer reviewed research that will support and serve our communities needs.
5A – Advocate with and inform stakeholders to impact policy change.
Course Evidence: In SOCW 609 Advanced Social Practice, our group advocated and informed stakeholders to help impact policy change by creating fact sheets and policy briefs to disseminate to voters regarding expanding the definition of abandonment in TCA 36-1-102. Please see SOCW 609 Policy Issue and Research Paper for the advocacy plan.
Field Evidence: I presented my Special Project and the results of the Self-Care initiative to supervision and leadership at Parkridge Valley in order to implement a policy outlining self-care practices during working hours that was outside of EAP services. Please see Special Project 2 for more information
5B – Develop and implement a policy and/or advocacy plan.
Course Evidence: In SOCW 609 Advanced Social Practice, our group develop and implemented a policy and/or advocacy plan by advocating for adoptive youth that are abandoned after they have been adopted out of foster care. Please see relevant assignment outlining this plan SOCW 609 Final Paper Policy Issue and Research Comp 5.2
Field Evidence: I developed and implemented an advocacy plan to inform mental health technicians at Parkridge Valley Hospital and IOP about secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, and burnout. My goal is to increase awareness of how social work can take a toll on any mental health professional. Please see Special Project 2 for more information.
Knowledge: My experience and training from DCS helped with creating my special project and bringing to Parkridge Valley a valuable resource that could help their mental health staff.
Skills: Advocacy was the primary skill demonstrated, as many of these assignments involved representing the interests of underserved individuals and during my special project. There was a strong push for change in both my practicum and policy class. In my social policy course, my group proposed revisions to an existing bill on abandonment, and for my special project, I advocated for the creation of a policy to address the self-care needs of mental health professionals.
Values: This competency highlighted the values of service and social justice. Service was demonstrated by identifying a need, conducting research, and developing a policy proposal to address it. Social justice was evident in my work with at-risk groups and those facing discrimination, as outlined in both my practicum and policy class proposals. I focused on addressing these needs and ensuring equal opportunities for these vulnerable groups.
Cognitive: Application and evaluation were the key cognitive skills employed in both my practicum proposal and my group’s policy proposal. These processes involved applying what I had learned to develop presentations and suggest changes. Furthermore, both projects integrated various elements to create a new proposal.
Affective: Characterization grew increasingly important as I became deeply invested in my special project. It turned into a genuine passion and priority for me to ensure that the needs of these individuals were addressed and not ignored. Recognizing my values and the significance of the program motivated me to advocate for its implementation and present it to key stakeholders.
Theoretical Foundation: Conflict theory is the theoretical foundation I used during this competency. It shows how when there is limited resources, that you have to advocate for certain programs and policies to best address any social injustices.