Social workers understand that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. Social workers understand the history and current structures of social policies and services, the role of policy in service delivery, and the role of practice in policy development. Social workers understand their role in policy development and implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and they actively engage in policy practice to effect change within those settings. Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and 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.
This course helps students to work towards this competency by understanding governmental roles and responsibilities as well as social welfare policies and services.
To effectively use this information and to advocate for our clients and our professional perspectives and concerns, social workers should be able to effectively communicate with elected officials or governmental personnel. If we want to advocate for change, we must raise our voices in an effective manner.
You will write a letter to a person you want to influence – either an elected official or an administrative person responsible for influencing actions. Make sure that you are using the appropriate language as well as addressing the correct person who can be influenced on your issue of concern.
This should be brief, but factual. Concise yet detailed. It should be written in a professional format using appropriate language. Be specific in your requests as well as persuasive in your arguments. Grammar matters if you want to be taken seriously. Make a strong argument. Use various reference articles and use citations. An “A” paper is one that would be persuasive to your reader as well as easily managed in a political situation.
