Policy Practice for Social Workers: New Strategies for a New Era

Abstract

CHAPTER 1 Defining Policy Practice in Social Work Introduction About the book About the chapter Policy practice at the core of social work Experiences of three social workers Vignette #1 Vignette #2 Vignette #3 Person-in-environment perspective in generalist practice The relationship of policy practice to micro practice Defining policy practice Multiple definitions of policy practice and advocacy Conceptualizing policy practice in action Settings and environmental levels within the policy practice arena Interactivity of environmental levels and settings Foundations of policy practice in generalist practice Five policy practice principles Strategic use of power The social work perspective on policy practice Application of generalist practice skills to policy practice Engagement skills Assessment skills Communication skills Problem solving skills Networking and collaborating skills Relevance of generalist practice perspectives Commitment to and belief in the possibility of change Commitment for the long haul Passion for social justice and empowerment Systems perspective in understanding issues Ability to find common ground in disputes and disagreements A recommitment to policy practice Preparing for policy practice roles Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional Readings CHAPTER 2 History of Policy Practice in Social Work Introduction Historical roots in social works dual focus Jane Addams at Hull House Charity organization societies Progressive era reforms Social work,s first retreat from policy practice Depression and the New Deal Second retreat from activism by the profession Social reforms in the 1960s Social workers doing policy practice-some efforts of the last forty years Today,s social workers in policy practice Looking at future policy practice Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 3 The Politics of Policy Practice Introduction Civic and social responsibility The evolution of U.S. political parties Political ideologies and U.S. political parties Conservatives Traditional conservatives Economic conservatives Social conservatives Neoconservatives Liberals Pragmatic liberals Humanistic liberals Blue Dog democrats New democrats Progressive democrats Conclusion-Republican or Democrat End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 4 The Forces that Move and Shape Policy Defining policy Types of public policy Policy formation Social institutions Political economy Political forces Political agendas The media Economic forces Economic theories How fair in the economy? The social welfare system in a democratic-capitalist political economy End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 5 Ethics in Policy Practice Introduction Ethical frameworks for policy practice Boundaries of ethical policy practice Boundary: The NASW code of ethics Boundary: NASW standards for advocacy and political action Boundary: Laws Boundary: Societal norms and personal beliefs Ethical decision making: Application Application of the model Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 6 Entering the Policy Practice Arena Introduction Case study Ecology of policy practice across policy settings Overview of social worker roles in policy practice Social work careers in policy practice Executive settings Elected executive Appointed executive policy maker Role of agency board in making policy Advisor/staff to policy maker Agency policy making at the direct service worker level the case for street level bureaucrat Legislative setting Legislative policy maker Legislative assistant/constituent services Judicial settings Expert witness Amicus curae briefs Consultants in judge education programs Elected judge Advocate in judge appointment processes Community settings Campaign director or worker on a campaign Part-time or volunteer policy advocate Lobbyist Research/policy analysis positions Policy practitioner/educator Grassroots organizer of community groups Policy practice roles for direct service practitioners Informal opportunities to be a policy advocate Policy practice by professional associations Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 7 The Media and Public Opinion in Policy Practice Introduction The basics Understanding the news media Working with the news media Communication strategies for policy campaigns Summary model New media advocacy Email Advocacy web sites Blogs Podcasts Evaluating advocacy communication Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 8 The Stages of Policy Making: Integrating Knowledge and Action Introduction Social workers as policy makers Approaches to policy making Rational model Political model Incremental model The policy making process Stage one: Problem identification and case finding Stage two: Data collection and analysis Stage three: Informing the public and identifying stakeholders Stage four: Selecting policy options and developing policy goals Stage five: Building public support and developing coalitions Stage six: Program design Stage seven: Policy implementation Stage eight: Policy evaluation Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 9 Social Problem and Policy Analysis: An Ethic of Care Approach Introduction Theoretical analysis Budget analysis Value perspectives: Adequacy, equity, and equality Ethic of care values: Collaboration, inclusion, interdependence Policy interventions: Preventive, alleviative, and curative interventions Social problem analysis The usefulness of social problem analysis Policy analysis An ethic of care policy analysis framework Elements of care Attentiveness Responsibility Competence Responsiveness Integration of care The framework Application of the model Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 10 The Legislative Process, Interest Groups, and Lobbying Introduction The legislative process Advocacy roles in the legislative process Identify and frame an issue Assess and analyze data Generate a proposal Develop, support, and present the proposal The conference committee Monitoring, rule making and implementation Ongoing monitoring to detect changes in need Defining interest groups Theoretical approaches to understanding interest groups The recent growth on interest groups Roles of interest groups in U.S political and economic contexts Sources of power Money Endorsements Information/expertise in areas of specialization Lobbying Ethical lobbying Social work as lobbyists How to lobby Talking points Letter writing and emails Testimony Involvement of clients in the advocacy effort Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 11Building a Coalition to Create Change Introduction Forming coalitions Defining coalitions Advantages and drawbacks to coalition membership Identifying likely allies to form coalitions Have some problem or broad goals in mind Recruitment strategies Generating the agenda for inclusionFinding common ground Continuing to expand the circle by inviting others to attend Meetings Integrating new members Coalition developmental stages Build the group,s expertise Develop an identity Engage participants in action Involving members in the organizational structure Meeting the challenges in coalitions Handling disagreement Sharing power Staying organized Raising funds Creating ongoing networks of influence-Moving from ad hoc to ongoing Characteristics of successful coalitions Importance of coalition leadership Celebrate the small victories and have fun as part of the process Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 12 Campaigns Introduction Overview of campaign process Resources Staffing Media Campaign roles for social workers Campaign roles for the social work profession Laws and ethics of campaigning Campaign finance reform Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 13 Evaluating Policy Implementation and Outcomes Introduction The rulemaking process Rulemaking case example A note about the budget process Privatizing eligibility in Indiana: Case study in implementation challengesand need for evaluation Types of evaluation The context of policy and program evaluation Welfare reform policy evaluation case example Evaluation resources Common questions for program/policy evaluation Conclusion End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings CHAPTER 14 A Vision for Political Empowerment Introduction Opportunities A new era New strategies Challenges Overcoming cynicism Countering the upsurge in hate groups Thinking globally Making a difference in your corner of the world End of chapter resources Main points Discussion questions and exercises Internet resources Additional readings

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