Social Work Policy Practice
Changing Our Community, Nation, and the World
Published on 20. February 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-205-82851-7 (ISBN)
Description
Demonstrates why policy-making is a critical and exciting dimension of social work practice.
Social Work Policy Practice engages students by showing how the mission of social justice and the person-in-environment perspective sets social work apart from other helping professions in the United States.
Part of the Connecting Core Competencies Series, this text introduces students to social work policy practice in the United States and describes how policies are enacted into law as well as how to engage in policy practice. It includes compelling stories of advocates, activists, and organizations who try to make change in the political and/or legal arenas on behalf of vulnerable populations. The final chapters of the text focus on the economics that surround the policy change process and take a look toward the future.
Upon completing this book readers will be able to:
Understand the importance of social work policy practice
Describe how social work policies are made into law
Engage in policy practice
Social Work Policy Practice engages students by showing how the mission of social justice and the person-in-environment perspective sets social work apart from other helping professions in the United States.
Part of the Connecting Core Competencies Series, this text introduces students to social work policy practice in the United States and describes how policies are enacted into law as well as how to engage in policy practice. It includes compelling stories of advocates, activists, and organizations who try to make change in the political and/or legal arenas on behalf of vulnerable populations. The final chapters of the text focus on the economics that surround the policy change process and take a look toward the future.
Upon completing this book readers will be able to:
Understand the importance of social work policy practice
Describe how social work policies are made into law
Engage in policy practice
Reviews / Votes
"This is some of the clearest and most straight forward text book writing that I have found...As a member of the Commission on Curriculum and Educational Innovation, I find that the material well addresses the new EPAS standards...In particular it has an excellent global perspective and engages students in critical thinking."-Stephen Anderson, New Mexico State University
"I absolutely love the writing. Students will easily understand the content because it is relevant and engaging. The figures and charts are priceless. These provide a quick reference to active social welfare policies."
-Sepora Fisher, Northwestern State University
"I really like the figures listing significant legislation in chronological order. They are really helpful in providing a wide swath of information quickly."
-Julia Rembert, University of Iowa
"The writing style is excellent in that it is engaging and free of jargon. New concepts are clearly defined and aided by practical examples."
-Saliwe Kawewe, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
"It is student-friendly as it is straight forward and easy to read. Most policy books are so hard to engage the students, yet this one makes it accessible."
-Ruth Charles, Winona State University
More details
Persons
Jessica A. Ritter, Ph.D., MSSW, BSW is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Pacific University Oregon where she directs the undergraduate social work program. Dr. Ritter completed her BSW, MSSW, and doctorate in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. Her social work career has been dedicated to the field of child welfare and work on behalf of vulnerable children and families. She co-authored a chapter on child welfare policy in Dr. Diana DiNitto's book, Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7th edition. Her current research is focused on evaluating the political participation and political advocacy efforts of social workers, and she has published in this area. Dr. Ritter is a Fulbright Scholar, which enabled her to conducted research on social work policy practice in Gothenburg, Sweden during the fall of 2011. She teaches a range of social work courses in the social work program at Pacific University including Principles of Social Work, Social Work Research Methods, Macro Social Work, and Social Policy & Social Justice. Professor Ritter is the author of the book 101 Careers in Social Work, which provides a current examination and description of the multitude of careers paths that are available to those with a degree in social work. She serves as the Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Oregon Chapter of NASW where she works with others to impact legislation at the state level. Jessica's passion within social work is social welfare policy, cultivating strong political advocacy skills among social work students and encouraging them to explore this side of macro social work practice.
Content
Found in this Section:
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Chapter 1: Policy Practice: The Hidden Side of Social Work
Chapter 2: Evolution of Social Welfare Legislation in the U.S.
Chapter 3: The Role of 'Values' in the Political Arena
Part II
Chapter 4: Social Workers in Action: The Six Stages of the Policy Change Process
Chapter 5: When Wearing Buttons Isn't Enough
Part III
Chapter 6: Health Care Policies and Programs
Chapter 7: Mental Health Advocacy Mental illness
Chapter 8: From Civil Rights to Immigrant Rights
Chapter 9: Child Welfare and Children's Rights
Chapter 10: The Controversy over End-of-Life Policies
Chapter 11: Using the Judicial System to affect change
Part IV
Chapter 12: The Politics of Economics
Chapter 13: A look to the future
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Chapter 1: Policy Practice: The Hidden Side of Social Work
Social work's commitment to social justice
The debate between the micro changers and the macro changers
Has social work abandoned its mission of social justice?
Are social workers adequately prepared for policy work?
Is all social work political?
What exactly is policy practice?
Social welfare policy
Are social workers active enough politically?
Being the voice of the voiceless
Can all problems be solved with legislation?
Work settings for social workers engaged in policy practice
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 2: Evolution of Social Welfare Legislation in the U.S.
The Settlement House Movement (late 1800s)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's (FDR) New Deal
Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society and War on Poverty
The Rise of Conservatism and the Decline of Social Responsibility
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 3: The Role of 'Values' in the Political Arena
It's all about values
American values
Political ideology
Why can't liberals and conservatives get along?
Religion & politics
Neo-liberalism
Think Tanks
Political Parties in the U.S.
The tea party movement
Occupy Wall Street
Are all social workers liberal?
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part II
Chapter 4: Social Workers in Action: The Six Stages of the Policy Change Process
Who makes policy in the U.S.?
Policy making settings in the U.S.
Civics 101: Levels and branches of government
The Federal government
State government
Local government
Six stages of the policy change process
Problem definition stage
Agenda setting
Policy formulation
Passage of the policy
Policy implementation
Evaluating the policy change
Final Thoughts
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 5: When Wearing Buttons Isn't Enough
Opportunities for Social Work Students
Volunteering your time
Join an Organization
Influencing Legislation
Fundraising
How Do I Find the Time to Volunteer?
Career options in the political arena
Executive Director of an Advocacy Organization
Policy Staff (related titles: Policy Director/Policy Associate/Policy Analyst)
Public Affairs Director or Public Affairs Staff
Lobbyist (contract vs. on-staff)
Legislative Staff
Consider Running for Office
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part III
Chapter 6: Health Care Policies and Programs
What is the problem?
Overview of major government funded healthcare programs in the U.S.
What is single-payer health care?
The mad as hell doctors tour
Heath insurance reform under President Obama
The conservative response to health care reform ("obamaCare")
The patient protection and affordable care act
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 7: Mental Health Advocacy Mental illness
Timeline of mental health advocacy in the U.S.
Mental health parity
How the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici mental health parity and addiction equality act was passed into law
Phase i: first parity law in passed (small step forward)
Phase ii: stagnation due to political opposition from the Republican Party
Phase iii: true parity is finally achieved
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 8: From Civil Rights to Immigrant Rights
Laws and court cases outlawing discrimination
Immigration
Illegal immigration
Advocates of comprehensive immigration reform
Opponents of comprehensive immigration reform
What now?
Arizona's support our law enforcement and safe neighborhoods act (SB 1070)
What is the dream act?
Who supports the dream act?
Who opposes the dream act?
What strategies have been used to get it passed into law?
Papers, stories of undocumented youth (the movie)
What is the current status of the dream act?
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 9: Child Welfare and Children's Rights
Child maltreatment in the U.S.
Child welfare legislation
What is the un convention on the rights of the child?
International human rights treaties
The controversy over the CRC in the United States
What is the problem that the CRC is addressing?
Poverty & Hunger
Child Abuse & Neglect
Infant mortality
Health
Why has the U.S. failed to ratify the CRC?
The emergence of the campaign for the ratification of the CRC
What is the current status of the U.N. CRC in the U.S.?
Case example: social work students at pacific university Oregon. Think globally, act locally
State level child welfare advocacy efforts
Educational stability of foster youth
Supporting relative caregivers of children in foster care
Final Thoughts
Practice Test
MySearch Lab Connections
Chapter 10: The Controversy over End-of-Life Policies
Policies affecting older adults
The social security program
End-of-life policies
The death with dignity act
What was the impetus behind the death with dignity act?
What is the death with dignity act?
The controversy over the death with dignity act
How the death with dignity act became law
Oregon's death with dignity act
Washington state's death with dignity act
How the act was passed
I. A coalition is formed
II. Official campaign is launched
III. The Death with Dignity Act is certified for the ballot
IV. Money is raised
V. Allies lend their support and endorse the Campaign
VI. Media campaign & the importance of framing the issue
The opposition
Next steps for the death with dignity movement
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 11: Using the Judicial System to affect change
Social work & legal practice
Disability advocates versus the state of New York
The fight over marriage equality in California (proposition 8)
Children's rights: working to reform the nation's failing child welfare systems
NASW legal defense fund
Jaffee v Redmond (1996)
In re Matter of Adoption of X.X.G. and N.R.G.
Graham v. Florida (2010)
Kennedy v Louisiana (2008)
Overview of the U.S. judicial system
Federal judiciary
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
The Federal District Courts
State Supreme Courts, state appeals courts, state courts
The United States Supreme Court
State Supreme Courts
State Court of Appeals
State Trial Courts and Specialty Courts
Final thoughts
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part IV
Chapter 12: The Politics of Economics
Political economy
Revenues ("taxes 101")
Progressive versus regressive taxation
Taxes---who carries the burden?
Spending
Funding for federal programs
Why is the U.S. government in debt?
State budgets
American excpetionalism or welfare exceptionalism?
Policies that promote poverty reduction
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 13: A look to the future
Hot button political issues on the horizon of interest to social work
Immigration
Older adults and aging
Equal rights for LGBT individuals
Returning veterans
Poverty & income inequality
The welfare of children
Reforming government so that it operates in the interest of the people
Getting government to invest in the social work profession
What are the biggest problems facing the social work profession?
Overview of the social work reinvestment act (SWRA)
What strategies have been used by the answer coalition to pass the SWRA?
What have been the biggest barriers to passage of the SWRA?
All social work is political
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Chapter 1: Policy Practice: The Hidden Side of Social Work
Chapter 2: Evolution of Social Welfare Legislation in the U.S.
Chapter 3: The Role of 'Values' in the Political Arena
Part II
Chapter 4: Social Workers in Action: The Six Stages of the Policy Change Process
Chapter 5: When Wearing Buttons Isn't Enough
Part III
Chapter 6: Health Care Policies and Programs
Chapter 7: Mental Health Advocacy Mental illness
Chapter 8: From Civil Rights to Immigrant Rights
Chapter 9: Child Welfare and Children's Rights
Chapter 10: The Controversy over End-of-Life Policies
Chapter 11: Using the Judicial System to affect change
Part IV
Chapter 12: The Politics of Economics
Chapter 13: A look to the future
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Chapter 1: Policy Practice: The Hidden Side of Social Work
Social work's commitment to social justice
The debate between the micro changers and the macro changers
Has social work abandoned its mission of social justice?
Are social workers adequately prepared for policy work?
Is all social work political?
What exactly is policy practice?
Social welfare policy
Are social workers active enough politically?
Being the voice of the voiceless
Can all problems be solved with legislation?
Work settings for social workers engaged in policy practice
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 2: Evolution of Social Welfare Legislation in the U.S.
The Settlement House Movement (late 1800s)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's (FDR) New Deal
Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society and War on Poverty
The Rise of Conservatism and the Decline of Social Responsibility
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 3: The Role of 'Values' in the Political Arena
It's all about values
American values
Political ideology
Why can't liberals and conservatives get along?
Religion & politics
Neo-liberalism
Think Tanks
Political Parties in the U.S.
The tea party movement
Occupy Wall Street
Are all social workers liberal?
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part II
Chapter 4: Social Workers in Action: The Six Stages of the Policy Change Process
Who makes policy in the U.S.?
Policy making settings in the U.S.
Civics 101: Levels and branches of government
The Federal government
State government
Local government
Six stages of the policy change process
Problem definition stage
Agenda setting
Policy formulation
Passage of the policy
Policy implementation
Evaluating the policy change
Final Thoughts
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 5: When Wearing Buttons Isn't Enough
Opportunities for Social Work Students
Volunteering your time
Join an Organization
Influencing Legislation
Fundraising
How Do I Find the Time to Volunteer?
Career options in the political arena
Executive Director of an Advocacy Organization
Policy Staff (related titles: Policy Director/Policy Associate/Policy Analyst)
Public Affairs Director or Public Affairs Staff
Lobbyist (contract vs. on-staff)
Legislative Staff
Consider Running for Office
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part III
Chapter 6: Health Care Policies and Programs
What is the problem?
Overview of major government funded healthcare programs in the U.S.
What is single-payer health care?
The mad as hell doctors tour
Heath insurance reform under President Obama
The conservative response to health care reform ("obamaCare")
The patient protection and affordable care act
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 7: Mental Health Advocacy Mental illness
Timeline of mental health advocacy in the U.S.
Mental health parity
How the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici mental health parity and addiction equality act was passed into law
Phase i: first parity law in passed (small step forward)
Phase ii: stagnation due to political opposition from the Republican Party
Phase iii: true parity is finally achieved
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 8: From Civil Rights to Immigrant Rights
Laws and court cases outlawing discrimination
Immigration
Illegal immigration
Advocates of comprehensive immigration reform
Opponents of comprehensive immigration reform
What now?
Arizona's support our law enforcement and safe neighborhoods act (SB 1070)
What is the dream act?
Who supports the dream act?
Who opposes the dream act?
What strategies have been used to get it passed into law?
Papers, stories of undocumented youth (the movie)
What is the current status of the dream act?
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 9: Child Welfare and Children's Rights
Child maltreatment in the U.S.
Child welfare legislation
What is the un convention on the rights of the child?
International human rights treaties
The controversy over the CRC in the United States
What is the problem that the CRC is addressing?
Poverty & Hunger
Child Abuse & Neglect
Infant mortality
Health
Why has the U.S. failed to ratify the CRC?
The emergence of the campaign for the ratification of the CRC
What is the current status of the U.N. CRC in the U.S.?
Case example: social work students at pacific university Oregon. Think globally, act locally
State level child welfare advocacy efforts
Educational stability of foster youth
Supporting relative caregivers of children in foster care
Final Thoughts
Practice Test
MySearch Lab Connections
Chapter 10: The Controversy over End-of-Life Policies
Policies affecting older adults
The social security program
End-of-life policies
The death with dignity act
What was the impetus behind the death with dignity act?
What is the death with dignity act?
The controversy over the death with dignity act
How the death with dignity act became law
Oregon's death with dignity act
Washington state's death with dignity act
How the act was passed
I. A coalition is formed
II. Official campaign is launched
III. The Death with Dignity Act is certified for the ballot
IV. Money is raised
V. Allies lend their support and endorse the Campaign
VI. Media campaign & the importance of framing the issue
The opposition
Next steps for the death with dignity movement
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 11: Using the Judicial System to affect change
Social work & legal practice
Disability advocates versus the state of New York
The fight over marriage equality in California (proposition 8)
Children's rights: working to reform the nation's failing child welfare systems
NASW legal defense fund
Jaffee v Redmond (1996)
In re Matter of Adoption of X.X.G. and N.R.G.
Graham v. Florida (2010)
Kennedy v Louisiana (2008)
Overview of the U.S. judicial system
Federal judiciary
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
The Federal District Courts
State Supreme Courts, state appeals courts, state courts
The United States Supreme Court
State Supreme Courts
State Court of Appeals
State Trial Courts and Specialty Courts
Final thoughts
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Part IV
Chapter 12: The Politics of Economics
Political economy
Revenues ("taxes 101")
Progressive versus regressive taxation
Taxes---who carries the burden?
Spending
Funding for federal programs
Why is the U.S. government in debt?
State budgets
American excpetionalism or welfare exceptionalism?
Policies that promote poverty reduction
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections
Chapter 13: A look to the future
Hot button political issues on the horizon of interest to social work
Immigration
Older adults and aging
Equal rights for LGBT individuals
Returning veterans
Poverty & income inequality
The welfare of children
Reforming government so that it operates in the interest of the people
Getting government to invest in the social work profession
What are the biggest problems facing the social work profession?
Overview of the social work reinvestment act (SWRA)
What strategies have been used by the answer coalition to pass the SWRA?
What have been the biggest barriers to passage of the SWRA?
All social work is political
Practice Test
MySearchLab Connections