Watch a video to help you understand this concept and this assignment: https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=89005398-1d65-44de-b002-e35e986b644c
CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards https://www.cswe.org/getattachment/Accreditation/Accreditation-Process/2015-EPAS/2015EPAS_Web_FINAL.pdf.aspx
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
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.
