Competency V
Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services
As a social work professional, I will always refer to policies as I understand that the delivery of services is affected by policies. We should know the history and the current structure of policies as we assess the impact on an organization, the employees, as well as clients.
Practice Behaviors:
- 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.
I have learned and demonstrated these practice behaviors by:
In my spring 2019 semester I learned a great deal about social policy. I learned that policies are not always fair and advocacy is often needed to aid in changing policy. I wrote about such a policy in my final paper for this class. Policy Analysis Final Paper
In this same class we were challenged to think of and discuss what policies should be enacted on to address a structural change so that women can get along without welfare. In my response to this question I stated:
For those families who are living in low-income housing and receiving other forms of welfare should be required to have a percentage even a small portion ,1 or 2%, of their disposable income put into savings. Help families to relocate to areas with lower costs of living. Provide better child care assistance so that the moms can get out and support her family. If no one can watch the children, then the mother can’t work. Help guide welfare recipients to college classes or trade schools, and work with them to get their degree or trade certification so they can have both a sense of pride, but also make themselves more marketable.