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Print Price: $102.99

Format:
Paperback
368 pp.
6.125" x 9.25"

ISBN-13:
9780190858827

Copyright Year:
2018

Imprint: OUP US

The Handbook of Policy Practice

Ira C. Colby

All social work practice, from intervention to how payments or reimbursements are made, is regulated by social policies. Professionals, however, cannot arbitrarily select which policy to follow in any circumstance; knowing what comprises a given policy is essential, but equally important is understanding how to amend a policy by applying unique skills that reflect the social work profession's shared values and beliefs. Recognizing that a series of interdependent social policies govern every aspect of social work in both nonprofit and public organizations, this practice-specific textbook focuses on influencing social policies in an agency setting or through formal governmental processes.

The Handbook for Policy Practice explores a wide range of topics that are critical tools in every social worker's policy practice repertoire:
* Recognizing the various social justice theories and their role in social policy.
* Understanding critical thinking as a practice skill.
* Social media as a practice tool.
* Preparing and presenting testimony to a legislative committee or group of people.
* Formulating a clear, well-focused written policy brief for a Board of Directors or legislative committee.
* Organizing policy specific advocacy activities including a public forum, social work day at the legislature, and voter registration projects.
* The "30-second elevator speech."
* Writing newspaper "op-eds" and "letters to the editor."

Purposefully, the Handbook also relies on information comes from the digital world. Using the web as a primary source builds on the social work profession's long-held belief to begin where the client is. Using the links to the various data and citation sources, readers will learn to identify and discern the features of a valid web site. As a whole, this book is an essential resource for all BSW and MSW students.

Readership : BSW Undergraduate and MSW graduate students are the primary audience. The text might also be suitable for political science students as well as any student who is volunteering or completing an internship in any local, regional, state, or federal governmental legislator's office.

PART 1: Context and Framework
Introduction to PART 1
1. Social Policy and Social Work: An Overview
2. Recognizing the Underpinnings of Social Policy and Social Welfare Policy
3. Justice Theory and the Social Work Profession: Is This Fair and Just
4. Critical Thinking: The Key to Policy Practice
5. Contours of Analysis
PART 2: The Making of Social Policies
Introduction to PART 2
6. Federal Government-Based Policy Development
7. State and Local Government-Based Policy Development
8. Agency Based Policy Development
PART 3: Impacting the Policy Making Process
Introduction to PART 3
9. Policy Practice Strategies, Tactics, and Techniques
10. Social Media, Info Sheets, and Other Tools for Effective Communication
PART 4: Not the End but the Beginning
Introduction to PART 4
11. Glossary of Policy Practice Related Terms
12. Final Thoughts
Appendices
Appendix 1: Congressional Caucuses, 115th Congress
Appendix 2: Example of Federal Register Call for Proposed Rules Change
Appendix 3: Social Workers in Congress, 114th Congress and Social Workers in State and Local Offices
Appendix 4: Examples of Op-Eds Written by Social Workers
Appendix 5: Op-ed and Letters to the Editor Guidelines, 100 On-line and Print Publications
Appendix 6: Example of Policy Issue Brief
Index

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Ira C. Colby, DSW, MSW, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston. Dr. Colby describes his social work career as one of discovery, passion, concern for others, and civic engagement. His political beginnings began as a youngster when he volunteered in a neighbor's campaign for a local city council seat. Over the years, his political work led him to: participate in and lead local, state, and national advocacy efforts and groups; provide testimony to numerous local, state, and national legislative groups; and chair a political campaign. His global-to-local perspective has been enhanced by his travel and international work to more than 25 countries.

Making Sense in the Social Sciences - Margot Northey, Lorne Tepperman and Patrizia Albanese
Just Practice - Janet L. Finn
Social Work and Social Justice - Michael Reisch and Charles D. Garvin
The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy - Joel Blau and Mimi Abramovitz

Special Features

Addresses the majority of the behavioral outcomes required by the CSWE EPAS.
Geared to all levels of social work practice, from the generalist practitioner to the advanced practitioner.
Content is relevant for the clinical social worker as well as the macro practitioner.
Provides a detailed discussion and analysis of "critical thinking," a fundamental process required for social work practice.
Offers a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of a number of different social justice theories and how they play out in various social policies.
Outlines the preparation and writing of policy briefs and making short, three-minute presentations.
Examines different policy practice strategies and techniques unique for public settings (federal state, regional, and local governments) and non-profit agencies.
Includes suggested activities throughout the text
Focuses on social media and creating "virtual rooms" for organizing and informing constituency groups - a unique tactic for social work.