Why is it important for social workers to understand policy
Discussion 1: Policies and Social Problems
Why is it important for social workers to understand policy? When you think of policies, you may tend to think of the federal policies that support services such as Medicare and state policies that support education and welfare services. However, sometimes the policies that have the greatest impact on clients are the policies of agencies and organizations.
Note: An “agency or organizational policy” is a policy. For example, it might be part of a county welfare agency that requires an administrator at a juvenile correction facility to report any individual that is an illegal immigrant that comes to that facility.
In this Discussion, you will identify a policy at an agency or organization with which you are familiar (Catholic Charitie). It can be a public agency, a for-profit human service provider, or a not-for-profit community agency. Describe the organization, the policy, and the social problem it addresses.
BY DAY 3
Post the policy at an agency or organization with which you are familiar. Describe the organization, the policy, and the social problem it addresses.
Be sure to support your post with specific references to this week’s resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references.
BY DAY 5
Respond to a colleague in all of the following ways:
What changes would you make to the policy described by your colleague? Explain. Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.
How, as a professional social worker, will you work to ensure policies adequately represent the needs of oppressed and marginalized populations? Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.
What is your ethical responsibility as a social worker to engage in policy practice within your own practice or agency?
Colleague: Andrea
Post the policy at an agency or organization with which you are familiar. Describe the organization, the policy, and the social problem it addresses.
The Wellbeing Center facilitates the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) for Service Members and their family, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and Contractors. The agency’s mission is accomplished by providing services for alcohol and drug abuse deterrence (testing), risk reduction, substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The agency is tailored to a holistic approach to capabilities that build and sustain personal readiness on a daily basis. These efforts maximize deployability, optimize human performance, and ensures successful service.
The Army Substance Abuse Program is governed by Public Law, Army Regulations, DoD Directives and Instruction. The program provides education and prevention training with substance abuse awareness, and provides Unit Prevention Leaders (UPLs) with education to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug abuse. The facility operates a forensically secure drug and alcohol testing program to drug test Soldiers, Civilians, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) positions.
The EAP services assesses the client’s needs, providing short-term counseling, for clients who are Command or self-referred, to the appropriate services for individuals who have concerns negatively impacting job performance and/or conduct.
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