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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
Introduction: Social workers know that policies at different levels affect human rights and social justice. Understanding the history and structures of social policies and services and how policy impacts service delivery. They actively engage in policy practice to create change. They analyze policies and advocate for ones that promote justice and well-being. The two artifacts I chose for this competency are a Policy analysis paper and a Kent ISD meeting.
Artifact 1: Policy Analysis
The artifact I chose related to competency five because a social worker needs to understand social welfare and services mediated by federal, state, and local policy. My artifact is a policy analysis a partner, and I wrote for our social welfare policy and services class. In the policy analysis, we chose Kent City Community Schools Student Seclusion and Prestriant Policy because I was volunteering there when I took this class and went to school there. This paper discusses the issues of seclusion and restraint in schools. The Kent City Community School District has implemented a policy to ensure that school personnel receive proper training and that seclusion and restraints are only used when necessary. The policy also promotes positive behavioral intervention and support. While the policy has benefits, there may be concerns if PBIS doesn't work for students.
Artifact 2: Kent ISD
Kent ISD is related to competency five because of social policy and structure and the role of policy in service delivery. I attended a Kent ISD meeting with my supervisor during my internship. At the meeting, several other schools were around the area to discuss specific topics that need to be improved in schools with the judge of the county. One of the main topics was truancy and how it can be improved. My supervisor brought up a discussion in the meeting because it is a concern at Morley Stanwood Elementary that many kids miss school. After all, parents do not care and have difficulty contacting the truancy officer who posts to go home and check why kids miss many days of school.
Conclusion: It is essential because social workers are involved in policy advocacy to seek changes to frameworks that impact groups of people. This will help in the future as a social worker because we advocate on behalf of people from underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized groups, addressing policies that impact their lives and well-being. Seeing my supervisor advocate for the children, their well-being, and education by trying to ensure they come to school is really to advocate for the children. Learning from my supervisor the importance of advocating will help me in the future in social work.
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