Social Justice

Prompt Given:

Evaluate and summarize 2 research papers on the topic of attitudes towards race and policing.

Racial discrimination remains an issue in the United States. On the topic of race and policing, it's an even more difficult topic to address and one that needs attention. 

Being able to understand the attitudes and beliefs that each racial-ethnic group possesses helps those within the criminal justice system be able to enhance their relationships with the communities they serve as well as address any issues that may have been overlooked.

"In January 2013, the Medicare IVIG Access Act (HR 1845) was signed into law by President Barack Obama, creating a three-year demonstration project allowing for the payment of home infusion services for Medicare patients with PI. Before the Medicare IVIG Access Act was implemented, Medicare beneficiaries were effectively denied IVIG in the home setting, forcing patients with PI to seek care in other settings even when their most appropriate site of care might be the home. While Medicare Part B includes a special provision for patients with PI to receive home infusions of IVIG, the Medicare law included only reimbursement for the Ig product, not allowing for Medicare payment for nursing services or other items necessary for infusions in the home setting. IDF believes that patients with PI should have the right to access to all sites of care including the right to be infused in the home setting if that is medically appropriate. With this belief in mind, IDF strived for years to have legislation passed that would correct this hollow benefit in the Medicare law and allow Medicare patients with PI to access IVIG home infusions" (IDF, 2016).

Immune Deficiency Foundation. Medicare IVIG Access Act and Demonstration Project | Immune Deficiency Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://primaryimmune.org/idf-advocacy-center/ivig-reimbursement

Sometimes it's not about you. Sometimes, you have to speak up and be a voice for others in your community. In December of 2007, my friend Michelle Fox and I were asked if we would reach out to Sen. John Kerry and ask for his help. They wanted us to ask him to champion legislation to help correct an unintended fallout with a recent Medicare change. I definitely didn't feel qualified by any stretch to step into the legislative realm, but...sometimes, it's not about you. 

Even though the problem wasn't one that touched our family directly, it was a problem that impacted the lives of so many in the immune deficient patient population. I knew that I had a passion for advocacy, so there was no question about it - if I had a voice, I was going to use it.

The challenge was accepted. 

It was a long journey from beginning to end, with lots of trips to Capitol Hill and the Massachusetts State House. There were a lot of phone calls and meetings...but, in 2013, President Obama signed the Medicare IVIG Access Act into law!

I was honored and humbled to be able to represent such an amazing patient population. It was a true blessing to be able to work with the Immune Deficiency Foundation and all the amazing volunteers and see this challenge through to completion! 

Prompt Given:

As an advocate for positive change, you are inspired to address the social issues that align with your personal ideals. Your personality, lived experiences, and path to personal growth have contributed to your social change identity, fostering qualities that will enable you to serve a purpose greater than yourself. Whether your change agency focuses on education reform, violence against women, poverty and hunger, or animal abuse, you have a unique purpose that motivates you to answer the question: How can I advocate for the change that I want to see in the world? In this assignment, you will examine the various psychosocial factors that impact your efforts to advocate for your cause.

Directions

Using the learning from your Module Three Milestone assignment, you will refer to a social change initiative that aligns with your personal ideals and examine the role of advocacy in your efforts to effect positive social change. 

1. Describe the ways in which grit, resilience, and coping skills are essential to any advocacy effort.

2. Describe how you would apply the principles of emotional intelligence for collaboration in your advocacy efforts.

3. Describe the psychology subdisciplines that are most relevant to the interdisciplinary nature of your advocacy efforts.

4. Describe the ways in which your knowledge of psychology has prepared you to execute your social change initiative.

Throughout our lives, we are called to be advocates...whether it be for personal, professional, or societal reasons. Understanding the importance of being an effective advocate is an essential skill that one should constantly be working to develop and grow. Grit, resilience, healthy coping skills, and emotional intelligence are foundational components for an effective advocate. Knowing how and when to appropriately utilize the understanding, skills, attitudes, and coping mechanisms will enable you to be a powerful and positive force to be reckoned with...a powerful and effective advocate that can change the world for good!