Essentials of Social Work Policy Practice

A concise overview of the policy practice information social workers need to advocate for policy changes within an organization and at local, state, and national levels

Given the nature of their work, social workers must understand social problems and the ways social welfare policies are established. Written by a leading expert in social work policy, Essentials of Social Work Policy Practice presents specific tactics for policy practice as well as instructions on how to implement it at several different organizational and government levels.

Focusing on developing skills, Essentials of Social Work Policy Practice is a practical resource that includes step-by-step guidelines for putting a plan into action and working efficiently within a system. Techniques are presented for handling a number of related topics including effective interpersonal communication and participation, utilizing technology and the media in policy practice, creating change within organizations, and many more.

As part of the Essentials of Social Work Practice series, this book is an indispensable resource that offers a concise yet thorough overview of policy practice, numerous tips for best practices, and valuable advice that must be at one's fingertips to practice knowledgeably, effectively, and ethically. Each chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, case examples, and extensive illustrative material, as well as vignettes that promote critical thinking around policy practice planning.

Series Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

One Introduction to Community-Based Policy Practice 1

Two Essentials of the Planning Process 14

Three Essentials of Effective Interpersonal Communication and Participation 27

Four Communicating with the Public through the Media 43

Five Utilizing Technology in Policy Practice 60

Six Essentials of Interest Group Politics: Coalition Building and Task Force Development 83

Seven Essentials of Community-Based Policy Practice 104

Eight Essentials of Legislative Policy Practice 125

Nine Monitoring the Bureaucracy and Creating Change within Organizations 151

Ten Essentials of Judicial Policy Practice 171

References 191

Index 197

"Rocha's book…makes an important contribution to the literature and knowledge base. [It] is ideal for students and undergraduate- and graduate-level policy practice classes, faculty, nonprofit professionals, and social work practitioners." (Journal of Community Practice, 2009) Cynthia J. Rocha, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She has taught social work policy courses for more than a decade, and has also written several journal articles and book chapters on policy and policy practice. A concise overview of the policy practice information social workers need to advocate for policy changes within an organization and at local, state, and national levels

Given the nature of their work, social workers must understand social problems and the ways social welfare policies are established. Written by a leading expert in social work policy, Essentials of Social Work Policy Practice presents specific tactics for policy practice as well as instructions on how to implement it at several different organizational and government levels.

Focusing on developing skills, Essentials of Social Work Policy Practice is a practical resource that includes step-by-step guidelines for putting a plan into action and working efficiently within a system. Techniques are presented for handling a number of related topics including effective interpersonal communication and participation, utilizing technology and the media in policy practice, creating change within organizations, and many more.

As part of the Essentials of Social Work Practice series, this book is an indispensable resource that offers a concise yet thorough overview of policy practice, numerous tips for best practices, and valuable advice that must be at one's fingertips to practice knowledgeably, effectively, and ethically. Each chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, case examples, and extensive illustrative material, as well as vignettes that promote critical thinking around policy practice planning.