Policy Affects Practice:
Policy Affects Practice Series
Making a Difference: Influencing Social Policy
“As the nation devolves many of its policies to state and local governments, social workers must reconceptualize social welfare policy as an interventive discipline to keep other groups from shaping policies that will apply to vulnerable and powerless citizens” Bruce S. Jansson
1. As noted by Dr. Jansson above, social workers need to be active and effective in influencing policy. What basic themes were outlines in this presentation?
This presentation outlined why it is important for social workers to plan an active role in policy making. It discussed the ways in policy directly affects practice. It outlined different ways social workers can become active and effective in influencing policy. As well as ways that social workers can empower their clients to become active in policy.
2. What impact (directly or indirectly) has the 1999 “Personal Responsibility Act” had on the social work profession and the role of federal government in social policy?
This Personal Responsibility Act shifted much of the responsibility for social policy from the federal government to the state governments. This act allows states to run their own social welfare programs and ended the federal guarantee of assistance. These social policies directly affect practice. These policies dictate what programs are funded, which clients that social workers work with, and the services that can provided for clients.
3. Dr. Shelia Kamerman of Columbia University indicated that policy affects practice. What impact does “policy” have on you as a social work practitioner and other practitioner? Provide two examples.
Policy dictates the guidelines for licensing, services rendered, treatment, and reimbursement. Policies make the decision about what diagnosis will be reimbursed and what will not. This affects who social workers are able to serve. Policies also make the decisions
Making a Difference: Influencing Social Policy
“As the nation devolves many of its policies to state and local governments, social workers must reconceptualize social welfare policy as an interventive discipline to keep other groups from shaping policies that will apply to vulnerable and powerless citizens” Bruce S. Jansson
1. As noted by Dr. Jansson above, social workers need to be active and effective in influencing policy. What basic themes were outlines in this presentation?
This presentation outlined why it is important for social workers to plan an active role in policy making. It discussed the ways in policy directly affects practice. It outlined different ways social workers can become active and effective in influencing policy. As well as ways that social workers can empower their clients to become active in policy.
2. What impact (directly or indirectly) has the 1999 “Personal Responsibility Act” had on the social work profession and the role of federal government in social policy?
This Personal Responsibility Act shifted much of the responsibility for social policy from the federal government to the state governments. This act allows states to run their own social welfare programs and ended the federal guarantee of assistance. These social policies directly affect practice. These policies dictate what programs are funded, which clients that social workers work with, and the services that can provided for clients.
3. Dr. Shelia Kamerman of Columbia University indicated that policy affects practice. What impact does “policy” have on you as a social work practitioner and other practitioner? Provide two examples.
Policy dictates the guidelines for licensing, services rendered, treatment, and reimbursement. Policies make the decision about what diagnosis will be reimbursed and what will not. This affects who social workers are able to serve. Policies also make the decisions