The Handbook of Policy Practice

The Handbook for Policy Practice is a hands-on practice textbook that explores ways to influence social policy in an agency setting or through formal governmental processes. The text offers a common-sense approach to issue analysis with added attention to the concept of social justice and necessary critical thinking skills.

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All social work practice, from intervention to how payments or reimbursements are made, is regulated by social policies. Professionals, however, cannot arbitrarily select which policy to follow in any circumstance; knowing what comprises a given policy is essential, but equally important is understanding how to amend a policy by applying unique skills that reflect the social work profession's shared values and beliefs. Recognizing that a series of interdependent
social policies govern every aspect of social work in both nonprofit and public organizations, this practice-specific textbook focuses on influencing social policies in an agency setting or through formal governmental processes.

The Handbook for Policy Practice explores a wide range of topics that are critical tools in every social worker's policy practice repertoire:
· Recognizing the various social justice theories and their role in social policy.
· Understanding critical thinking as a practice skill.
· Social media as a practice tool.
· Preparing and presenting testimony to a legislative committee or group of people.
· Formulating a clear, well-focused written policy brief for a Board of Directors or legislative committee.
· Organizing policy specific advocacy activities including a public forum, social work day at the legislature, and voter registration projects.
· The "30-second elevator speech."
· Writing newspaper "op-eds" and "letters to the editor."

Purposefully, the Handbook also relies on information comes from the digital world. Using the web as a primary source builds on the social work profession's long-held belief to begin where the client is. Using the links to the various data and citation sources, readers will learn to identify and discern the features of a valid web site. As a whole, this book is an essential resource for all BSW and MSW students.