Read the three vignettes on page 3 and 4 (
Chapter 1 in Cummins et al., 2011
) Answer the question, “Based on the NASW Code of Ethics, what would you do in each of the vignettes?” Make sure to address each vignette and directly reference the NASW Code of Ethics (
https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics
). If you would prefer to upload a video recording as your response, please feel free but be sure to include referenced material.
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vignettes?
4
Chapter 1
his children lived out of state, though they were in close touch with him by
phone. On a recent home visit, Mr. Anderson appeared to have lost some weight
since their last appointment, and Juan became concerned that Mr. Anderson
might not be eating properly. When Juan called the local Meals on Wheels pro-
gram, he found out Mr. Anderson was not eligible for services because his road
was outside their service area.
Vignette #3
Jennifer, a social worker for a local homeless shelter, was working with the
Rodriguez family, who recently moved to the area. Both parents worked at
minimum-wage jobs at the local poultry processing plant south of town.
Even with their combined wages, they could not afford the expensive health
insurance offered by the company or any independent policies. Their three
children were in elementary school and doing well. The family also could
not find affordable housing in the community. Their older-model car was not
reliable, so housing outside of town--which might have been less
expensive---was not practical. The wait for Section 8 Housing (subsidized
housing) was over two years and, at the time, the office was not even taking
applications.
Many social workers begin their careers with a passion for helping indi-
viduals and families like the Anderson and Rodriguez families above. They
have learned how to engage clients in the helping process, do comprehen-
sive assessments, collaboratively develop intervention plans, and monitor
their implementation. Even though part of the intervention may involve
linking families and individuals with community resources to meet identi-
fied needs, many social workers focus on micro practice--helping specific
people in need. When social workers monitor family progress, they are often
able to see specific improvements in the family's situation as a result of their
planned interventions.
At other times, progress is not so easily achieved. Analyzing family cir-
cumstances using systems theory, social workers can determine what factors
are creating barriers to change. Sometimes the barriers are internal, such as
low motivation or limited ability to cook nutritious meals, as in Mr.
Anderson's situation described in vignette #2. Sometimes the barriers are
external (e.g., community and societal barriers), such as Mr. Anderson living
outside the service area of the Meals on Wheels program or laws that do not
apply in certain situations. When social workers encounter difficulties in
linking people to community resources or in making sure that the services
are adequate to address the need, they are confronted with the need for
policy practice, for making changes in the community and social systems
within which clients live (the clients' environment) and work, so that indi-
viduals and families can achieve safe and stable lives. Sometimes the servic-
es needed are not available in a particular geographic location, as with the
case of Mr. Anderson. If so, then services need to be expanded or created.
Sometimes the economic structure of a community creates challenges for
parents who are already working hard to care for their families, as with the
Rodriguez family. To assist the Rodriguez family and others in similar cir-
cumstances, new opportunities need to be created through major policy
changes, such as raising the minimum wage and building more affordable
housing closer to the available jobs. These macro-practice changes will
5
Defining Policy Practice in Social Work
require great effort and take time before changes can take hold because the
targets of change may include several environmental components (such as
new laws, changes in agency policy, or additional resources). So although
they represent a long-term solution, they may not offer much hope for imme-
diate relief.
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SITE LO Social and eco-
nomic justice is seen as the driving force behind the mandate for the profes-
sion's involvement in policy practice. Incorporating the experience of the 2008
election, the text reviews current and new strategies for influencing public pol-
icy, including the use of new media and social networking Web sites. This book
is designed to help enhance your policy practice skills in the hope that you, too,
will influence the policy-making processes in your agencies, communities,
BUT
Defining Policy Practice in Social Work
3
states, and nation. In doing so, you can make a tremendous difference in the
lives of individuals and families living and working in unjust conditions and
living on the margins of society, just as Jane Addams and many other social
workers have done in the past. Social workers reclaiming the responsibility and
power of policy practi today are again making important contributions to
clients' lives, organizations, communities, and the nation in achieving new
levels of social and economic justice.
ABOUT THE CHAPTER
To introduce you to the idea of how policy practice often infuses social work
practice, this chapter begins with several fictional vignettes within a range of set-
tings that depict social workers engaging in policy practice. The scenarios
demonstrate the variety of roles that social workers can play in improving social
work practice by seeking changes in policies that limit practice options for pop-
ulations that social workers often encounter. These vignettes set the stage for a
more in-depth look at the many dimensions of policy practice and how they play
out in the practice of social work in various settings across a variety of levels of
intervention. The principles and values related to policy practice are discussed,
and an overview of later chapters is provided that details specific aspects of
policy practice. It is worthwhile to see policy practice in several contexts and
how individual social workers can make a real difference. Such experiences are
demonstrated in the vignettes that follow. Try to imagine yourself in these social
work roles.
POLICY PRACTICE AT THE CORE
OF SOCIAL WORK
Experiences of Three Social Workers
Vignette #1
Emily was shadowing the state agency workers responsible for licensing day
care facilities in the state when they made their visit to New Prospect Mission
Day Care in a small town-some distance from the state capital. As a church-
affiliated day care center, New Prospect Mission was not required to be licensed
by the state, but one of the parents had requested the visit. Emily was appalled
by the conditions they found: formula and milk in a refrigerator that did not
work, roaches in the cupboard, few toys and little play equipment, and too few
staff supervising children. She was incensed that nothing could be done legally
to better protect the health and safety of the children attending this day care
center. Several weeks later, she learned about hearings being conducted at
the State House on a bill to require state licensing of all child care facilities in
the state, including those operated by churches.
Critical Thinking Question
Based on the Code of
Vignette #2
Ethics, what would you
Juan, a case manager at the local Area Agency on Aging, was working with a do in each of these
fiercely independent elderly gentleman, Mr. Anderson, who lived alone. All of vignettes?
Ethical
Practice
4
Chapter 1
3
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000
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