Discussion Post: The Policy Making Environment
Politics and policy are interrelated, as the ability to effect a broad social change is often through the halls of government. Many key policies you studied in this course and use in practice are the result of a long political journey. Social work and politics may seem to exist in different worlds, but one can inform the other in beneficial ways. In this Discussion, you examine the purpose of social work on the journey from social change to political change.
a) Reflect on the relationship between social work values and ethics with the policy process.
b) Consider contemporary news stories about policy related to social welfare and reflect on what role social workers could play.
Then Post a response to the following:
a) Explain the role social workers can play in the political realm of policy making.
b) To what degree does a particular policy approach or approaches align well with social work values and ethics?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.