Problem:
Macro Social Work Understanding
First, coming from an active-duty military to an accounting background, I had very little knowledge of macro level issues when I started reading Social Policy and Social Work in Organization and Communities. The very second week of class I read chapter one and two of the book, I have learned to value macro social work as social workers can promote and advocate for communities to push for bigger change at a policy level. I have learned to identify the ways that structural inequalities, public policies, and discriminations shape individual opportunities. During my interview with Ms. Denise Garrity, the conversation was mainly about policy, research and networking in the communities. it helped me understand Macro social work in a better way. Ms. Garrity stated, "In field of social work, social workers focused on helping the external environment that people live in therefore that they can indirectly help them live better." At that time, I think macro social work is unique: it uses a multi-intervention approach to solve a group level problem influenced by external factors. I define macro social work as a proactive systems level of change, involving deep research into systemic problems and leveraging advocacy, policy and lobbying to support disadvantaged communities. It is also about shifting from managing individual crises to educate communities and enact structural solution for long term equity.
Insights about Macro Practice
The first insight I gained from my interview with Ms. Garrity was when I asked her, "What are the quality and expertise for macro social workers to have?" One of the things she said was look at public policy into a strength perspective lens skills and expertise. This was one of the key concepts I read in the book (Chapin & Lewis, 2023). Chapter 1: Social Work and Social Policy: A Strengths Perspective. According to (Chapin & Lewis, 2023), The strengths perspective is a philosophical approach to social work that puts the goals, strengths, and resources of people and their environments, rather than their problems and pathologies, at the center of the helping process (Saleebey, 1992). Evidence suggests that we can improve the outcomes of social policies by focusing on people's strengths and resources in social policy development. I strongly support this concept, as gearing policy and programs that require a thorough assessment of individual needs, strengths, goals and available resources. Moreover, engage them to ask about their vision and appropriate solutions so that you are genuinely getting to know where they are and have a policy in place to ensure their well-being.
The second insight I gained from my interviewing with Ms. Garrity was when I asked, " For a social worker without experience like me, what's the best way to get a macro position especially being an immigrant?" Ms. Garrity said, "by volunteering with an organization is always good, but I would encourage someone to be knowledgeable about how they volunteer, look for a way to help the organization, whether it's helping with the social media, being in teaching positions, doing any kind of outreach for an agency and most importantly the focal point should be your strengths and identify ways that you can help." This caught my attention because when I was doing housing work, in a conversation with Amanda Proctor, license social worker, a policy person, one of the strategies I took away from her was using your strengths and focusing on one issue you are passionate about because policy can be very complicated and promote and advocate for it. Then, finding people who think like you who passionate for communities and the same problem to raise awareness as policy advocacy is important in policy practice and educate the public and legislators on areas of concern. I connected both interviews because they mentioned the importance of knowing your strengths and interests so you can better support your community through advocacy.
The third insight I gained from my Interview with Ms. Garrity was when I asked her, "How do you identify community leaders?" Ms. Garrity said, "by using the social engagement approach this method identifies leaders through their engagement in voluntary organizations in the community. This information is gathered from membership and administrative records of local service organizations." This caught my attention because social engagement is important in developing responsive policies and programs, as I read in the course. A social worker's involvement in activities that provide interaction with others in society or the community is important in making change and connecting with community leaders who can make a difference. One paragraph conclusion. Need Assignment Help?