The Handbook of Policy Practice

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.

Table of Contents:
PART 1: Context and Framework Introduction to PART 1 Chapter One - Social Policy and Social Work: An Overview Chapter Two - Recognizing the Underpinnings of Social Policy and Social Welfare Policy Chapter Three - Justice Theory and the Social Work Profession: Is This Fair and Just Chapter Four - Critical Thinking: The Key to Policy Practice Chapter Five - Contours of Analysis PART 2: The Making of Social Policies Introduction to PART 2 Chapter Six - Federal Government-Based Policy Development Chapter Seven - State and Local Government-Based Policy Development Chapter Eight - Agency Based Policy Development PART 3: Impacting the Policy Making Process Introduction to PART 3 Chapter Nine - Policy Practice Strategies, Tactics, and Techniques Chapter Ten - Social Media, Info Sheets, and Other Tools for Effective Communication PART 4: Not the End but the Beginning Introduction to PART 4 Chapter Eleven - Glossary of Policy Practice Related Terms Chapter Twelve - Final Thoughts Appendices Appendix 1 - Congressional Caucuses, 115th Congress Appendix 2 - Example of Federal Register Call for Proposed Rules Change Appendix 3 - Social Workers in Congress, 114th Congress and Social Workers in State and Local Offices Appendix 4 - Examples of Op-Eds Written by Social Workers Appendix 5: Op-ed and Letters to the Editor Guidelines, 100 On-line and Print Publications Appendix 6: Example of Policy Issue Brief Index

About the Author :
Ira C. Colby, DSW, MSW, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston. Dr. Colby describes his social work career as one of discovery, passion, concern for others, and civic engagement. His political beginnings began as a youngster when he volunteered in a neighbor's campaign for a local city council seat. Over the years, his political work led him to: participate in and lead local, state, and national advocacy efforts and groups; provide testimony to numerous local, state, and national legislative groups; and chair a political campaign. His global-to-local perspective has been enhanced by his travel and international work to more than 25 countries.

Review :
"Ira C. Colby's The Handbook of Policy Practice is a 'hands-on' practice textbook that explores ways to influence social policy . . . It offers a common-sense approach to issue analysis with added attention to the concept of social justice and necessary critical thinking skills, policy analysis, history, economics, politics, ideologies and values, and alternate policy models. Examples used will assist readers as they endeavor to analyze historical and current social welfare policies in light of the principles of social and economic justice and human rights; and understand the role of power and privilege in social welfare policy, especially as it pertains to equality, equitability, and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, class, disability, and other individual and population characteristics." - Gary Bailey, DHL, MSW, ACSW, Professor of Practice, Simmons College School of Social Work "Social work students seeking to understand social policy have an outstanding new book to help. Colby's The Handbook of Policy Practice draws on his decades of teaching and own successful policy practice experience to provide a top-notch addition to the field. The book encourages active application of material through targeted skill-building activities, turning everyone into experienced policy practitioners, one chapter at a time. In short, this book is an exciting resource for social policy courses and for helping social work students fulfill their ethical obligations in bringing change to society. Highly recommended!" - Richard Hoefer, PhD, MA, MSSW, Roy E. Dulak Professor for Community Practice Research, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington "Today's students and practitioners often feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the policy-making process and intimidated by the prospect of engaging in policy advocacy even when they have a strong interest in doing so. Ira Colby's The Handbook of Policy Practice will help them overcome these fears and uncertainties. It is an invaluable navigational guide that demystifies and makes more accessible the policy development and implementation process and is a welcome addition to the literature in these challenging times." - Michael Reisch, PhD, Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, University of Maryland