The Handbook of Policy Practice

by Ira C. Colby

Overview

All social work practice 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. 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, The Handbook of Policy Practice is an essential resource for all BSW and MSW students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190858827
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/26/2018
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 0.90(d)

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.

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

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher