SOCW 6361 Week 2 Discussion 1

 What changes would you make to the policy described by your colleague? Explain. Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.

How, as a professional social worker, will you work to ensure policies adequately represent the needs of oppressed and marginalized populations? Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.

What is your ethical responsibility as a social worker to engage in policy practice within your own practice or agency?

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•What changes would you make to the policy described by your colleague? Explain. Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.
I would change the policy to have the program be available to anyone homeless. A mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses should not have to be a requirement. Limiting the housing to  those who have a mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses is a barrier for someone who doesn’t have a diagnosis but is homeless.
•How, as a professional social worker, will you work to ensure policies adequately represent the needs of oppressed and marginalized populations? Describe the specific policy advocacy skills you will use.
As a professional social worker, I would advocate to make sure policies meet the needs of the populations I am working with by being involved assessing whether or not resources are appropriate. I will also educate client on how to advocate for themselves.
•What is your ethical responsibility as a social worker to engage in policy practice within your own practice or agency?
I work with the elderly and disabled and because they are a vulnerable population, it is my obligation as their social worker to assess on their behalf and advocate for the things the need.  According to NASW(2017) “Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully”. I advocate within my organization for my clients.
References:
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/