Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.
Respond by 09/08/2021 to at least two colleagues with a description of whether you see social workers as being proactive or reactive in the policy arena. Describe what steps could be taken to enhance the influence of the social work profession in defining social problems and creating social policy. Provide two suggestions on how social workers can make the recommended changes to the policy that your colleague described.
Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.
Return to this Discussion to read the responses to your initial post. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Student Response 1: Tre Paige
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2
A brief explanation of the event you selected that led to the formation of a social policy.
When discussing the formation of a social policy, an event that comes to mind would be the 2021 president’s inauguration. On January 6, 2021, the US Capitol in Washington, DC, was violently attacked, causing 5 deaths, injuries, and damage. This year’s inauguration was also restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Being in the middle of a pandemic on top of the 2021 United States capitol attack caused many changes in the traditional inauguration and a need for top security and proper safety precautions.
Explain what changes you would make to the policy that resulted from this event and why.
During this time, a few new policies were reinforced and implemented: Widespread street closures, a lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool to honor those killed by the coronavirus, Discovery education provided a virtual learning experience to teachers, students, and families with a greeting from the first lady and requiring the new “Green Zone” lockdown for downtown Washington, DC. I do agree with the new policy changes and recommendations. However, I suggest changing the inauguration date or requiring a new undisclosed location to stream the inauguration virtually using top security.
Explain the role of social work (as a profession and political lobby) in the formation of the policy.
As the social worker, my first concern and the main objective is the safety of the people and communities who may or may not have been affected by these events. Next, I must understand the policies thoroughly to be sure they are implemented in the communities effectively. For example, lobbying (a political skill) depends on policy analysis (an analytical skill), and the lobbyist needs to be skilled at bargaining, negotiation, and persuasion (interactional skills) (Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. 2019). I would explain the benefits of the lockdown and how it protects those of the communities. Keeping those affected in the loop of what is going on in terms of top security and steps taken by policymakers could put them at ease and reduce some stress and worries. Also, I would advocate for social distancing, wearing your mask, and staying home to help reduce the spread of the virus.
References:
Friedell, D., & Umana, J. (2021, January 20). FAQs: 2021 inauguration plans after Capitol riot, amid pandemic. WTOP. https://wtop.com/inauguration/2021/01/faq-what-are-the-current-plans-for-the-2021-inauguration/
Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Student Response 2:DeAnna Oliver
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2
Policy is the “principles, guidelines, or procedures that serve the purpose of maximizing uniformity in decision making” (Popple & Leighninger, 2019). Social policy is the “efforts to shape the overall quality of life in a society, the living conditions of its members, and their relations to one another and to society as a whole” (Popple & Leighninger, 2019). There is a process that is required to be fulfilled before a social policy would be entertained by those in power to create change. The process is very extensive and extremely important for all social workers to understand.
In 2007, South Carolina had its first case of human trafficking. It involved a 14-year-old girl who was trafficked from Mexico. It was reported that the victim contacted her sister in Mexico and provided limited information of whereabouts in hopes of receiving help. It was reported that the victim was forced to provide services to over a dozen men per day in the Midlands of South Carolina (WIS News, 2010). The victim was rescued rather quickly. When she finally develops a sense of trust with officials after months, she informed the investigators that she was indeed trafficked from Mexico in July 2006.
In ten years, the amount of human trafficking cases rose tremendously. In 2017, there were 18 human trafficking cases closed through a South Carolina court and of that amount 7 involved minors (SC, Human Trafficking Task Force, 2018). South Carolina local law enforcement charged 59 counts of human trafficking in 2017 and of that amount 22 involved minors (SC, Human Trafficking Task Force, 2018). In 2012, South Carolina legislature amended the laws as it refers to human trafficking. Under SC Code of Laws, it gives an extensive list of terminology associated with human trafficking and the legal definitions. Unlike the laws prior to 2012, the amended law gave stricter penalties to perpetrators convicted of any form of trafficking. In addition, it charged the state with developing a Task Force to help combat human trafficking in South Carolina.
Social workers are a critical component to the development of policies. We not only have knowledge on the effects of social institutions on individuals but also on the society as a whole. Therefore, having a person with such wealth of knowledge will help guide policy makers in making decisions that will not only be healthy and beneficial for the large industrial companies but also the individuals who may live near their companies or even work for them.
References:
Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Follow rubric
Responsiveness to Directions 8.1 (27%) – 9 (30%)
Discussion posting fully addresses all instruction prompts, including responding to the required number of peer posts.
Discussion
Posting Content 8.1 (27%) – 9 (30%)
Discussion posting demonstrates an excellent understanding of all of the concepts and key points presented in the text(s) and Learning Resources. Posting provides significant detail including multiple relevant examples, evidence from the readings and other scholarly sources, and discerning ideas.
Peer Feedback
and Interaction 6.75 (22.5%) – 7.5 (25%)
The feedback postings and responses to questions are excellent and fully contribute to the quality of interaction by offering constructive critique, suggestions, in-depth questions, additional resources, and stimulating thoughts and/or probes.
Writing 4.05 (13.5%) – 4.5 (15%)
Postings are well organized, use scholarly tone, contain original writing and proper paraphrasing, follow APA style, contain very few or no writing and/or spelling errors, and are fully consistent with graduate level writing style.
