Social Work Policy Practice: Changing Our Community, Nation, and the World

The third edition of Social Work Policy Practice: Changing Our Community, Nation, and the World demystifies policymaking for social work students and demonstrates why policy practice is a critical dimension of social work. The text provides a comprehensive introduction to political advocacy and the political process to inspire social work students to enter the field with a mind for advocacy and social justice.

The book is divided into three parts. In Part I, students learn a brief history of social welfare legislation in the United States and the role of social workers in policy development. Part II includes an overview of the levels and branches of government, in-depth descriptions of the policy change process, and various strategies advocates employ to enact change. Part III consists of real-world stories of advocates and advocacy organizations that have attempted to change policies on behalf of vulnerable populations in a wide range of social work fields such as healthcare, mental health, children and families, aging, immigration, and civil rights.

This edition features updated policy changes throughout all chapters including fresh material on social movements, such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, and the impacts of the Trump presidency and the coronavirus pandemic on social welfare policy.

Engaging and accessible, Social Work Policy Practice is an ideal resource for courses that introduce policymaking to undergraduate and graduate students of social work.

Jessica A. Ritter is a professor of social work at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level social work courses. Dr. Ritter earned her doctoral and master's degrees in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. As a practicing social worker, she is committed to improving and protecting children's rights in the United States and around the world. Dr. Ritter is a Fulbright scholar and has authored and coauthored numerous books, book chapters, and articles within the field.