Whittier College Department of Social Work

Social Work 364: Social Welfare Policy and Services

Spring Semester 2015

Instructor: Perla Pelayo, MSW, ASW

Class Location: Hoover Memorial Hall 005

Day/Time: Thursday, 7:00pm-9:20pm

Office Hours: by appointment

Office: Building: Platner Hall, Room 113

Mail Box: In Reception Area, Platner Hall

Telephone: Voice Mail:

(562) 907-4290 leave message with Olivia Solis

Email:

Whittier College Social Work Program Mission Statement

The Whittier College undergraduate Social Work Program seeks to prepare diverse students to become self-reflective, compassionate, ethical, knowledgeable, and skilled generalist social workers who are committed to career long learning. We prepare students to aid in the empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly vulnerable and oppressed communities. In all this, we collectively work for the advancement of human rights in local, national, and global environments.

Affirming the historical roots and mission of Whittier College, the Social Work Program provides learning experiences that inspire students to become advocates for peace and social and economic justice. Students’ learning is a combination of “knowing” and “doing”, grounded in the liberal arts foundation and interdisciplinary, research-based knowledge, and problem solving methodology. We value generalist skill development that prepares reflective social work practitioners committed to promoting human well-being. Our program is designed to equip the body of professionals who will nuture the profession for the twenty-first century.

Course Description

364 Social Welfare Policy and Services:
Students examine the history ofsocial work,the history and current structure of social services, and the role that social policy plays in service delivery. Students learn to analyze social policies that effect local, national, and global social welfare issues and research that relates to competent social service delivery. The course also focuses on strategies that advocate for policy consistent withsocial workvaluesand skills and that prepare students to collaborate with clients and work within economic, political, and
organizational systems. One semester, 3 credits.

Understanding Generalist Social Work Practice

Generalist social work practitioners promote human well-being for both diverse and oppressed groups in individual, family, group, organizational, community, and global settings. They utilize self-reflection, critical thinking, evidence-based knowledge, professional values, and a wide range of skills to collaborate with others to create “personal and social transformation”. Generalist social work practitioners, under supervision, engage in socially just practice through an interactive process of change which includes:

1.  engagement – collaborating with clients/partners to promote helping relationships;

2.  teaching & learning – a mutual process of discovering client/partner strengths and challenges and planning for strategic change;

3.  action and accompaniment – working together with clients/partners to create meaningful change;

4.  evaluation & critical reflection – assessing the process with clients/partners and reflecting on one’s personal and professional experience; and

5.  celebration and newengagements – affirming success and planning with clients/partners for sustained growth and change.

Reference: Finn, J.L. & Jacobson, M. (2008). Just practice: A social justice approach to social work.2nd Edition. Peosta, Iowa. eddie bowers publishing co, inc.

Social Work Program Learning Culture

When you are admitted into the Social Work Program, you become a member of both an academic major and a profession. This membership is both a privilege and responsibility that is informed by your own judgment, the Social Work Program’s guidelines, and the NASW Code of Ethics (2008). All students enrolled in social work classes, whatever their declared majors, are held to the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics (2008), the IASSW Code of Ethics, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Our social work classes and field placements reflect a professional culture of “best practices” that call out the highest standards of social work values and ethics. We behave this way now, not just in the future. We learn more than information. We also learn to behave in ways that promote growth for ourselves and for our community.

The social work value of “competence” shapes our own Social Work Program (NASW Code of Ethics, (2008). When we are competent, we honor both our abilities and limitations. We show up. We do our best. We are prepared to participate in class and in field. We contribute by completing assignments in a timely and thoughtful manner. We are actively engaged in discussions that benefit our learning as well as our colleagues. We attend to professional roles and boundaries. We demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication (CSWE, 2008). We utilize supervision and consultation in class, community partnerships and in field education. We respect confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality as guided by our instructors. We ask for support when we need it. We invest in others when we are able. We are engaged in our community partnerships and field placements, honoring the guidelines of the agency, our field educators, our faculty, and our own professional wisdom. Our clothing and behavior reflect respect for our community partners and the work we value. We listen, reflect, and learn - about ourselves, our colleagues, our discipline, and our world. And we have fun in the process!

Academic Integrity

“Academic honesty is expected of all members of the Whittier College community. Failure to adhere to standards of honesty will result in sanctions” (Whittier College Catalog, 2005-2007, p. 28, unpublished, online edition).Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized collaboration, among other behaviors. Please review the college’s Academic Honesty policy for full details (available in the online Whittier College Catalog, p. 28-33 and in your Student Handbook). In addition, please talk to the instructor if you have concerns about how to avoid plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, you should competently be able to:

1.  Structural Inequalities: Describe the impact of structural inequalities on individuals & communities

2.  Systems Change: Describe how policy can address inequalities and create social & economic justice

3.  Root Causes: Identify the root causes for major social issues using a systems perspective

4.  Ecology of Policy: Explain the basic governmental structures and processes involved in developing, passing, & implementing social policy

5.  Building Power: Map out the political landscape and create strategies to build power

6.  Advocacy: Communicate effectively to mobilize community members and influence elected officials to support social policy consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Statement of Need.

Students desiring accommodations on the basis of physical, learning, or psychological disability for this class are to contact Disability Services. Disability Services is located on the ground floor of the Library, room G003, and can be reached by calling extension 4825.

Required Readings:

1. Jansson, Bruce. (2014).Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice, 7th Edition.

Course Requirements

Course Schedule, Activities, and Assignments

1. Attendance & Participation: Each of us will play a crucial role in one another’s learning process, and we have much to learn from one another. Each student is expected to come to class prepared to share their experiences, reflections, and beliefs and participate fully. We will create a space for one another that promotes learning, discussion, and growth, and we will challenge one another in the spirit of inspiring this growth. For these reasons, attendance and participation in every class are essential. Participation points will be determined based on demonstration of reflection and exploration, active class participation and engagement, as well as attendance and punctuality. Please see Attachment B “Participation Rubric” for participation requirements and guidelines.

Participation will be evaluated in each class, and students will be awarded up to 10 points per class. The lowest participation grade will be dropped. Participation is worth a total of 100 points for the semester.

2. Report on Policy Related Meeting: Students will be asked to attend one policy-related meeting in an area of individual interest and to submit written a descriptions of the meeting. You have a choice to attend any public meeting of elected public policy makers (such as the County Board of Supervisors, a Board of Education, City Council Meeting, or any subcommittees of these groups). This assignment is worth 20 points. Hard Copy DUE: MARCH 12th at 7 pm.

Students will then submit a report (of 4-5 pages) on the process and substance of each meeting, organized according to the following outline:

a.)  Description of the setting;

b.)  Description of the participants;

c.)  At least one of the key policy issues addressed;

d.)  Observations on interactions between members;

e.)  Observations on interactions between the members and the audience;

f.)  Conclusions about what was accomplished during the meeting.

3. NASW Lobby Days: We have an exciting opportunity for a hands-on policy advocacy experience at NASW CA’s Legislative Lobby Days in Sacramento, April 19th and April20th, 2015. We will be visiting our legislators to advocate for social work policy issues on which they will be voting. Active participation in Lobby Days is worth 30 points.

4. Policy Change Project: Students will work in groups of 2-4 to choose a local, state, or federal policy issue to advocate around. Students will create and execute a strategy for change and/or partner with a community group, with whom they can learn and execute a strategy for change. Students must participate in at least one strategy to advocate for change that mobilizes others (i.e., organize a meeting, make phone calls, write letters, testify a hearing, create a video, etc.). Groups will engage their classmates in action around this policy change in class presentation on May 7th. This portion is worth 30 points.

5.  Policy Change Paper: Each student will hand in their own written portion that outlines the synthesis of their learning on each of the major course objectives. This portion is worth 70 points. DUE: on May 7th at 7pm.

Course Schedule:

Please refer to Attachment A, to view course schedule, according to each day of class.

Assignments and Grading System:

PossiblePoints / Grading Scale
GRADING:*
Participation 100 points
Lobby Days Participation 30 points
Policy Related Meeting 50 points
Policy Change Action Day 30 points
Policy Change Paper 70 points
TOTAL: 250 POINTS / Letter Grades
A = 94%-100%
A- = 90%-93%
B+ = 87%-89%
B = 83%-86%
B- = 80%-82%
C+ = 77%-79%
C = 73%-76%
C- = 70%-72%
D = 60%-69%
F = 59% and below
*Late assignments are dropped half a letter grade for each day they are late.

Websites:

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: www.cbpp.org/housingvoucher.htm

Child Welfare League of America: www.cwla.org

Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) website: -www.cswe.org

National Alliance to End Homelessness: www.endhomelessness.org/

First 5 – referral site for children (0-5 yr) and their families: www.first5.org

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/Homeless: www.hud.gov/homeless/index.cfm

Whittier Area Peace & Justice Coalition: www.followthrough.net/WAPJC

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority: www.lahsa.org/

Latino Social Work Organization: www.lswo.org.

L.A. Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness: www.lacehh.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless: www.nationalhomeless.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless: www.nch.ari.net

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty: www.nlchp.org/

National Organization of Social Workers, CA: www.naswca.org

Info about “no-sweat” products: www.nosweatshop.com

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: www.pflag.org

Social Welfare Action Alliance, a progressive coalition of social workers and service recipients, link page to progressive/radical and government websites: www.redandgreen.org/SWAA/SWAALinks.htm

Identifies current “hot topics” in legislation and policy: www.rtumble.org

Info about products/stores that use “sweat labor” and ways that you can purchase “no sweat” stuff: www.sweatshopwatch.org

Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty (Weingart Center): www.weingart.org/institute/

World Wide Web Resources for Social Workers: www.nyu.edu/socialwork/wwwrsw

Online Policy Sites

For a list of links to many policy-related sites: www.newyorkwired.com/sspolicy.htm

Department of Health and Human Services: hhs.gov

Administration for Children and Families: acf.gov

Administration on Aging: aoa.gov

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality: ahrq.gov

Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: cms.hhs.gov

Food and Drug Administration: fda.gov

Health Resources and Services Administration: hrsa.gov

Indian Health Services: his.gov

Executive Office of the President: whitehouse.gov

Families USA: The Voice for Health Care Consumers (good resource for Medicaid Information):

familiesusa.org

Future of Children (good research on child welfare and health): futureofchildren.org

Office of National Drug Control Policy: (1) whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/ (2)

whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/policy/papers

Legislation (Current bills): http://thomas.loc.gov/

Legislation (previous laws): http://thomas.loc.gov/home/bdquery.html

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: nih.gov

National Institutes of Health: nih.gov

National Institute of Drug Abuse: nida.nih.gov/NIDAhome1.html

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: niaaa.nih.gov

National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov/home.cfm

President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health: mentalhealthcommission.gov/

Rand Drug Abuse Policy Research Center: rand.org/centers/dprc

Robert Wood Johnson Substance Abuse Policy Research Center: phs.bgsm.edu/sshp/rwj/rwj.htm

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: samhsa.gov

Center for Mental Health Services: mentalhealth.gov

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention: samhsa.gov/csap

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment: samhsa.gov/csat

Knowledge Exchange Network:

Office of Managed Care: mentalhealth.org/cmhm/managedcare

National Association of State Mental Health Program Director: nashpd.org

National Mental Health Association: nmha.org

National Mental Health Information Center: The Center for Mental Health Services:

mentalhealth.org/cmhs/ManagedCare/resource