You are in: Central America
Change location

You are here

Book > Textbooks > Social Policy
Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy
Share
Share

Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy
Advancing Social Justice Through Eight Policy Sectors

Second Edition
March 2019 | 552 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Download flyer
Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy presents a multi-level framework to show students how micro, mezzo, and macro policy advocacy can be used effectively by social workers in eight policy sectors: healthcare, gerontology, safety-net, child and family, mental health, education, immigration, and criminal justice. Author Bruce S. Jansson identifies seven core problems within each sector and discusses the skills social workers need, the challenges they face, and the interventions they can use at each level of advocacy. Readers will gain knowledge of social welfare policy issues and be equipped with essential tools for engaging in policy advocacy.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
A Brief Bio-Sketch of Bruce S. Jansson
 
1. Becoming a Policy Advocate in Eight Policy Sectors
Learning Objectives

 
Engage Social Welfare Policy Whether You Are Micro or Macro

 
Conceptualizing Policy Practice

 
Understanding How a Multilevel Policy Advocacy Framework Was Developed

 
Linking the Multilevel Advocacy Framework to Eight Policy Sectors

 
Using This Book as a Road Map for Your Student and Professional Career

 
Contrasting Micro Policy Advocacy With Clinical Practice

 
Understanding How the NASW Code of Ethics Requires Use of Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Policy Advocacy

 
Using Policy Advocacy to Help Vulnerable Populations

 
Analyzing a Multilevel Policy Advocacy Framework

 
Providing Policy Advocacy at Three Levels

 
Linking Three Levels of Advocacy for Pregnant Teens and Teen Mothers

 
Developing Micro Policy Advocacy Red Flag Alerts

 
Developing Red Flag Alerts at Three Levels

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
2. Advancing Social Justice With Seven Core Problems
Learning Objectives

 
Defining Social Policies

 
Defining Social Justice

 
Core Problem 1: Advancing Ethical Rights, Human Rights, and Economic Justice

 
Core Problem 2: Improving the Quality of Social Programs

 
Core Problem 3: Making Social Programs and Policies More Culturally Responsive

 
Core Problem 4: Developing Preventive Strategies to Decrease Social Problems

 
Core Problem 5: Improving Affordability and Access to Social Programs

 
Core Problem 6: Increasing the Scope and Effectiveness of Mental Health Programs

 
Core Problem 7: Making Social Programs More Relevant to Households and Communities

 
Recognizing the Seven Core Problems in the Eight Policy Sectors

 
Joining the Reform Tradition of Social Work

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
3. How Policy Advocates Advanced Social Justice Through American History
Learning Objectives

 
The Colonial Period

 
The Gilded Age

 
The Progressive Period

 
The Great Depression

 
The Great Society

 
Nixon’s Surprise

 
Conservative Counterrevolutions

 
Preparing for a New Reform Period

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
4. Providing Micro Policy Advocacy Interventions
Learning Objectives

 
Defining Micro Policy Advocacy

 
Reading the Context

 
Challenge 1: Deciding Whether to Proceed

 
Challenge 2: Deciding Where to Focus

 
Challenge 3: Obtaining Recognition That a Client Has an Important, Unresolved Problem

 
Challenge 4: Analyzing or Diagnosing Why a Client Has an Unresolved Problem

 
Challenge 5: Developing a Strategy to Address a Client’s Unresolved Problem

 
Challenges 6, 7, and 8: Implementing and Assessing Micro Policy Starategy

 
Measuring and Predicting Micro Policy Advocacy of Specific Frontline Professionals

 
Learn How a Social Worker Engaged in Micro Policy Advocacy

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
5. Practicing Mezzo Policy Advocacy Interventions
Learning Objectives

 
Defining Mezzo Policy Advocacy

 
Identifying Five Skills Needed for Mezzo Policy Advocacy

 
A Preliminary Challenge: Reading the Context of Agencies and Communities

 
Challenge 1: Deciding Whether to Proceed

 
Challenge 2: Deciding Where to Focus

 
Challenge 3: Obtaining Decision Makers’ Recognition of Unresolved Problems

 
Challenge 4: Analyzing Why the Problem Exists

 
Challenge 5: Developing a Strategy or Proposal to Address the Problem

 
Challenge 6: Developing Support for a Strategy or Proposal

 
Challenge 7: Implementing a Strategy or Policy to Address the Problem in Agencies and Communities

 
Challenge 8: Assessing Whether the Implemented Strategy or Policy Was Effective in Agencies and Communities

 
A Case Example of Mezzo Policy Advocacy

 
Measuring Skills Needed for Mezzo Policy Practice

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
6. Engaging in Macro Policy Advocacy
Learning Objectives

 
Understand the Context of Public Policies

 
How Macro Policy Advocates Engage the Eight Challenges

 
Identifying Macro Policy Advocacy Skills

 
Facilitating Macro Policy Practice Among Frontline Health Professionals

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
7. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Health Care Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective Toward Persons With Unaddressed Health Problems

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the American Health Care System

 
Identifying Health Problems Caused by Economic Inequality

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of the American Health System

 
Analyzing the Seven Core Problems

 
Thinking Big as Advocates in the Health Care Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
8. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Gerontology Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective Toward Seniors

 
Analyzing Problems of Seniors Caused by Economic Inequality

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of the Gerontology Sector

 
Analyzing Seven Core Problems in the Gerontology Sector

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Gerontology Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
9. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Safety Net Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective Toward Persons Who Need Safety Net Programs

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the American Safety Net System

 
Analyzing How Defects in American Safety Net Programs Often Exacerbate Income Inequality

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of the Safety Net Sector

 
Using American Safety Net Programs to Improve Consumers’ Well-Being

 
Job-Related Programs

 
Nutrition-Enhancing Programs

 
Shelter-Enhancing Programs

 
Asset-Creating Programs

 
Home Ownership Programs

 
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)

 
Understanding How Seven Core Problems Exist in the Safety Net Sector

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Safety Net Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
10. Practicing Policy Advocacy in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective About Mental Health and Substance Abuse

 
Analyzing the Impact of Income Inequality on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Sectors

 
Addressing Seven Core Problems in the Mental Health Sector With Advocacy

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
11. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Child and Family Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective with Respect to the Child and Family Sector

 
Understanding the Current State of Children

 
Strengthening Families by Meeting Basic Needs

 
Understanding the Journey of Children Through the Child Welfare System

 
Analyzing the Quest for Algorithms to Predict the Odds that Specific Children Will Be Harmed

 
Analyzing the Challenges of Emancipation

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the Child and Family Sector

 
Understanding the Scope of Child Abuse and Neglect

 
Understanding the Political Economy of the Child and Family Sector

 
Recognizing Child and Family Problems That Are Created By an Inegalitarian Nation

 
Understanding How Seven Core Problems Exist in the Child Welfare Sector

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Child and Family Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
12. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Education Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective With Respect to Education

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the American Education System

 
Recognizing Education Problems That Are Created By And Cause an Inegalitarian Nation

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of the Education Sector

 
Analyzing Seven Core Problems in the American Education System

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Education Sector

 
Discussion Questions

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
13. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Immigration Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective With Respect to Immigrants

 
Analyzing the Evolution of America’s Immigration Policies

 
Analyzing the Movement of Persons Across National Boundaries

 
Analyzing the Legal Status of Immigrants in the United States

 
Recognizing Problems for Immigrants Created by Extreme Inequality

 
Understanding the Political Economy of the Immigration Sector

 
Back to Values and Data

 
Analyzing Seven Core Problems in the Immigration Sector

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Immigration Sector

 
Discussion Questions

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
14. Becoming Policy Advocates in the Criminal Justice Sector
Learning Objectives

 
Developing an Empowering Perspective about Criminal Justice

 
Analyzing the Evolution of the American Criminal Justice Sector

 
Identifying Connections between Mass Incarceration and Economic Inequality

 
Analyzing the Political Economy of the Criminal Justice Sector

 
Analyzing Seven Core Problems in the Criminal Justice Sector

 
Thinking Big as Policy Advocates in the Criminal Justice Sector

 
Learning Outcomes

 
References

 
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site

study.sagepub.com/jansson2e  

Free online resources for instructors accompany this text on the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.

  • Test banks provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.
  • Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer flexibility when creating multimedia lectures.
  • Lecture notes summarize key concepts on a chapter-by-chapter basis to help with preparation for lectures and class discussions.
  • Discussion questions help students engage with the material by reinforcing important content and inspiring critical thinking.
  • Chapter exercises direct both instructors and students to video interviews and useful multimedia content, while providing activities to extend and reinforce learning on chapter topics.
Student Study Site

study.sagepub.com/jansson2e  

Free online resources for students accompany this text on the open access Student Study Site.        

  • Mobile-friendly practice quizzes allow students to independently assess their mastery of course material.         
  • Chapter exercises direct students to video interviews and useful multimedia content, while providing activities to extend and reinforce learning on chapter topics.

A required course for several majors, this text allows students to focus on the policy sector they are most interested in.

Laurel Brown
Sociology/Anthro/Soc Wk Dept, Whittier College
November 26, 2019
Report this review

Love the update to today's modern needs.

Ms Maria Weidinger
Human Services, Gwynedd-Mercy College
August 5, 2019
Report this review

Excellent and easy to follow framework for understanding explicit development of social justice in historical and current policy considerations.

Stacy Kratz
School Of Social Work, Univ Of Southern California
December 3, 2019
Report this review
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:           

  • More emphasis on the multi-level policy advocacy framework, which now appears in Chapter 1 and informs discussions in every succeeding chapter, gives importance to policy advocates being able to work across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.         
  • A new chapter on the evolution of the American welfare state covers shifts in the 20th and 21st centuries.          
  • Updated policy sector chapters include recent policy enactments up to the presidency of Donald Trump.  

KEY FEATURES:      

  • An innovative multi-level framework links policy advocacy at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.          
  • Empowerment sections discuss how social workers can assume critical advocacy roles in each of the eight policy sector chapters.
  • Vignettes demonstrate the micro, mezzo, and macro interventions social workers use in policy advocacy for each sector. 
  • Historical timelines describe how policies have changed and evolved.        
  • Red Flag Alerts identify opportunities for policy advocacy on all three levels of practice.          
  • Chapter-ending challenges encourage students to "think big" by proposing major policy initiatives.