SW 602 - Introduction to Social Welfare Policy

1. Identify the intended and unintended structural, institutional, social and cultural consequences of social welfare policies on minority and vulnerable communities by applying: (i)various social justice oriented conceptual frameworks, including critical, functional, residual and institutional perspectives and (ii) a policy analysis framework that examines definitions of forms of social allocations and services, eligibility (i.e., ‘who gets what’), delivery, financing mechanisms, and underlying social values, theories and assumptions (PLOs: Critical Thinking/Applying Theory to Practice, Diversity).
2. Know and speak the “language of the social welfare system” by showing knowledge of principal historical events, local and national policies, agencies, programs, procedures, etc. to help clients understand how the system impacts them, advocate effectively, contribute to professional discussions, and communicate professionally in diverse spheres of work (PLOs: Advocacy, Communication).
3. Situate one’s professional role as social worker in a historical context, including demonstrating a philosophical understanding of the nature of social work within the social welfare system, and be able to identify and address ethical, social and political dilemmas (PLOs: Critical Thinking/Applying Theory to Practice, Diversity, Advocacy).
4. Understand how federal, state, county and agency policies drive practices and services offered in the social welfare system and the social worker’s roles and options in choosing how to implement policies and procedures to promote the well-being of clients (PLOs: Critical Thinking/Applying Theory to Practice, Advocacy).
5. Advocate for the well-being of individuals and families in the social welfare system by knowing the system, its power structure and policies (including where there is ‘slack’), and the process of manipulating and making changes in the system (PLOs: Critical Thinking/Applying Theory to Practice, Advocacy).