Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research

Roles and skills of social workers

How social workers engage in change efforts through core frameworks

How different people, events, and policies have helped shape US based social work over the past 100 years

The connection between social work and social justice

How to use a social justice lens

Intersectionality as a tool for analyzing complex social problems

Social and cultural determinants of health

Health disparities

Housing inequality

Crime and policing communities

Trends in policing

Environmental justice

Economic inequality

Resources and activities for being an ally

The importance of social welfare policy for social workers

Fundamental components of policy: critical questions, themes, values and models

Foundations of US social welfare policy and the role of non-governmental organizations and governments

Financial influences on social policy

How to identify potential solutions to poverty and growing inequality

Social welfare policy applications in health and mental health

Context of social work practice with individuals, families, and small groups

Social Work Code of Ethics and core mission

Engagement skills and relationship building in interpersonal practice

Social work core skills such as active listening, empathic responding, cultural humility

Incorporating assessment tools into practice to better understand the issues and challenges of individuals and families

Using evidence-informed practices and interventions to promote positive change

Ethics, diversity, and inclusion in social work

Recognizing when change is needed in communities and organizations

The role of power in maintaining systems or changing them

Leading communities and organizations through ethical and responsible engagement

Implementation of quantitative and qualitative research methods

Search procedures to effectively find existing research

Application of research to practice