Policy Practice

Abstract

Policy practice training is needed for all social work students to encourage them to see themselves as part of the policy making process. The hope is that with specific training and hands-on experience in policy making, social workers will continue to be active in this arena post-graduation. However, there is a lack of information in the social work literature about educational techniques that encourage students to engage in post-masters policy intervention. Using a post-test design followed by an eight months post-graduation follow-up, students reported on their policy making activities. Class assignments in policy practice resulted in a wide array of intervention projects ranging from congressional lobbying and labor organizing to active support of consumer involvement in policy making. At follow-up, participants reported they continued their high level of policy practice subsequent to graduation.

Key Words:

• Policy practice
• policy intervention
• educational techniques
• policy training
• social work education