Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

Activity 1: Video Interviews

Watch these video interviews, where Alex Morales, President and CEO of the Children’s Bureau, answers the following questions:

1. What are some important principles in becoming a policy advocate?
2. Can you provide an example of a multilevel policy advocate strategy that is preventative?

After watching the videos, consider these questions:

• What did you learn from this video? How can you take this learning and apply it in your own work?
• Mr. Morales talked about organizations and community resources working together to support children and families. Give an example of how this is happening in your community to address a certain issue. Is there an issue where this is not happening, but could?
• A multilevel policy advocacy strategy is important, but how can policy advocates be more preventative instead of interventionist? Identify an area in your specialization or focus where policy could be more preventative.

Activity 2: A Social Work Career in Advocacy and Social Policy

Read the interview with Melinda Lewis, a social worker employed in the field of advocacy and public policy.

• Which of her accomplishments is most interesting to you? What is something you might like to accomplish as an advocate?
• Click on the link to the blog Classroom to Capital. Select the Advocacy/Lobbying Tab, then Lobbying - not a Dirty Word. Why are people reluctant to call themselves lobbyists?
• On the Classroom to Capital page, select Community Organizing, then Organizing Across Difference. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of working outside your own community?

Activity 3: The Grand Challenges for Social Work

The Grand Challenges for Social Work, led by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW), is an initiative to address 12 major challenges facing our society today. AASWSW is bringing groups and individuals together to use existing evidence and promote new research to make an impact in society. Watch this video and think about these questions:

• How can policy advocates be involved in the Grand Challenges initiative?
• Are there issues/topics that are left out?
• How might your work align with one or more of the Challenges?