ABSTRACT
Historically, social workers have played key roles in shaping social policies to address the needs of vulnerable populations (American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, 2013). Scholars underscore the essential role of
policy practice in social work (Abramovitz, 1993; Cummins, Byers, & Pedrick, 2011; Figueira-McDonough, 1993; Hoefer, 2006; Iatridis, 1995; Jansson, 2010; Rocha, 2007; Wyers, 1990). Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, policy practice by social workers has taken a backseat to clinical practice (Rothman, 2012; Specht & Courtney, 1994). As Alice Johnson asked 10 years ago, “social work is standing on the legacy of Jane Addams, but are we sitting on the sidelines?” (2004).
