Soc Pol, Welfare & Change-Winter 2025
Social Welfare to Social Welfare Policy
Social welfare is a concept central to social work, its history, and its mission. Policy is a term used broadly, in many disciplines, and at varying institutional and political levels. The two terms—social welfare and social welfare policy—though often used synonymously, are not interchangeable. In order to improve social welfare, social workers engage with social welfare policy in varied ways.
Terminology can be precise, or it can be ambiguous and weighed down by pre-conceived notions. The terminology, and the goals they express, that you explore in this Discussion are informed by history, context, and contemporary issues, providing you with a foundation for how to survey the policy landscape with more clarity in order to center your role within it.

BY DAY 3 (
Please write out the sub headings)

To Prepare:
Beginning this week, you explore the role of policy in social work practice, tracing a line from the beginnings and concept of social welfare to the policies that govern social work practice. You also consider your role as a social worker and the role of the inspiration for change in affecting social change.
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

Post a response to the following:
• Define social welfare and social welfare policy.
• Explain how social welfare policy governs social work practice and programs.
• Explain in 2–3 sentences how one historical circumstance or event surrounding an issue or problem inspired a drive for social change.
o The goal here is to concisely point to an important historical event for context, rather than conduct a deeper historical analysis.
• Describe at least one way in which your role as a social worker and social change agent could continue to improve social welfare and social welfare policy.
( Please write out the sub headings)

Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.

Course book
Policy-Based Profession: An Introduction to Social Welfare Policy Analysis for Social Workers 7TH 19
Author: Popple, Philip R. / Leighninger, Leslie
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-479429-7
ISBN-10: 0-13-479429-X
Edition/Copyright: 7TH 19
Publisher: Pearson

Resources

Required Readings
• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
o Chapter 1, “The Policy-Based Profession” (pp. 3–18)
o Chapter 2, “Defining Social Welfare Policy” (pp. 20–30)
o Chapter 4, “Policy Analysis From a Historical Perspective” (pp. 54–61)
• Walden University Library. (n.d.) Social welfare policy: Introduction: The policy process Links to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/socialwelfarepolicy/overview
This guide, provided by Walden Library, contains many resources and research tools to aid you in researching policy from history to implementation.
• Aquino, G. G., Flores, N., Torres, D., & Kien, S. (2017). The value of social policy practice for social work professionals Links to an external site.. The New Social Worker. https://www.socialworker.com/extras/social-work-month-2017/the-value-of-social-policy-practice-for-social-work-professionals/
• Kaltura Personal Capture—Quickstart Guide Download Kaltura Personal Capture—Quickstart Guide(PDF)

Optional Resources

For a refresher on social work history, consult these resources. Also note that these sources may contain other useful information as Research Starters for later aspects of the course.
• Herrick, J. M., & Stuart, P. H. (2005). Social reform movements (United States): Before the Social Security Act. In J. M. Herrick & P. H. Stuart (Eds.). Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North AmericaLinks to an external site. (pp. 349–350). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412952521.n138
• Herrick, J. M., & Stuart, P. H. (2005). Social welfare (United States): Before the Social Security Act. In J. M. Herrick & P. H. Stuart (Eds.). Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North AmericaLinks to an external site. (pp. 374–377). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412952521.n146
• Herrick, J. M., & Stuart, P. H. (2005). Social welfare (United States): Since the Social Security Act. In J. M. Herrick & P. H. Stuart (Eds.). Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North AmericaLinks to an external site. (pp. 378–381). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412952521.n147
• Social Security. (n.d.). Historical background and development of Social Security Links to an external site.. https://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html