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Policy Conference 2.0

Energizing for Activism: Recommitting to Policy Change

Wyndham Garden Hotel

Austin, TX

May 29-31, 2014

Created and Organized by:

Sunny Harris Rome Katharine V. ByersGeorge Mason University Indiana University

Stacey Borasky Jessica RitterSt. Edwards University Pacific University

Proposal Reviewers

Stacey BoraskyKathy Byers

Terry CarrilioLinda Donaldson

Mike DoverMark Ezell

Miguel FergusonScott Harding

Jane Hoyt-OliverMary HyltonEmily Ihara

Dina KastnerJim KunzJoAnn Lee

Donna McIntoshAmy Murphy-Nugen

Michael ReischJessica Ritter

Sunny Harris RomeJeff Shook

Special Thanks To:

Miguel Ferguson

Rebecca Levine

Holly Manning

Katie Robichaux

With Generous Support From:

The National Association of Social Workers

St. Edwards School of Behavioral & Social Sciences

University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Indiana University School of Social Work

Influencing State Policy

Ann Scheyett

Musical Entertainment

Garett BrownleePat Eberhardt

Miguel FergusonChris Roubieu

Cousett Roules

Rebecca Stewart

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MAY 29

12:00-5:00 Registration Lady Bird Lake Foyer

5:00-6:00 Opening Reception: music, hors d’oeuvres and cash barLady Bird Lake RoomSponsored by University of Tennessee College of Social Work

6:00-7:00 Opening PlenaryLady Bird Lake Room

Engaging and Mobilizing Voters: Lessons from the Grassroots

Cliff WalkerBattleground Texas

7:30-9:00 Dinner at Opal Divine’s (pay your own way)

FRIDAY, MAY 30

7:30-9:00 RegistrationLady Bird Lake Foyer

8:00-8:45 Continental BreakfastLady Bird Lake Room

8:45-9:45 Plenary SessionLady Bird Lake Room

The Power of Organizing

Jim HightowerJim Hightower & Associates

9:45-10:00 Break

10:00-11:00 Concurrent Sessions (see below)

Session A: PresentationsBlanco Room

Policy Barriers to Successful Reentry Among Formerly Incarcerated Women: Opportunities for Advocacy and Activism

Upon release from prison, women face numerous barriers to successful reentry including restrictions on housing, education, employment, reunification, and civic engagement. The “realignment” of California’s criminal justice system presents unique challenges and opportunities. Using mixed-methods data, this presentation discusses possibilities for successful reentry among women in the age of realignment.

Gretchen Heidemann WhittUniversity of Southern California

A Model for Community Reintegration: The CARE-Plus Program for FormerlyIncarcerated Youth

Evidence-based models for intervention are increasingly prescribed for programs seeking federal funding. While using evidence-based models is certainly logical, what happens when the federal agency chooses the model for you, regardless of its efficacy for your population? This presentation will discuss results of an evaluation of an aftercare program for formerly incarcerated youth and the implications of private, for-profit treatment models being thrust upon grantees without regard for the uniqueness of the population and the practice setting.

Stacey BoraskySt. Edwards University

Session B: Workshop Guadalupe Room

Win Some, Lose Some: How to Tip the Odds in Your Favor

Coalition building is an effective method of gathering resources to attain power and influence in today’s political process. This workshop will showcase the successful development and management of a statewide revenue coalition, from pre-formation to campaign strategies. Our case study offers practice methods applicable to a variety of policy areas.

Lily French Kristi L. LawUniversity of Iowa University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Session C: PresentationsBarton Creek Room

Civic Literacy and Civic Engagement Among Social Work Students: Where Do We Stand?Recent studies report declining rates of civic literacy and civic engagement among Americans. This presentation highlights the results of a study examining civic literacy and civic engagement among social work students. Strategies for strengthening social work’s voice in the political arena via civic literacy and civic engagement will be discussed.

Mary HyltonUniversity of Nevada, Reno

What Does Survey Research Have to Tell Us About Social Work Policy Practice in the United States?

This presentation will examine the state of survey research on social work policy practice in the United States, and will offer recommendations for future research to advance the knowledge and competence of social workers engaged in policy practice.

Linda Plitt DonaldsonCatholic University of America

Session D: Poster PresentationsSan Gabriel Room

A New Justice: Survey of Current and Pending Restorative Justice Legislation

Restorative justice is an emerging response to crime and victimization, focused on human relationships and social justice. This presentation describes the first comprehensive survey of restorative justice legislation in U.S. The depth, range, and foci of policy solutions are explored. Implications for social work policy practice and research are derived.

Shannon Graves Carolyn Guthrie LambertUniversity of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Arlington

The Holistic Advocacy Project: A Student/Faculty Partnership to Improve Practice with Immigrants

Immigration remains a controversial issue to the country as well as the social work profession. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was used in the research to seek a better understanding of immigrants. The results suggest new insight for social work practice as well as policies related to immigrants.

Diana PinaTarleton State University-Waco Campus

Policies that Promote Restorative Justice: An Analysis of the Effects of a Discipline Reform Policy in Denver

Denver Public Schools (DPS) reformed its discipline policy in 2008 to abandon the use of zero tolerance strategies in favor of restorative approaches. Data are presented highlighting the positive effect of these reforms within DPS.

Jordan FarrarUniversity of Denver

Students’ Bullying Experiences in a Rural School District: A Mixed Methods Study

Bullying is a concern today, and this study incorporates a mixed methods research design in a rural middle school in Texas. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with students, and results revealed insight into their perception of bullying behaviors. This research can be used to help guide school policy.

Shaquita HopkinsTarleton State University

11:00-11:15 Break



“The Men Had Pistols, Machetes and Daggers”: A Qualitative Study of Latina HumanSmuggling Experiences and Recommendations for Policy

We will discuss US immigration policy, including human smuggling and trafficking laws, and examine the lived experiences of immigrant Latinas who often endure trauma en route to the U.S. We question the legal distinctions between smuggling and trafficking and consider the implications of these laws for practice and immigrant justice.

Carol Cleaveland Bethany LetiecqGeorge Mason University George Mason University

Cross-national Approaches to Working with Indigenous Populations in Child Welfare: Strategies for Increasing Self-Determination and Improving Service Delivery

Legislative models designed to support sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous communities involved in child welfare systems vary across countries. This presentation will explore and evaluate approaches to child protection in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States and identify strategies that move towards a more collaborative model of protecting the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous children.

June PaulUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison

Session B: WorkshopGuadalupe Room

Identifying Grand Challenges Facing Social Work in the Next Decade: Maximizing Involvement in the Realm of Social Policy

In his session, participants will engage in the development of grand challenges for social work and social welfare as part of the national Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative. Participants will share their ideas and develop strategies for maximizing social work’s involvement in the realm of social policy.

Yolanda C. Padilla Rowena FongUniversity of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Austin

Session C: Invited PresentationBarton Creek Room

The Affordable Care Act: Key Issues for Social Work Advocacy

The ACA is in the implementation stage and opportunities for advocacy remain. States and health care organizations will be making decisions and social workers must be at the table to advocate both with and for our clients and for our profession.

Heather McCabeIndiana University

Session D: Poster PresentationsSan Gabriel Room

Adventures in Advocacy: Mental Health Reform

An interest in mental health policy that began in an undergraduate introduction to policy course grew into a passion. What started with vague aspirations in 2011 has evolved into specific

advocacy efforts to maximize access to mental health services and reform policy to benefit those most vulnerable in society.

Paige ReitzUniversity of Houston

A Historical Analysis of the Ryan White Care Act

This study uses multiple policy frameworks to conduct a historical analysis of the Ryan White Act. The study explores contextual factors that led to its promulgation, past and present social constructions of HIV/AIDS and target populations influencing policy; further, the study identifies gaps in scholarship on the Ryan White Act.

Shrivridhi ShuklaRutgers University

A Policy for Continuity in Cancer Care and Delivery of Survivorship Plans

There has been an increase in cancer survival over the past 35 years. Literature documents the need for policy changes to improve survivorship care. The proposed policy establishes procedures implemented by social workers for the transition from cancer treatment to a survivorship plan to achieve continuity of care.

Richard WagnerUniversity of Houston

Leveraging MSW Coursework to Set and Implement a Policy Agenda

Two social work graduate students created and implemented a policy change effort that addressed sex trafficking in their community. This poster will emphasize their actions and provide a case study for other macro social work students to effectively leverage MSW coursework to design and implement their own policy agendas.

Jenna Cooper Dixie HairstonUniversity of Houston University of Houston

Re-Examining the Policy Responses of the U.S. Social Safety Net During and After the Great Recession: Lessons for Policy Research and Practice

This session will present my research which aims to critically review the recent policy responses of the U.S. social safety net for economically disadvantaged people. Policy implications of social justice in program design and future research directions are discussed. Suggestions for social workers’ policy advocacy work are offered.

Yu-Ling ChangUniversity of Washington

12:15-1:45 Lunch – on your own



Children and Immigration Reform: An Agenda for Policy Practice

This session examines how current immigration law affects the well-being of children and youth (including unaccompanied minors, undocumented youth, children in mixed status families, and immigrant youth in foster care), and the probable impact of pending proposals for reform. Opportunities for social work advocacy will be highlighted.

Sunny Harris RomeGeorge Mason University

Safe Haven Legislation in the United States: An Exploratory Review

Safe haven laws (SHLs) provide parents the ability to relinquish infants without civil/criminal consequences. SHLs exist in every state in the U.S.; they vary considerably in the specifics of their provisions. This presentation documents the history of SHLs, similarities/differences of the laws, and the relationship of state characteristics to SHLs.

Emily M. DouglasBridgewater State University


Lessons Learned from Organizing Grids to Policy Advocacy: Inspiring Social Action in the Classroom

Most students have trepidation about policy practice that originates from uncertainty about their abilities to effectively engage in social action. This workshop highlights some innovative teaching practices in the classroom and identifies strategies to inspire students to engage in social action. Participants will leave with a step-by-step guide for instructors.

Jennifer MeadeRhode Island College

Session C: RoundtableBarton Creek Room

Elder Care and the Ethic of Care: A Film and Policy Analysis

The “ethic of care” policy analysis framework (Cummins, Byers, & Pedrick, 2011) will be applied to issues of aging, caregivers, practitioners, and social service agencies, with the intent of challenging current policy decision making from marginalized vs. mainstream approach to an inclusive perspective with “caring” at its core.

Linda K. Cummins Katharine V. ByersNorthcentral University Indiana University

Session D: PresentationsSan Gabriel Room

Teaching Meaningful Poverty Policy Development through Community Partnerships

This presentation will explore the connection between meaningful community partnerships and the development of real and engaging poverty policy assignments in an advanced policy graduate social work course. Through various projects, social work students are engaged in learning the many components of policy development for Homeless Bill of Rights legislation.

Lisa Hawash Haley ThrockmortonPortland State University Portland State University

Innovative Teaching through Applied “Real World” Policy Development

Social Work faculty provide an innovative teaching method and engaged learning experience whereby MSW policy students in two course sections worked to develop the “winning” policy brief for a newly funded Violence Prevention Center.

Karen TappNorthern Kentucky University

2:45-3:00 Break



Critical Rational Choice: A Model for Understanding and Advocating for Improved Mental Health Care Policy, Practice, and Research

Critical rational choice is a new theoretical model that guides relevant policy reform, empowerment of clients, and research decisions. This presentation details the foundation of this theoretical model, identifies strategic next steps critical to meaningful mental health care policy reform, and the central role of social work in those efforts.

Stephanie Q. Quiring

Indiana University

Working in Partnership with Mexican Families on the Migration Frontier: Embodying Health Equity and Actualizing JusticeMexican migration to rural-frontier settlements is a rapidly growing phenomenon; yet new settlements are ill-equipped to meet the health and social service needs of migrant families, who also face a hostile culture of nativism and anti-immigrant policies. This presentation will detail a community-university strategy to empower migrant families, ameliorate health disparities, and actualize migrant justice.

Bethany LetiecqGeorge Mason University


Catching Fire! Helping Students Find their Voices and Commitment to Policy Advocacy

This workshop shares assignments and activities that encourage students to find their voices for change. Silence is not allowed in this instructor’s course or this workshop! Participants will share their policy course and advocacy experiences so that we strengthen our collective call to action among students (and ourselves as instructors).

Donna McIntoshSiena College


Economic Inequality: The Challenge for Policy Practice in the 21st Century

This presentation will discuss trends in, and the dimensions of, growing levels of inequality that have taken place in the United States over the last few decades. With a nod to historical parallels and comparisons to international peer nations, the presentation will address the implications of inequality and poverty on American political and civic life and describe efforts social work educators and activists can make to address inequality at the community, state, and national levels.

Miguel FergusonUniversity of Texas at Austin

Session D: RoundtableSan Gabriel Room

Preparing Students for Public Policy through Legislative Internships

This session focuses on legislative internships as a method for preparing social work students to engage in policy practice. A faculty internship coordinator and a panel of former interns will facilitate a critical discussion about how legislative internships can impact student competency and attitudes toward future policy involvement.

Suzanne Pritzker Natalie PowellUniversity of Houston University of Houston

Torey Powell Ana RodriguezUniversity of Houston University of Houston

4:00-4:15 Break

4:15-5:45 Panel Discussion with Policy PioneersLady Bird Lake Room Sponsored by George Mason University Department of Social Work

Social Work in Policy: Where Have We Been and Where Should We Be Headed?

This Panel features prominent social work pioneers who, early on, highlighted the importance of social policy and policy practice for the social work profession in general, and social work education in particular. The panelists will provide an historical perspective about where we have been, as well as identify new directions for policy practice, research, and education. This will be a lively, moderated conversation that absolutely should not be missed!

Mimi AbramovitzBertha Capen Reynolds Chair for Social Welfare PolicySilberman School of Social WorkHunter College

Bruce S. JanssonDriscoll/ Clevenger Professor of Social Policy and AdministrationSchool of Social WorkUniversity of Southern California

Nancy A. HumphreysProfessor of Policy Practice Director, Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social WorkUniversity of Connecticut

6:30-8:00 Dinner Lady Bird Lake Room

SATURDAY, MAY 31

7:30-9:00 RegistrationLady Bird Lake Room

8:00-9:00 Continental BreakfastLady Bird Lake Foyer



Teaching Social Welfare Policy: Addressing Social Justice through Rawls’ Theory of Justice and the Capabilities Approach

In order to enhance social work students’ competence in pursuing social justice for people in need, this presentation aims to introduce Rawlsian and the Capabilities Approach’s fundamental concepts of social justice to educators and to promote these two frameworks for the teaching of social welfare policy courses.

Ching-Shu FangUniversity of Kentucky

Testing Empirically an Integrated Micro-, Mezzo-, and Macro Policy Advocacy Framework for Classroom, Field and Work Settings

This paper discusses how an integrated micro-, mezzo-, and macro policy advocacy framework was developed sequentially in classroom, field, and work settings over a three-year period. It discusses how data from students in policy classes and data collected from 300 health professionals in eight acute-care hospitals converged to allow presenters to develop this model.

Bruce S. Jansson Gretchen Heidemann WhittUniversity of Southern California University of Southern California


Spicing up Your Policy Class with Case Law: What Do the Courts Have to Say?

The courts have an important role to play in shaping social policy. This Workshop will introduce participants to specific court cases that can be used in class to shed light on various policy issues and controversies, and will present a method for engaging students in analysis and discussion.



The Challenge of Teaching Social Policy in a Time of Heightened Political Polarization and Alienation

Social workers are increasingly involved in multiple forms of policy practice and advocacy efforts. Yet, how do we get them prepared and invigorated for policy practice at a time when Americans are feeling increasingly alienated from their government, are politically polarized, and trust in political leaders has reached an all-time low?

Jessica A. Ritter Benjamin ShepardPacific University Oregon CUNY/NYC College of Technology

Brenda TevisPacific University Oregon

Session D: PresentationsSan Gabriel Room

Policy Advocacy and Changing the Face of Reproductive Health in Utah: Finding Opportunities for Activism in Unlikely Places

More than 1,000 women's health provisions have been introduced in states over the last two years. Social workers possess the tenacity to engage in strategic policy advocacy. Using methodologies developed from lobbying and advocacy experience, this presentation introduces a strategic framework for successful policy advocacy in challenging political environments.

Melissa BirdUniversity of Southern California

Analyzing Implementation of the 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act on a State Level

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act is analyzed using a problem solving approach. The problem of poor educational outcomes for foster youth is defined, legislative goals are explicated and attention is given to evaluating outcomes at the implementation phase. Child and Family Service Review data is linked to evaluation.

Corie HebertSoutheastern Louisiana University

10:00-10:15 Break


Session A: Presentations

Blanco Room

Social Work and the Political Economy: Teaching Economic Theory and Concepts, and their Application to Practice, to MSW Students

Although economic issues strongly influence social policy, few social work programs offer courses that enhance student understanding of economics and its application to social work practice. This presentation describes the development of a graduate social work course designed to increase student knowledge and skills regarding economic principles, concepts and tools.

Diane MartellRhode Island College

Promoting Election-Related Policy Practice among Social Work Students

Social work education may offer an opportune time to shape patterns of electoral participation among social workers. This study examines student political involvement and ways in which social work programs encouraged students to acquire skills and experience in election-related policy practice during the 2012 Presidential Election.

Suzanne Pritzker Christianna BurwellUniversity of Houston University of Houston


A Social Constructionist Framework for Problem to Policy Analysis

This presentation introduces a social constructionist matrix for problem-policy analysis: an alternative to prevailing frameworks that view social problems and policy responses as objective and static, rather than interpretive and dynamic. It includes the role of claims-makers that declare and shape problems, explanations, and solutions within a continually evolving political context.

Marietta Anne BarrettiLong Island University

Session C: PresentationsBarton Creek Room

Headlines as a Springboard for Learning: Engaging Undergraduates in Policy Practice

This paper explores challenges and approaches to effective teaching of policy practice to social work students at the undergraduate level. It analyzes a promising experiential learning model for teaching policy practice using quantitative and qualitative evidence from seven semester classes. Benefits and challenges of this approach to teaching are discussed.

Baorong GuoUniversity of Missouri–St. Louis

Digital Photovice Advocacy as a Pedagogical Tool: Promoting Social Activism among Social Work Students

Few social work students actively embrace the advocacy tradition of the profession. With that in mind, the purpose of this presentation is to provide social work educators with an innovative technique to inspire social work students to become actively involved in policy advocacy on the local, state, and federal level.

Lolita C. BoykinSoutheastern Louisiana University

Session D: RoundtableSan Gabriel Room

Macro Social Work/Policy: Why Do I Have To Take this Class Anyway?

Many BSW and MSW students come to social work programs planning to work one-to-one with individual clients rather than in macro practice roles. This roundtable provides a forum to share ideas about engaging all students in learning about macro practice and its role across the continuum of social work practice.

Heather A. McCabe Katharine V. ByersIndiana University Indiana University

11:15-11:30 Break


Session A: PresentationsSan Gabriel Room

Metaphor Deconstruction and Social Problem Analysis

Social policies are driven largely by our beliefs regarding the social problems to which they are directed. An important element in understanding how social problems are framed is metaphor analysis. This presentation will discuss why it is important for social workers to be capable of deconstructing pejorative metaphors that relate to marginalized groups and social justice issues.

Gerald (Jerry) O’Brien

Praxis of Policy Advocacy: Preparing Social Workers for Meaningful Activism

The presenter will share teaching methods which have helped prepare students for meaningful activism and policy practice; one clarifies the critical knowledge/skills and the other puts the

knowledge/skills into action, then reflection. Participants should increase their understanding of how teaching methods can increase policy advocacy and practice.

Lynn Amerman GoerdtUniversity of Wisconsin-Superior


Policy Change Can Happen: An Innovative Approach to Reframing Basic Needs

This workshop will showcase how utilizing cost of living data shifted public discourse from poverty to livable wages and generated the political will necessary for policy reforms that support low-income families. Participants will be able to replicate our methodology and develop related advocacy strategies in their own states.

Lily FrenchUniversity of Iowa


Are BSW and MSW Students Learning Essentially the Same Thing in their Policy Courses or are they Learning on a Policy Practice Continuum?

This roundtable will ask participants to examine BSW/MSW policy courses in an effort to strengthen a continuum of policy practice education that prepares and promotes future social workers for policy practice leadership.

Donna McIntoshSiena College

12:30-2:00 Lunch – on your own


Session A: Presentations Blanco Room

Housing Policy and Foreclosure Response at the Federal, State and Grassroots Levels: Implications for Social Work Advocacy and PracticeThe most recent housing crash and subsequent economic recession resulted in policies and programs created at federal, state, and grassroots levels to prevent and mitigate foreclosures. Challenges in housing policy and foreclosure response endure, calling for social workers to critically discuss and develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy and practice interventions.

Amy Murphy-NugenIndiana State University

Identifying Strategies for Strengthening Student Exposure to Policy and Political Content in Field Placements

A recent survey of BSW and MSW field directors found that perceived lack of importance to social work, lack of student interest, and insufficient student preparedness are common barriers to the use of policy and political field placements. Participants will discuss strategies and resources that can help counter these barriers.

Shannon Lane Suzanne PritzkerAdelphi University University of Houston


Scaffolding Policy in the BSW Curriculum: Teaching Policy as Part of a Three Semester Community Partnership

The presenters will introduce a model in which the policy course is part of a three semester community project. Students work closely with community partners to address a problem through a variety of methods, including policy advocacy and analysis. Students learn the role of policy practice in addressing issues.

Deneece Ferrales Tancy Horn-JohnsonTarleton State University Tarleton State University

Edward RandleTarleton State University


The High Cost of Political Participation and Other Barriers to Democracy: How Citizens United, ALEC, Regressive Voting Laws and Other Efforts Undermine Democratic Participation

Recent barriers to political participation enacted through legislation or decided in the courts disproportionately impact the average citizen’s ability to meaningfully participate in elections and effectively influence social policy. The discussion will center around those barriers with a specific focus on how and why stringent Voter Photo ID laws target vulnerable populations; how recent Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United, Shelby and McCutcheon further contribute to an uneven playing field in terms of politics, legislation and policy; and what social and economic justice advocates can do to strategically overcome these barriers and restore the democratic process for all.

Maureen HaverCommon Cause

3:00-3:15 Break

3:15-4:30 Participant Dialogue Lady Bird Room

Next Steps in Recommitting to Policy Change

This final Participant Dialogue will provide an opportunity for conference participants to reflect on the major themes that emerged during the conference, share hopes and goals, and discuss possible next steps in order to continue to bolster social work’s involvement in policy and policy practice. Please join us as we plan for our future!

Mark S. HomanAssociation for Community Organization & Social Administration (ACOSA)

Stacey BoraskySt. Edwards University

Katharine V. ByersIndiana University

Jessica A. RitterPacific University


CONCURRENT SESSIONS AT-A-GLANCE

FRIDAY, MAY 30 10:00-11:00

PRESENTATIONS BLANCO Policy Barriers to Successful Reentry Among Formerly Incarcerated Women: Opportunities for Advocacy and Activism

A Model for Community Reintegration: The CARE-Plus Program for Formerly Incarcerated Youth

WORKSHOP GUADALUPE Win Some, Lose Some: How to Tip the Odds in Your Favor

PRESENTATIONS BARTON CREEK Civic Literacy and Civic Engagement Among Social Work Students: Where Do We Stand?

What Does Survey Research Have to Tell Us About Social Work Policy Practice in the United States?

POSTERS SAN GARBRIEL A New Justice – Survey of Current and Pending Restorative Justice Legislation

Advocacy The Holistic Project: A Student/Faculty Partnership to Improve Practice with Immigrants

Policies that Promote Restorative Justice: An Analysis of the Effects of a Discipline Reform Policy in Denver

Students’ Bullying Experiences in a Rural School District

FRIDAY, MAY 30 11:15-12:15

PRESENTATIONS BLANCO “The Men Had Pistols, Machetes and Daggers”: A Qualitative Study of Latina Human Smuggling Experiences and Recommendations for Policy

Cross-national Approaches to Working with Indigenous Populations in Child Welfare: Strategies for Increasing Self-Determination and Improving Service Delivery

WORKSHOP GUADALUPEIdentifying Grand Challenges Facing Social Work in the Next Decade: Maximizing Involvement in the Realm of Social Policy

INVITED PRESENTATION BARTON CREEKThe Affordable Care Act: Key Issues for Social Work Advocacy

POSTERS SAN GABRIEL

Adventures in Advocacy: Mental Health Reform

A Historical Analysis of the Ryan White Care Act

A Policy for Continuity in Cancer Care and Delivery of Survivorship Plans

Leveraging MSW Coursework to Set and Implement a Policy Agenda

Re-examining the Policy Responses of the U.S. Social Safety Net During and After the Great Recession: Lessons for Policy Research and Practice

FRIDAY, MAY 30 1:45-2:45

PRESENTATIONS BLANCO Children and Immigration Reform: An Agenda for Policy Practice

Safe Haven Legislation in the United States: An Exploratory Review

WORKSHOP GUADALUPE Lessons Learned from Organizing Grids to Policy Advocacy: Inspiring Social Action in the Classroom

ROUNDTABLE BARTON CREEK Elder Care and the Ethic of Care: A Film and Policy Analysis

PRESENTATIONS SAN GABRIEL Teaching Meaningful Poverty Policy Development through Community Partnerships

Innovative Teaching through Applied “Real World” Policy Development

FRIDAY, MAY 30 3:00-4:00

PRESENTATIONS BLANCO Critical Rational Choice: A Model for Understanding and Advocating for Improved Mental Health Care Policy, Practice, and Research

Working in Partnership with Mexican Families on the Migration Frontier: Embodying Health Equity and Actualizing Justice

WORKSHOP GUADALUPE

Catching Fire! Helping Students Find their Voices and Commitment to Policy Advocacy

INVITED PRESENTATION BARTON CREEKEconomic Inequality: The Challenge for Policy Practice in the 21st Century

ROUNDTABLE SAN GABRIELPreparing Students for Public Policy through Legislative Internships

SATURDAY, MAY 31 9:00-10:00

PRESENTATIONS BLANCO Teaching Social Welfare Policy: Addressing Social Justice through Rawls’ Theory of Justice and the Capabilities Approach

Testing Empirically an Integrated Micro-, Mezzo-, and Macro Policy Advocacy Framework for Classroom, Field and Work Settings

WORKSHOP GUADALUPESpicing up your Policy Class with Case Law: What Do the Courts Have to Say?

ROUNDTABLE BARTON CREEKThe Challenge of Teaching Social Policy in a Time of Heightened Political Polarization and Alienation

PRESENTATIONS SAN GABRIELPolicy Advocacy and Changing the Face of Reproductive Health in Utah: Finding Opportunities for Activism in Unlikely Places

Analyzing Implementation of the 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act on a State Level

SATURDAY, MAY 31 10:15-11:15

PRESENTATIONS BLANCOSocial Work and the Political Economy: Teaching Economic Theory and Concepts, and their Application to Practice, to MSW Students

Promoting Election-Related Policy Practice among Social Work Students

WORKSHOP GUADALUPEA Social Constructionist Framework for Problem to Policy Analysis

PRESENTATIONS BARTON CREEKHeadlines as a Springboard for Learning: Engaging Undergraduates in Policy Practice

Digital Photovice Advocacy as a Pedagogical Tool: Promoting Social Activism among Social Work Students

ROUNDTABLE SAN GABRIELMacro Social Work/Policy: Why Do I Have To Take this Class Anyway?

SATURDAY, MAY 31 11:30-12:30

PRESENTATIONS SAN GABRIELMetaphor Deconstruction and Social Problem Analysis

Praxis of Policy Advocacy: Preparing Social Workers for Meaningful Activism

WORKSHOP GUADALUPEPolicy Change Can Happen: An Innovative Approach to Reframing Basic Needs

ROUNDTABLE BARTON CREEKAre BSW and MSW Students Learning Essentially the Same Thing in their Policy Courses or are they Learning on a Policy Practice Continuum

SATURDAY, MAY 31 2:00-3:00

PRESENTATIONS BLANCOHousing Policy and Foreclosure Response at the Federal, State and Grassroots Levels: Implications for Social Work Advocacy and Practice

Identifying Strategies for Strengthening Student Exposure to Policy and Political Content in Field Placements

WORKSHOP GUADALUPEScaffolding Policy in the BSW Curriculum: Teaching Policy as Part of a Three Semester Community Partnership

INVITED PRESENTATION BARTON CREEK

The High Cost of Political Participation and Other Barriers to Democracy: How Citizens United, ALEC, Regressive Voting Laws and Other Efforts Undermine Democratic Participation

PLENARY SPEAKERS & SPECIAL GUESTS

MIMI ABRAMOVITZ

Dr. Abramovitz is the Bertha Capen Reynolds Professor of Social Policy at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and The CUNY Graduate Center. She has written extensively about the issues of women, work, poverty, and social welfare policy. She is the author of Regulating the Lives of Women: Social Welfare Policy From Colonial Times to the Present, the award-winning Under Attack, Fighting Back: Women and Welfare in the US, and co-author of The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy and Taxes Are A Women’s Issue: Reframing the Debate. Dr. Abramovitz is currently conducting research about the relationship between “place” and social problems, investigating the impact of austerity policies on the human service workforce, and writing a book entitled Gender Obligations: The History of Low-Income Women’s Activism Since 1900. Her research has appeared in major academic journals within and outside of social work as well as the in and the popular press including New York Times, Washington Post, MS Magazine Women's Review of Books and Women’s eNews. An activist and a scholar, Dr. Abramovitz is regularly invited to present papers on social policy at national and international conferences; serves on various policy making, foundation and community organization boards. She frequently interviewed by the print and broadcast media. Dr. Abramovitz is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards from major professional associations for her overall contributions to social work and social policy,

including from two from top social work organizations: The Council of Social Work Education and the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Work. Most recently she was inducted into the Columbia University School of Social Work Hall of Fame.

JIM HIGHTOWER

National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks. He frequently appears on television and radio programs, bringing a hard-hitting populist viewpoint that rarely gets into the mass media. Hightower was raised in Denison, Texas, in a family of small business people, tenant farmers, and working folk and is a graduate of the University of North Texas. Professional highlights include co-founding the Agribusiness Accountability Project, serving as co-editor of The Texas Observer, serving as director of the Texas Consumer Association, and being twice elected as Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Today he broadcasts daily radio commentaries that are carried in more than 150 commercial and public stations, on the web, on Armed Forces Radio, and on Radio for Peace International. Each month, he publishes the award winning, populist political newsletter, "The Hightower Lowdown," which now has more than 135,000 subscribers and is the fastest growing political publication in America. He is a New York Times best-selling author, and has written seven books including, Thieves In High Places: They've Stolen Our Country And It's Time To Take It Back and There's Nothing In the Middle Of the Road But Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos. His newspaper column is distributed nationally by Creators Syndicate. During the 90's, Hightower became known as "America's most popular populist," speaking out for the American majority that's being locked out economically and politically by the elites. As political columnist Molly Ivins said, "If Will Rogers and Mother Jones had a baby, Jim Hightower would be that rambunctious child -- mad as hell, with a sense of humor."

NANCY A. HUMPHREYS

Dr. Nancy A. Humphreys is Professor of Policy Practice and Chair of the Concentration at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. She is also the Founding Director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at the same school. She is a former Dean of the UCONN SSW and before that was the Director of the Michigan State University School of Social Work. She is a former President of the National Association of Social Workers from 1979-1981. She served as a member of President Jimmy Carter's Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. She will retire in June of this year culminating 54 years of social work.

BRUCE S. JANSSON

Dr. Bruce S. Jansson is currently the Margaret W. Driscoll/Louise M. Clevenger Professor of Social Policy and Social Administration, School of Social Work, University of Southern

California. During the past 33 years, he has been instrumental in shaping social work’s connection to policy by: inventing and continuing to reconceptualize the term policy practice; reconceptualizing the way social workers analyze the evolution of the American welfare state; writing the first critical analysis of budget priorities in the United States during seven decades from FDR to Clinton--and linking this discussion to the low levels of public domestic discretionary spending that funds many domestic social programs; and writing the first detailed analysis of patient advocacy and policy advocacy in the American healthcare system. He is currently engaged in a research project titled “Improving Healthcare through Advocacy” and is working on a proposed book that analyzes how social workers can engage in micro policy advocacy, mezzo policy advocacy, and macro policy advocacy in eight policy sectors where most social workers are employed. His many books include Social Welfare Policy: from Theory to Practice, Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: from Policy Practice to Social Justice, The Reluctant Welfare State, The Sixteen-Trillion-Dollar Mistake: How the U.S. Bungled Its National Priorities from the New Deal to the Present, and Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy: A Guide for the Health and Helping Professions.

CLIFF WALKER

Cliff Walker is the Political Director of Battleground Texas, which is charged with changing the face of Texas politics by expanding the electorate by registering more voters and mobilizing those Texans who are already registered but who have not been engaged in the democratic process. They use a data-driven, people-focused approach that has helped win grassroots campaigns around the country. As Political Director, Mr. Walker oversees relationships with elected officials and coalition partners across the state. A San Antonio native, Cliff began his political career working in Congressman Henry Cuellar's local district office. Most recently, after working for Joe Farias and the Back to Basics Political Action Committee, Cliff was the Executive Director of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC), and worked closely with Democratic lawmakers and allies to recruit, field, and fund quality Democratic challengers during the 2012 campaign cycle. Cliff attended Yale University and is proud to have spent his entire career working to elect Democrats in Texas.

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