• About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Merch
SWHELPER
  • Login
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • LGBTQ
  • Justice
No Result
View All Result
Post Jobs
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • LGBTQ
  • Justice
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Health Mental Health

Macro Community Practice: Why It Can’t Be Separated From Politics

Deona Hooper, MSWbyDeona Hooper, MSW
02/09/2016
in Mental Health, News, Politics
0
Macro Community Practice: Why It Can’t Be Separated From Politics
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

What is macro community practice, and what does it have to do with politics? Anyone who follows me on twitter knows that I often engage in political discussions with my @swhelpercom twitter account. Most people outside of social work are often glad to see a social worker engaged in the conversation because these discussions involve Medicare, Social Security, Mental Health and Welfare programs. They view us as the experts in these areas because we are the implementers and providers within those programs.

Social workers are the largest provider of mental health services in the United States, yet we are not at the table when experts are gathered by the government to reform these various systems. Who is the blame for social workers being absent from the policy making table which will overwhelmingly affect our ability to provide services to the people we serve? Macro community practice by definition is instituting programs and policies to increase the outcomes of the service community. Macro community practice focuses on using program evaluation and evidence based practices to gather essential data to identify areas for improvement.

Unfortunately, many social workers in both the US and abroad do not believe social workers should engage in politics. On several occasions, I have been told by other social workers that its inappropriate for me to engage in political conversations or advocate from a political point-of-view because social work is not political or it must be engaged in a nonpartisan way. Social Work is a profession much like teaching and law enforcement in the respect that our jobs are intrinsically linked to government funding.

Our Human Services system is in desperate need of reform, resources, and funding. However, is it reasonable to expect politicians with no human service or social work experience to see these systems as a priority especially without a union to protect our interest?

Recently, I had a brief conversation with a social carer in the United Kingdom (UK) on twitter, and I responded in a 140 characters of course. My main point in the conversation is that legislative policy dictates practice, and we must have advocates in public offices who are sympathetic to the plight of social workers/social carers in order to get system changes that are supportive to social workers.

@carerjo Then, how will change come about? Who will care to reform the system if they are not invested in those changes?

— SWHELPER (@swhelperorg) March 22, 2013

I don’t know a single social worker who won’t agree that the system is broken and changes are needed to improve the quality of services to clients, work conditions, and pay for social workers. Macro community practice is designed to look at system changes that will impact service delivery at all levels. However, macro community practice is not a concept that should be viewed from the top down rather than the inside out. No matter our specialty or the demographics we serve, micro/direct practice should never be separated from macro practice.

For a macro community practitioner to be effective we must challenge systematic oppression as well as oppressive policy and laws creating barriers and limiting our clients ability to improve their outcomes. When can still help one client at a time, but how we vote and who will put in office will determine the fate of our profession.

I have attached below a pdf from University of Texas on the expanding areas and opportunities for macro community practice.

[gview file=”https://www.utexas.edu/ssw/dl/files/dccs/handouts/macrosw.pdf”]

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Tags: macro practiceMental HealthpoliticsSocial WorkSocial Workers
Previous Post

NASW-NC Lobby Day: Livingstone College Showed Up

Next Post

Social Work and Social Media: Tools for Networking and E-Advocacy

Next Post
Social Work and Social Media: Tools for Networking and E-Advocacy

Social Work and Social Media: Tools for Networking and E-Advocacy

Please login to join discussion
ADVERTISEMENT

Featured Jobs

Assistant Professor, Violence Against Women Cluster
Orlando, FL - University of Central Florida
The OpportunityThe University of Central Florida (...
Bilingual Spanish Speaking SCR CWS - Child Welfare Specialist - Chicago - Upward Mobility Job Details | State of Illinois
Chicago, IL - State of Illinois
Bilingual Spanish Speaking SCR CWS - Child Welfare...
Foster Care Social Worker (Trainee/Full Performance)
Arlington, VA - Arlington County Government
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 8/07/2025, 11:59 PM The Chil...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Pittsford, NY - Optum
Psychiatry Services of New York, part of Optum fam...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Appleton WI
Appleton, WI - Optum
Sherman Counseling, part of the Optum family of bu...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LISW-CP)
North Charleston, SC - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)
Port Washington, WI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Division Chief, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
San Antonio, TX - Curative
The Executive & Academic Search team with Doxi...
MSW Social Worker
Chatsworth, CA - Optum
For those who want to invent the future of health ...
LICSW Clinical Supervisor - Mankato MN
Mankato, MN - Optum
CARE Counseling, part of the Optum family of busin...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (REMOTE)
Gig Harbor, WA - LifeStance Health
Sign-On Bonus!We are actively looking to hire tale...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (REMOTE)
Olympia, WA - LifeStance Health
Sign-On Bonus!We are actively looking to hire tale...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (REMOTE)
Sammamish, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (REMOTE)
Bothell, WA - LifeStance Health
Sign-On Bonus!We are actively looking to hire tale...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Edmonds, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Renton, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (REMOTE)
Lakewood, WA - LifeStance Health
Sign-On Bonus!We are actively looking to hire tale...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Outpatient
Jacksonville, FL - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Bristol, TN - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Nashville, TN - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Knoxville, TN - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Assistant Professor of Law and Advocacy with Children, Youth and Families
Santa Clara, CA - Santa Clara University
Position Type:Assistant Professor of Law and Advoc...
Geriatric Social Worker
Brockton, MA - Harbor Health Services Inc
Harbor Health  operates two PACE/Elder Servic...
Associate Director for the Wilks Institute of Leadership & Service
Oxford, OH - Miami University
Job Description Summary The Associate Director is ...
Social Worker - Field - Dougherty County, GA
Atlanta, GA - CVS Health
At CVS Health, we're building a world of health ar...
Social Worker - Field - Carroll County, GA
Atlanta, GA - CVS Health
At CVS Health, we're building a world of health ar...
Social Worker Case Manager MSW Seattle WA
Seattle, WA - Optum
$7,500 Sign on bonus for External Candidates70% Fi...
Clinical Nurse Consultant or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker or Psychologist - Senior (Mental Health Clinician Evolve)
Bundaberg, Queensland - Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service
Location:    Evolve Therapeutic Services...
Crisis Social Worker
Monroe, MI - Delta-T Group Detroit, Inc.
Delta-T Group connects professionals with client o...
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
Bloomfield, MI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Therapist...
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
Auburn Hills, MI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Therapist...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Kirkland, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) / Clinical Supervisor
Wilmington, DE - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Outpatient
Baldwin Park, FL - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Outpatient
Lake Underhill, FL - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Outpatient
Oviedo, FL - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Child & Adolescent
Wilmington, DE - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Bloomfield, MI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Auburn Hills, MI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Timonium, MD - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Chevy Chase, MD - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Millersville, MD - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Georgetown, KY - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Wilmington, DE - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Claymont, DE - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Social Worker MSW 1
Dallas, TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
*Location: Baylor University Medical Center, Dalla...
Psychotherapist/Social Worker Palliative Care
Seattle, WA - Providence
The Palliative Care Services Psychotherapist/Socia...
School Health Social Worker - Partial Year (Full Time, Day shift)
Miami, FL - Nicklaus Children's Health System
Description Job Summary The School Health Social...
PERMANENCY SPECIALIST - SPRINGFIELD Job Details | State of Illinois
Springfield, IL - State of Illinois
PERMANENCY SPECIALIST - SPRINGFIELDWe continually ...
TRIO Academic Coordinator (Student Services Generalist)
Gary, IN - Indiana University
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally...
View All JobsPost a Job
Powered by

  • Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

    Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

    94 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

    694 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Biopsychosocial Perspective to Mental Health and Illness

    3 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Stages of Development: Aging Across the Life Span

    580 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • My Journey as a Teacher and the Future of Education

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ADVERTISEMENT
SWHELPER

We bring content to support you and the people you care about in their various stages of life. If you are searching in google on how to help or assist a loved one or yourself, check out our content.

LEARN MORE »

  • Terms of Service
  • Article Submissions
  • Advertising
  • Shop Merch

© 2024 SWHELPER.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Category
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Opinion
    • Politics
    • Tech
    • World
  • Find/Post Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop Merch

© 2024 SWHELPER.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
If You Enjoyed This Post
Join Our Newsletter
Subscribe
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
Close