An action-oriented text, the Sixth Edition of Affecting Change continues to provide new ideas and strategies to help students become better advocates for their future clients.   Updated to reflect advances in technology and changes in social welfare policy, this revision shows students how to develop political action skills. This practical, step-by-step guide focuses on advocacy as the central mission of social work practice. New material and personal scenarios involving social workers who have made a difference–senators, representatives, and officials in the political arena–serve to inspire students. Revised and expanded chapters show how social work skills can be most effective, whether by impacting the political arena as a social worker or running for office.

Table of Contents:
1. All Social Work is Political   2. Social Work Values versus Politics             The Professional Code of Ethics             Primary Principles:  Social Justice and Empowerment             Specialization versus Systemic Solutions             Self-Determination versus Compromise             Emotional Neutrality versus Client Self-Interest              Impartiality versus Partisan Politics             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   3. The Emergence of a Social Work Polity             The Reform Period             The New Deal and Beyond             The War on Poverty             Social Action Models             Federalism             The New Federalism             The 1990s             The George “Dubya” Bush Era             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   4. The Debate             Some Perspectives             When Karen Met Harry:  Unfaithful Angels Disputed             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   5. Policy Models for Political Advocacy             Models Defined                         Institutional Model                         Process Model                         Group Theory Model                         Elite Theory Model                         Rational Model                         Incremental Model             A Proactive Approach to Policy Development             Policy Analysis             Policy Evaluation                         Effort                         Quality                         Effectiveness                         Efficiency             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   6. The Practitioner’s Influence on Policy             Information Disseminiation                         Documentation                         Testimony                         Expert Witness                         Written  Communication             Client Empowerment                         Enabler/Advocate Role                         Evaluator/Consultant Role                         Voter Registration             Hatch Act             The Executive’s Role in Influencing Policy             Influencing Policy:  An Illustration             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   7. Influence Through Lobbying             Social Work Skills in the Political Process             The Political Process             The Politician             The Informal Political Process             Lobbying Groundwork                         Goal Setting                         Strategy Setting             Lobbying Methods                         Letter Writing                         Telephoning                         Face-to-Face Lobbying                         Testifying             Lobbying and Nonprofits             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   8. Tools to Influence and Organize Others             Ten Phases of a Social Movement             Strategy             Coalition Building             Technology             Gimmicks             Using the Media                         Newspapers                         Radio                         Television                     Examples of Organizing Others             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   9. Monitoring the Bureaucracy             Promulgating the Rules             Rule Implementation and Agency Compliance                         Budget Allocations                         Administrative Changes or Executive Orders             Social Work Skills             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   10. Political Action Committees             Why is a PAC Organized?             Process of Selection             Candidate Endorsements             Targeting             Fallout             Idealism versus Winning             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   11. The Campaign             Components of the Campaign                         Time                         Money                         People             Campaign Management             The Campaign Manager:  Who Really Runs the Campaign?             Voter Contact             Targeting             Issues             Social Workers and Campaigns             What to Expect When Volunteering             How to Volunteer for a Campaign             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   12. Social Workers as Politicians             Respondent Characteristics             Deciding to Run             Building a Constituent Base             Campaigning             Realities of Office             Recommendations             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Readings             References   13. Jump In             Where to Start             Just Do It             Do It Early             People Influence People             You Can Make a Difference             Advocacy is Not for Wimps             Speak Out             Just Say No             Conclusion             Assignments             Suggested Reading             References   Glossary of Legislative Terms Web Sites Index