In the second part of the six-part series, Policy Affects Practice, we are treated to a talk by Wendy Sherman, MSW. Sherman’s career spans directing the Office of Child Welfare in Maryland to the political world where she was Counselor of the Department of State to Secretary of State Madeline Albright. This video affords an opportunity to hear a leader of the profession describe triumphs and ongoing challenges.
In October of 2002, just over a year after the events of September 11th in the United States, Sherman spoke eloquently about the speed and depth of change in the world. Highlighting the inevitability of change, both positive and negative, she makes the case for social workers to play a central role in guiding social change, never standing on the sidelines.
The core principles of social work, such as person-in-situation and client self-determination, have guided Sherman’s career, and she challenges the social workers in her audience to learn how to become effective in today’s ever challenging environment.
You’ll be able to identify and analyze some characteristics of change, know which principles are essential for social workers to remember, and come away inspired about the possibilities for social in the 21st Century.
This video is part of the 6-video series, Policy Affects Practice. Other videos in this series include:
- Creating Change: Building a Legislative Coalition
- Social Workers Effecting Change: Legislative Advocacy
- Making a Difference: Influencing State Policy
- Social Work Advocacy: The State Budget
- Policy Affects Practice & Students/Practitioners Affect Policy
- Social Work: Practicing in a Century of Change
