Ethics & Advocacy
A single parent loses TANF benefits after missing a required work meeting because her childcare fell through. As a social worker, what ethical value supports advocating for more flexible TANF policies?
Social Justice
A university adds diversity scholarships after public criticism. This aligns most with which CRT concept?
Interest Convergence — progress happens when it benefits dominant interests.
A grandparent caring for her grandson through legal guardianship needs financial help. Which California program supports her?
Kin-GAP (Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program).
A student experiencing homelessness lacks residency documents but wants to enroll in school. What law ensures their right to enroll?
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
A city plans to fine people for sleeping outdoors to “reduce homelessness.” Which policy analysis step questions this logic?
Define the Problem — identifying homelessness as systemic, not criminal.
A hospital social worker realizes her agency prioritizes quick discharges to save costs, even when patients have no safe housing. What should guide her advocacy for change?
Integrity — acting ethically even when it conflicts with agency pressure.
A Latina client shares that her family’s cultural traditions are often misunderstood by service agencies. How does CRT help us analyze this?
Voice-of-Color Thesis — centering lived experience to challenge dominant narratives.
A family loses childcare because their income increased slightly — but not enough to afford private care. What advocacy aligns with NASW’s stance on family policy?
Advocate for equitable childcare funding and flexible eligibility thresholds.
A social worker believes a student’s 504 Plan isn’t sufficient for his documented learning disability. What advocacy action should she take?
Request an evaluation for an IEP under IDEA.
A proposed healthcare policy would save money but exclude undocumented immigrants. Which concept helps analyze this?
Confronting Trade-Offs — balancing efficiency against equity.
A new state proposal limits benefits for mixed-status immigrant families. A social worker organizes community education and legislative outreach. Which NASW values guide this advocacy?
Dignity and Worth of the Person, Service, and Social Justice.
A Black transgender woman faces discrimination in housing and employment. Which CRT tenet explains the layered impact of oppression here?
Intersectionality — overlapping systems of oppression create unique barriers.
A legislator argues that welfare reform “teaches responsibility.” How would a social worker respond using NASW values?
Challenge that framing — TANF can perpetuate poverty and racialized stereotypes; advocate for supportive, not punitive, reform.
Data shows Black students face harsher discipline than White peers for similar behavior. How can a social worker respond using ESSA and CRT?
Use ESSA’s equity focus to analyze data and apply CRT to advocate for restorative practices.
A social worker testifies at a legislative hearing using client stories and statewide data to advocate for housing reform. What analysis skill is demonstrated?
Tell Your Story — connecting data and lived experience to influence policy.