Policy advocacy is a powerful strategy that can be used by social workers to address a wide range of challenges affecting their clients. Chesapeake, VA, is characterized by an increasing rate of unemployment and high living costs. A policy aimed at addressing this problem is needed at Chesapeake, VA. In an attempt to implement the proposed Dollar Tree project, I chose to have a conversation with my legislator (Maier, 2016). The legislator with whom I had a conversation is Alan Krasnoff.
From the very beginning, Alan Krasnoff was aware of this challenge affecting the people of Chesapeake. The respondent believed strongly that the proposed idea was critical towards supporting the needs of more citizens. He argued that the proposal seemed to support his agenda for the city. The legislator’s focus was on the best strategies that could address the major economic issues affecting the city (Maier, 2016). This fact explains why the legislator was ready to support the project.
During the discussion, I was able to inform the respondent about the importance of the project. I began by describing why unemployment was a critical issue in the targeted community. I also highlighted the major issues that affected the people of Chesapeake, VA. I used my listening and communication skills to engage the legislator. He was happy because the idea was aimed at transforming the lifestyles of many people. The discussion was critical towards supporting the needs of more unemployed citizens in the community (Maier, 2016).
From my personal perspective, I strongly believe that the legislator was helpful. This is true because he congratulated me for informing him about a major challenge that has continued to affect more people. Additionally, he gave me new insights that can be used to address a wide range of social problems. For example, he argued that every individual was expected to present his or her ideas in an attempt to address various societal problems (Maier, 2016). The legislator was ready to identify new measures that could support the proposed project. He also argued that more strategies were needed in order to avail sustainable jobs to more people.
The discussion was imperative because it equipped me with new ideas and concepts. I have realized that some leaders are always ready to address the problems affecting their people. This fact explains why members of the society should consider similar initiatives and collaborate with their legislators (Sperman, 2015). Politicians and policymakers should be ready to support the diverse needs of their people (Wethe & Carroll, 2015).
The advocacy assignment informs more people about the unique roles of social workers in the society. Such workers should use their skills to advocate for human rights and economic justice. They can do so by encouraging their leaders to implement desirable strategies and initiatives that can deliver positive results (Wethe & Carroll, 2015). As a social worker, I will always embrace the concept of policy advocacy to improve the quality of social services available to more people.
Finally, I am planning to inform more stakeholders and businesspeople about the targeted project. These stakeholders will offer the relevant support and advice in an attempt to reduce unemployment in Chesapeake, VA (Wethe & Carroll, 2015). I will embrace the use evidence-based ideas to identify new practices that can address the issue of joblessness in our community.
References
Maier, B. (2016). Dollar Tree to invest $110 million, creating 600 new jobs in Chesapeake. Web.
Sperman, A. (2015). How to fight long-term unemployment: lessons from Germany. IZA Discussion Papers, 1(1), 1-30.
Wethe, D., & Carroll, J. (2015). Chesapeake guts workforce to 10-year low on gas-price rout. Web.