The Application Of Social Change, Leadership, And Advocacy

The Application Of Social Change Leadership And Advocacy To A Specif

The process of applying social change, leadership, and advocacy within a human and social services organization is a strategic and systematic endeavor. This approach involves selecting a pertinent societal or professional issue that resonates personally and professionally, then identifying an organization that aligns with this issue. The subsequent step entails establishing a clear, manageable goal related to social change, leadership, or advocacy for the chosen organization. Human services professionals utilize strategic planning to achieve these goals, integrating insights from coursework that include conducting needs assessments and developing the core elements of a comprehensive strategic plan. Throughout this process, professionals examine their chosen issue and organization from multiple perspectives, aiming to foster meaningful social impact.

In preparation for this discussion, it is essential to review relevant literature that discusses effective strategies and approaches for human and social services professionals to promote social change, leadership, and advocacy. The Capstone Project requires selecting an issue that excites and motivates the practitioner and a corresponding agency or community level that addresses this issue—be it local, regional, national, or international. This decision guides the development of a strategic plan targeted toward advancing social change, leadership, or advocacy within that context.

Specifically, by Day 4, the practitioner must identify the organization, whether it exists at the local, regional, national, or international level, and articulate the reasons for its selection. Additionally, the strategic plan should be developed from one of three perspectives: social change, leadership, or advocacy. The choice of perspective should be justified based on the nature of the issue and the goals envisioned for the organization or community. This initial step sets the foundation for exploring the issue and organization in depth, aiming to generate impactful interventions aligned with the practitioner’s passion and professional expertise.

Paper For Above instruction

For this Capstone Project, I have chosen to focus on the issue of homelessness among veterans at the national level in the United States. This issue is particularly compelling due to its persistent nature and the profound social consequences it entails. Homelessness among veterans not only signifies a failure to honor those who have served but also imposes substantial economic, health, and social costs on communities and the nation. The organization selected to develop a strategic plan around this issue is the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The NCHV operates nationwide, providing resources, advocacy, and policy development to address veteran homelessness comprehensively.

I have chosen this organization for its direct engagement with the veteran community, its influence on public policy, and its capacity to implement impactful programs. The organization’s focus aligns with my passion for social justice and mental health, and I see a significant opportunity to leverage leadership strategies and advocacy efforts to effect systemic change. My strategic plan will primarily be developed from an advocacy perspective, aiming to influence policy, increase resource allocation, and promote public awareness about veteran homelessness. This perspective is most appropriate given the complex, multifaceted nature of the issue, which requires coordinated efforts to change societal attitudes, improve service delivery, and secure legislative support.

The advocacy approach will enable me to focus on mobilizing stakeholders, engaging policymakers, and fostering partnerships among governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Such efforts are vital to creating sustainable solutions that address the root causes of veteran homelessness, such as mental health issues, unemployment, and social stigma. By adopting a strategic plan centered on advocacy, I aim to catalyze systemic change that goes beyond immediate relief and promotes long-term stability and reintegration for homeless veterans.

This project will involve an assessment of the current landscape surrounding veteran homelessness, including existing policies, resources, and gaps. I will analyze organizational capabilities and identify leverage points for advocacy campaigns. The plan will also outline specific strategies, such as lobbying for increased federal and state funding, developing public awareness campaigns, and fostering collaborations between veterans’ organizations and healthcare providers. The ultimate goal is to promote a comprehensive, multi-level approach that mobilizes various sectors of society to address this urgent social issue effectively.

References

  • Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
  • Almog-Bar, M., & Schmid, H. (2014). Advocacy activities of nonprofit human service organizations: A critical review. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 43(1), 11–35.
  • Shier, M. L., & Handy, F. (2016). Executive leadership and social innovation in direct-service nonprofits: Shaping the organizational culture to create social change. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 27(2), 111–130.
  • Shier, M. L., & Handy, F. (2014). From advocacy to social innovation: A typology of social change efforts by nonprofits. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 26(6), 2581–2603.
  • National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (2021). About us. Retrieved from https://nchv.org/about-us/
  • United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2020). Veteran homelessness: Housing and services. Retrieved from https://www.usich.gov/common_help/veteran-homelessness
  • Marlatt, G. A., & Watkins, J. G. (2014). Harm reduction therapy: A comprehensive approach. Guilford Publications.
  • Kertesz, S. G., & Weiner, S. J. (2017). Implementing strategies to reduce veteran homelessness: Lessons learned. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8), 1179–1180.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019). 2019 Veteran homelessness data. VA.gov.
  • Hoffman, S. J., & Webber, D. (2016). Advocacy strategies to address social determinants of health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 37(4), 474–488.

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