The Following Is This Student's Post For SOCW 6361 Week T

The Following Is This Students Post For The Socw 6361 Week Two Policy

The following is this student’s post for the SOCW 6361 week two Policy assignment. In this post, this student will attempt to describe the agency, the policy, and the social problem it addresses. Agency definition: During this quarter, this student is expecting to provide referenced experience from his place of employment, CRN Health Group. CRN Health Group is located in Dayton Ohio and provide programs and services designed for assisting clients who are working through issues resulting from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). At CRN Health Group, this student works in the medication assisted treatment (MAT) division.

Policy: Policy advocacy occurs at the three different levels of social work practice, micro, mezzo, and macro (Jansson, 2018). The CRN Health Group’s confidentiality policies are detailed and defined in the CRN Staff Handbook (CRN) and outlined in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). The handbook references procedures for managing and maintaining records in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations specific to the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse clients as defined in 42 C.F.R. part 2 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (AOAHN, 2017). Social Problems: Reflection on policy initiatives, practice strategy or ethical standard designed to help professionals is necessary and appropriate to ensure that the policies, practices and ethics support the goals for which they were intended to meet (Wulff, St George, & Besthorn, 2011).

Addiction directly and indirectly affects many areas of society such as family and family structure, the health care system, legal system, and potentially availability of benefits. CRN works directly with individuals at the micro level utilizing agency policies and procedures. Agency (mezzo) policies and procedures are driven, influenced, and derived from the state and federal (macro) laws and regulations. Reference: CRN Health Group: Staff Handbook (2017). Client Confidentiality & Record Access, pg. 48-50. Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice. (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series. Wulff, D. P., St George, S. A., & Besthorn, F. H. (2011). Revisiting confidentiality: observations from family therapy practice. Journal of Family Therapy, 33(2), 199–214.

Paper For Above instruction

The issue of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a critical social problem influencing various facets of society, necessitating targeted advocacy and policy interventions. The agency under discussion, CRN Health Group in Dayton, Ohio, exemplifies a micro-level service provider that addresses SUD through its Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. This essay explores the agency’s policy framework, the social implications of addiction, and advocacy strategies aligned with social work principles, emphasizing the importance of public opinion and policy advocacy in ameliorating this pervasive issue.

CRN Health Group operates as a community-based agency focusing on clients experiencing SUD. Their services are designed to facilitate recovery and support clients in overcoming substance dependency through evidence-based interventions like MAT. The agency adheres to comprehensive confidentiality policies outlined in its Staff Handbook and mandated by Ohio Administrative Code, which align with federal regulations such as 42 C.F.R. part 2 and HIPAA, ensuring the privacy and rights of clients are protected. These policies are crucial for maintaining trust and encouraging clients to engage in treatment without fear of stigma or reprisal. By integrating legal and ethical standards, CRN fosters an environment conducive to recovery, emphasizing the critical role of policy in shaping effective social work practice (Jansson, 2018).

The social problem surrounding SUD extends beyond individual health concerns, impacting families, communities, and broader societal structures. Addiction can destabilize family units, contribute to increased health care costs, generate legal challenges, and diminish employability and access to benefits. These societal repercussions highlight the need for comprehensive policy responses at various levels—federal, state, community, and agency. Macro policies, such as Medicaid expansion or legalization of medication-assisted treatments, influence service availability and funding. Mezzo policies, like community outreach programs and local health initiatives, shape the public response and awareness of SUD. Micro-level policies are evident in agency protocols that guide provider-client interactions and confidentiality (Burns, Paul, & Paz, 2012).

Advocacy efforts targeting SUD involve engaging multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and the community. Effective advocacy requires understanding the influence of public opinion, which often sways political decisions and policy priorities. Negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding addiction can hinder policy reform; hence, advocacy must include public education and destigmatization campaigns. For instance, presenting data on the effectiveness of MAT and recovery rates can shape public attitudes favorably. Furthermore, leveraging media platforms and community forums can amplify advocacy efforts, influencing legislators to enact supportive policies (Rome & Hoechstetter, 2010).

In contemplating a social change project, one idea involves broadening community awareness of SUD and the importance of treatment. Educating the public on how addiction affects individuals and society can foster empathy and support for policy initiatives. Another strategy is advocating for integrated treatment models that combine medical, psychological, and social services, thus addressing the multifaceted nature of addiction. A third idea involves collaborating with veteran organizations to develop targeted programs that assist homeless veterans facing SUD, recognizing the unique challenges faced by this population.

In a clinical social work setting, these advocacy initiatives can transform client experiences by enhancing service coordination and ensuring clients’ needs are prioritized in policy conversations. When clients see that their struggles are acknowledged and addressed through policy reform, it can improve engagement and outcomes. Additionally, advocacy can lead to more accessible and equitable services, reducing barriers to care for marginalized populations, including veterans, minorities, and low-income individuals (Wulff, St George, & Besthorn, 2011).

The policymaking process is heavily influenced by public opinion, which can act as a double-edged sword. While public support can accelerate policy change, misinformation or stigma can impede progress. Advocates must therefore employ strategic communication skills, using evidence-based narratives, storytelling, and coalition-building to sway public opinion positively (Jansson, 2018). Building alliances with community organizations, faith-based groups, and patient advocacy groups can strengthen lobbying efforts and foster social justice outcomes.

Social justice implications of advocacy include promoting equitable access to treatment, reducing disparities among vulnerable populations, and challenging systemic biases that perpetuate stigma. It also involves empowering clients through participation in advocacy efforts, ensuring their voices influence policy decisions. Ultimately, effective advocacy rooted in social justice principles aims to create a more inclusive and compassionate society where individuals affected by SUD receive the support necessary for recovery and social reintegration (Wulff et al., 2011).

References

• Burns, J. C., Paul, P. D., & Paz, S. R. (2012). Participatory asset mapping: A community research lab toolkit. Community Toolbox.
• Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Rome, S. H., & Hoechstetter, S. (2010). Social work and civic engagement: The political participation of professional social workers. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 37(3), 107–129.
• Wulff, D. P., St George, S. A., & Besthorn, F. H. (2011). Revisiting confidentiality: Observations from family therapy practice. Journal of Family Therapy, 33(2), 199–214.
• CRN Health Group. (2017). Staff Handbook: Client Confidentiality & Record Access (pp. 48–50).
• Federal Register. (2019). 42 C.F.R. part 2: Confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records.
• United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2017). HIPAA Privacy Rule.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2021). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide.
• Mattson, C. L., et al. (2018). Trends in receipt of medications for opioid use disorder in U.S. prisons and jails. Addiction, 113(5), 911–920.