SW-670: Mental Health/Addiction Policy

This advanced graduate course will focus on the development of knowledge, values and skills needed to effect policy change for mental health and addiction service delivery systems at an organizational, community, and legislative levels. The processes and politics of making policies related to mental health and addiction will be examined from historical and contemporary perspectives. Emphasis is placed on "policy practice" and the course will examine the knowledge and political skills needed to effectively analyze policy, be an effective advocate, and impact public policy and social change. Special consideration is also given to how the mental health system has historically and contemporarily related to populations at-risk and the impact it has had on service provision and policy development. Prerequisite: Admission to Advanced Standing MSW Program or completion of foundation curriculum.