The Effect of Privatization on Advocacy: Social Work State-Level Advocacy With the Executive Branch

Third-party contracting has fundamentally changed the relationship clients and consumers of social services have with state government and its agencies. Because state legislatures have load-shed service delivery responsibilities onto third-party vendors, social workers need to be more involved with administrative officials in the executive branch. This descriptive analysis examines the role of the social worker and ways social workers can become engaged in effective state-level executive policy development. A model for practice is presented that seeks to contribute to existing literature through increasing social workers' awareness and involvement in advocacy practice. Critical to successful advocacy is knowledge about key targets in the executive branch and their roles. Tactical strategies for advocacy, with examples, are included.