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Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy (CRISP)

Unleashing the Power of Social Work on the Hill

Social Workers Face Many Challenges on the Hill

There’s so much going on in the world around us each day. Decisions are being made in the political arena that will impact us for a lifetime. Do you usually take a backseat on politics but would like to stay informed?

Social workers must be aware of what is going on in the political arena on all levels of government. Principles in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics state:

Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems . . . Social workers challenge injustice.

Many of the policies chosen and laws enacted are decided in the political arena. Thus, social workers must be engaged with the political system at all levels of government.

The BEYOND ADVOCACY Blog

BY CHARLES E. LEWIS, JR

Emily Ball Jabbour for Mayor Of Hoboken, NJ

Social worker and fellow alum from Columbia School of Social Work, Emily Ball Jabbour, decided to throw her hat into the ring as a candidate for...

Remembering Charlie Rangel

The late Congressman Charlie Rangel, Ed Towns, and I attended the launch reception for the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and...

Governor Wes Moore’s Tough Decision

Gov. Wes Moore (D). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s veto of Senate Bill 587, which would have established the Maryland...

Democrats Need a Project 2027

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (center) is flanked by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (left) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar As we...

Barbara Lee Elected Mayor of Oakland

Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee continues to emulate the legacy of her mentor, the late Ron Dellums, as she won the election to complete the term...

Saluting our 2025 CRISP Award Winners

CRISP 2019 Award Winners We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2025 CRISP Awards. Each year, we recognize social workers and others who have...

Young Social Workers Eye Entry into Politics

We are focusing on the need for social workers in political arenas. We’ve always been in legislative settings, participated in campaigns, mobilized...

Them That’s Got Shall Get

From Left: Dr. Carrie Pettus, Legislative Aide Santos Marino, Dr. Angelique Day, and Rebecca Goodwin of WSIPP. It is fitting to title my first blog...

A Contrast in Character

The funeral service for former President James Earl Carter was an event of the magnitude deserving of someone who lived a life dedicated to helping...

Remembering President Jimmy Carter

Like many, I had no idea who James Earl Carter was when he declared his candidacy for President of the United States in 1974. He had served as...

Social Work Research and the Political Arena

If you are planning to arrive in Seattle early for the Society for Social Work and Research annual conference, we invite you to join CRISP,...

Rep. Garcia Has Big Plans for Social Work Caucus

From left: CRISP Director Charles E. Lewis, Jr, CSWE CEO Dr. Halaevalu Vakalahi, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, NASW CEO Dr. Anthony Estreet....

DEMOCRACY is a fragile political system that empowers citizens to participate in decision-making to determine how their society is governed, how legislators and other governmental officials are elected or selected, how resources are distributed, and what rights will be accorded to the citizenry. This is often spelled out in a founding document such as a constitution.

Diversity is a challenge because differences in race, ethnicity, culture, values, customs, religion, and ideology may lead to conflicting or competing aspirations. As a nation of immigrants and one of the world’s most diverse societies, the United States has experienced challenges keeping a peaceful coexistence among its various factions.

Attacks on democratic institutions like the media, the courts, and free and fair elections can erode trust in government and lead to autocratic forms of government.

Learn more about the Social Work Democracy Project

The Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy (CRISP) focuses on Congress and the federal government. Social issues such as child welfare, healthcare, housing, and voting rights are being decided at the state and local levels and Congress.

Our very democracy could be in jeopardy if citizens are not actively engaged in its preservation. CRISP provides information to equip you to be an informed and responsible citizenry. We send representatives to the government to look out for the welfare of citizens. It is up to us to hold them accountable.

The purpose of the Social Work Democracy Project is to raise the awareness of social workers about threats to democracy in the United States and to encourage social workers to increase our civic engagement at all levels of society.