
Navigating Policy and Practice in the Great Recession is a fictional narrative that follows Martha White, the intrepid executive director of a small non-profit organization, as she navigates policy practice and demonstrates enlightened administrative leadership in the years during and following the Great Recession. Based on the authors' 20-plus years of experience in non-profit management and the evaluation of more than 40 welfare-to-work programs, the narrative encompasses a broad range of policies, programs, and critical issues related to macro-practice and organizational leadership. Readers will be exposed to the causes and consequences of the Great Recession and learn the real-life implications of policy and practice on the lives of vulnerable families and the social service system. Engaging for students and helpful for professors, the text is ideal for to social work, social policy, and social justice introductory courses.
Martha White, an executive director of a small non-profit, must maintain organizational stability and advocate for vulnerable families amidst the economic instability of the Great Recession. Tasked with managing limited resources while navigating complex welfare-to-work policies, Martha faces mounting pressure from both internal administrative constraints and external systemic failures. The narrative follows her efforts to implement effective leadership strategies in a volatile economic climate that threatens the survival of her organization. Through a series of professional challenges, the story illustrates the intersection of macro-level policy decisions and their direct impact on local social service delivery. The narrative framework utilizes a character-driven approach to bridge the gap between theoretical social work concepts and practical application.
Readers and educators often describe this work as a functional bridge between academic theory and the realities of social work practice. Discussion frequently centers on the effectiveness of using a narrative format to explain complex policy issues that might otherwise feel abstract to students. Critics highlight the authors' extensive background in program evaluation as a key factor in the book's realistic portrayal of non-profit challenges. Many readers note that the pacing is structured to mirror the gradual unfolding of the economic crisis, providing a clear view of how leadership decisions evolve over time. The text is widely regarded as a useful tool for introductory courses in social justice and public policy.
Page Count:
152
Publication Date:
2018-06-22
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190871083
ISBN-13:
9780190871086
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