(May 2025) In a recent meeting of the Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW) network leads, participants discussed how the field might respond to the current national political climate. Recognizing that changes at the federal and state levels are affecting many areas central to social work—particularly issues related to equity and community well-being—Network leads offered a range of recommendations to support the profession and the people it serves.
The ideas are shared below not as partisan statements, but as proposed strategies to help social work scholars, practitioners, and institutions respond constructively to shifting policy environments.
We welcome your feedback on which of these strategies should be prioritized and invite suggestions for additional approaches. This evolving framework may also serve as a foundation for longer-term policy impact work within the Grand Challenges initiative.
- Develop toolkits that help social workers take action (e.g., how to contact representatives, suggested language and demands).
- Join or initiate legal action—such as class action lawsuits—against policies that threaten social work values or vulnerable populations.
- Build or join coalitions beyond social work for broader policy advocacy.
- Issue updated policy briefs that identify common ground with multiple political ideologies and reflect current legislative dynamics.
- Create rapid, evidence-based summaries that show the cost-effectiveness and positive outcomes of social programs at risk.
- Increase funding and fellowships for doctoral students and early-career faculty, especially those working on politically sensitive topics.
- Offer small internal grant programs that prioritize junior scholars at risk of losing state or federal funding.
- Be thoughtful about authorship on public-facing advocacy materials, shielding vulnerable pre-tenure faculty when needed.
- Establish support groups within the profession to address emotional stress, burnout, and peer learning around advocacy strategies.
- Collect feedback from early-career scholars and use it to coach institutional leaders (e.g., deans, chairs) on how to support faculty in a volatile environment.
- Leverage existing lobbying firms affiliated with CSWE and NASW to target key appropriations committee members and influence federal budget priorities.
- Promote collective action and coordination among all major social work organizations (e.g., SWER, NASW, CSWE) to unify messaging and strengthen national impact.
1. What strategies would you prioritize?
2. What additional strategies would you add?
Submit your feedback here by July 1, 2025!
Questions? Email us!