Collaborative Advocacy As an up and coming social worker it is important that I am not only competent in knowing what resources are

available to help my clients, but I have to be on the forefront on creating social change and preserving social justice. I would collaborative with other agencies or advocacy groups to create a watchdog group called the Coalition for Justice and one of our main objectives would be to make sure that social service programs are not being attacked and defunded. In my opinion there is already enough obstacles and requirements in Georgia to even be considered to get into human services programs, that there does not need to be any other unnecessary blockades to deter people from seeking help. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world and so many people in America should not be falling below the poverty line. I think a watchdog group would be instrumental in preserving social programs here in Georgia and nationally because watchdog groups can become a powerful lobbying group. The Coalition for Justice can be the voice in the state legislature and Capitol Hill. Another collaborative initiative I would do is host town hall meetings to make sure that communities are informed of bills and policies that would impact communities on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. A lot of time people are unaware of what is taking place in the legislature and it is the job of social workers to advocate and educate the communities they serve. Georgia is a red state. That means that most of the people in power fall under a conservative ideology. Georgia is fiscally conservative state, not a lot of resources and funding is dedicated to supporting human services. With being conservative, right-wing, red state that entails limited government, the pull yourself by the bootstraps mentality, and not socially open to change for minorities in America. It is important to educate people and keep them aware of social issues and current events, because knowledge is power. The cohesive voice of the people can send a strong message to those in power; that why I think town hall meetings to inform the community is important because public opinion is strong factor in a democracy.