NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management - National ...

Advocacy is often required to ensure thatorganizations and service delivery systems■ recognize the strengths and needs of clients■ make services accessible■ provide services appropriate to each client’scircumstances■ deliver services in an effective and timelymanner■ continue services for an appropriate lengthof time and■ prepare clients, other members of the familysystem, and service providers for transitionswhen services are discontinued or transferred.Social work case managers exercise leadershipby advocating for clients on the micro, mezzo,and macro levels. Micro-level advocacy mayinvolve the following activities:■ inclusion of clients in advocacy efforts and inprogram design, planning, and evaluation■ promotion of clients’ strengths, needs, andgoals among colleagues and with otherorganizations■ communication with other service providersand organizations to improve clients’ access toresources, supports, and services.Mezzo- and macro-level advocacy may includethe following activities:■ identification and development of strategiesand resources to address service gaps,fragmentation, discrimination, and otherbarriers that affect case management clients■ securing funding (through grants, third-partyreimbursement, or other sources) for casemanagement services■ review, modification, and creation oforganizational policy, procedures, and39