Research Guides: #Social Work: Public Policy &amp; Research Organizations

Public Policy

What is Policy?
Policy Websites

Difference Between Policy and Law

“Policy is the outlines of what a government is going to do and what it can achieve for the society as a whole. “Policy” also means what a government does not intend to do. It also evolves the principles that are needed for achieving the goal. Policies are only documents and not law, but these policies can lead to new laws.”

“Laws are set standards, principles, and procedures that must be followed in society. Law is mainly made for implementing justice in the society. There are various types of laws framed like criminal laws, civil laws, and international laws. While a law is framed for bringing justice to the society, a policy is framed for achieving certain goals.”

- University of Washington

The Handbook of Social Policy by James O. Midgley (Editor); Michelle M. Livermore (Editor)
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Collection: Proquest Ebook Central (unlimited users)
ISBN: 9781412950770
Published: 2008
The Handbook of Social Policy is an attempt to document the substantial body of knowledge about government social policies. The second edition provides up-to-date policies and references to include the latest information on social policy

American Policy Directory
Find analysis and advocacy from all perspectives on US national public policy. List compiled by University of Oregon.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the public to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more.
Kaiser Family Foundation
KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) is a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. KFF develops and runs its own policy analysis, journalism and communications programs, sometimes in partnership with major news organizations.
MAP - Movement Advancement Projects
Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.
RAND Corporation
RAND is committed to critical issues of particular relevance to the public policy debate. Here you can browse work aggregated by Research Area from across a diverse organization composed of nearly 100 active projects, programs, and centers.
Violence Policy Center
The VPC informs the public about the impact of gun violence on their daily lives, exposes the profit-driven marketing and lobbying activities of the firearms industry and gun lobby, offers unique technical expertise to policymakers, organizations, and advocates on the federal, state, and local levels, and works for policy changes that save lives.