Democracy & Social Change
We help social work leaders strengthen civic infrastructure, so that everyone has a voice in institutional and governmental decisions.
The Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH) harnesses the power of social work to defend democracy and boost health equity. Working with marginalized communities, we convert lived experience into policy gains. Our aim is to train leaders and fortify civic infrastructure for a more equitable future.
We pair rigorous, community-based research with education and co-design projects that help people who are most affected by injustice to shape the laws and budgets that impact their lives. By uniting credible evidence, frontline stories, and strategic training, we help communities convert lived expertise into legislative impact—whether securing Medicaid protections, advancing disability justice, or widening the electorate through workshops and convenings.
The Beyond 2025 Action Hub
The Beyond 2025 Action Hub is our signature project that turns alarm into collective action. When “Project 2025” and similar policy platforms threatened hard-won civil rights, health, and social service protections, we launched the Beyond 2025 Action Hub.
The goal of the project is to transform concern and frustration with the current state of affairs into strategic collaborative efforts capable of defending—and expanding—equity-oriented policy. The Hub offers:
A searchable database of 1,300+ proposed federal policies
Real-time Critical Conversation webinars
Topic-focused affinity groups and Holding Space dialogues
An open-source Action Toolkit that walks users from civics 101 to advanced advocacy tactics
CISWH’s labs also build power for policy change. Our Powerbuilding & Leadership Lab equips social workers with skills in coalition building, power mapping, and legislative strategy, while the Social Work Innovation Lab tests new tools to mobilize community partners and equip them with a strong collective voice.
CISWH’s labs also build power for policy change. Our Powerbuilding & Leadership Lab equips social workers with skills in coalition building, power mapping, and legislative strategy, while the Social Work Innovation Lab tests new tools to mobilize community partners and equip them with a strong collective voice.
