LEXINGTON, Ky. — Dr. Madri Hall-Faul, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is helping students explore how social workers shape policy through the rulemaking process.
Her recent co-authored article, published in Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, explores how federal rulemaking—a process often overlooked in curricula— provides important chances to influence policies that affect the people and communities social workers support.
In “Federal Rulemaking: An Untapped Arena for Social Work Policy Education and Practice,” Hall-Faul and co-authors Dr. Emily Loveland of California State University San Bernardino and Dr. Kathryn Libal of the University of Connecticut review case studies in which proposed regulations had the potential to substantively shape policies related to social work practice.
“Rules are made every day that shape how justice and support are delivered,” said Hall-Faul. “If we’re not part of that process, we’re leaving power on the table.”
With the recent overturning of the Chevron doctrine by the Supreme Court, the rulemaking process is undergoing a seismic shift. As these changes unfold, the participation of those trained in systems thinking, legal frameworks, and social impact becomes even more critical.
In her courses, Hall-Faul teaches students how to analyze public comment campaigns and practice crafting persuasive policy messages. The hands-on learning helps bridge theory and practice, supporting students in social work and criminal justice as they engage with real-world policy issues.
Hall-Faul also plays a significant role in the College of Social Work’s annual participation in Social Work Lobby Day, where students and faculty travel to the Kentucky State Capitol to engage directly with lawmakers on pressing legislative issues.
“Policy can feel abstract in the classroom—but when students sit across from a legislator and speak from experience, it becomes real. It also helps students realize that legislators are people with whom they can build a relationship” Hall-Faul shares, “That’s where change starts.”
For more information on the College of Social Work’s programs and initiatives, visit https://socialwork.uky.edu.
