The History of Influencing Social Policy (ISP)
1997-2006
In 1997, Robert L. Schneider, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, recognized a critical gap in social work education: the need for students and professionals to engage more actively in policy advocacy at the state level. Responding to the devolution of policy-making responsibilities following the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, Schneider convened a meeting at the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Program Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. This gathering led to the formation of the National Committee for Educating Students to Influence State Policy and Legislation, with the goal of equipping social workers with the skills to shape state policies effectively.
Later that year, the group adopted the name Influencing State Policy (ISP) and quickly launched a range of initiatives. By 1998, ISP had created a website, released its first educational video, and identified liaisons in social work programs across the country. These early efforts laid the foundation for a thriving network committed to integrating policy practice into social work education.
In the following years, ISP expanded through initiatives such as the State Policy Plus One Contest, which encouraged students to engage in hands-on advocacy efforts with legislators. The organization also developed a series of videos on legislative advocacy and coalition building, providing critical educational resources for social work programs. By the early 2000s, ISP had helped shape the 2001 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), which emphasized the importance of teaching policy practice skills—a milestone in reaffirming social work’s commitment to policy engagement.
Later that year, the group adopted the name Influencing State Policy (ISP) and quickly launched a range of initiatives. By 1998, ISP had created a website, released its first educational video, and identified liaisons in social work programs across the country. These early efforts laid the foundation for a thriving network committed to integrating policy practice into social work education.
In the following years, ISP expanded through initiatives such as the State Policy Plus One Contest, which encouraged students to engage in hands-on advocacy efforts with legislators. The organization also developed a series of videos on legislative advocacy and coalition building, providing critical educational resources for social work programs. By the early 2000s, ISP had helped shape the 2001 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), which emphasized the importance of teaching policy practice skills—a milestone in reaffirming social work’s commitment to policy engagement.
2006-2014
As ISP celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006, the organization had over 800 members, numerous student visits to state legislatures, and a series of
successful contests and conferences. That same year, Schneider retired, and Katharine V. Byers took over as President, leading ISP through a critical period of transition and growth. In 2014, ISP rebranded as Influencing Social Policy to reflect its broadened focus on policy at all levels—local, state, and national—while maintaining its core emphasis on advocacy and policy practice.
A significant accomplishment under Byers’ leadership was the revival of the Policy Conference, later known as Policy Conference 2.0. Although initially separate from ISP, the conference was relaunched through a collaboration between Byers, Sunny Harris Rome, Jessica Ritter, and Stacey Borasky. It began as an independent effort to bring together social work educators, practitioners, and researchers focused on policy practice. Over time, the conference became fully integrated into ISP, providing a national platform for discussing policy research, teaching innovations, and advocacy strategies. This expansion helped solidify ISP’s role as a key organization filling the gap in policy-focused macro social work.
successful contests and conferences. That same year, Schneider retired, and Katharine V. Byers took over as President, leading ISP through a critical period of transition and growth. In 2014, ISP rebranded as Influencing Social Policy to reflect its broadened focus on policy at all levels—local, state, and national—while maintaining its core emphasis on advocacy and policy practice.
A significant accomplishment under Byers’ leadership was the revival of the Policy Conference, later known as Policy Conference 2.0. Although initially separate from ISP, the conference was relaunched through a collaboration between Byers, Sunny Harris Rome, Jessica Ritter, and Stacey Borasky. It began as an independent effort to bring together social work educators, practitioners, and researchers focused on policy practice. Over time, the conference became fully integrated into ISP, providing a national platform for discussing policy research, teaching innovations, and advocacy strategies. This expansion helped solidify ISP’s role as a key organization filling the gap in policy-focused macro social work.
2015-2020
Under Sunny Harris Rome’s leadership (2015-2021), ISP underwent significant structural changes that solidified it as a formal organization with established
bylaws, committees, and a structured election process. During this period, ISP broadened its mission beyond state-level policy advocacy to encompass a wider array of policy domains. In 2015, ISP became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strengthening its ability to advance social policy through education,
advocacy, and research.
A major milestone in this era was ISP’s ability to secure funding from the New York Community Trust, which fueled an expansion of programming from
2016-2017. The organization launched webinars, an online policy practice certificate, and the Teaching Institute, enabling broader engagement with policy faculty across the country. During this time, ISP also developed a faculty research award, enhanced the student policy contest, and strengthened its
infrastructure with a redesigned website and membership engagement systems.
bylaws, committees, and a structured election process. During this period, ISP broadened its mission beyond state-level policy advocacy to encompass a wider array of policy domains. In 2015, ISP became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strengthening its ability to advance social policy through education,
advocacy, and research.
A major milestone in this era was ISP’s ability to secure funding from the New York Community Trust, which fueled an expansion of programming from
2016-2017. The organization launched webinars, an online policy practice certificate, and the Teaching Institute, enabling broader engagement with policy faculty across the country. During this time, ISP also developed a faculty research award, enhanced the student policy contest, and strengthened its
infrastructure with a redesigned website and membership engagement systems.
2021-2024
With Marian Harris serving as President for 2021, ISP navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted planned initiatives and required the organization to adapt its programming. Despite these challenges, ISP remained committed to its mission of advancing policy practice in social work education.
From 2021 to 2024, Pilar Horner led ISP through a period of strategic realignment. During her tenure, ISP deepened its commitment to macro social work
education, collaborating with the Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice, the Network for Social Work Management, and ACOSA to develop a Macro Curriculum Guide for dissemination by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This initiative underscored ISP’s role in shaping macro social work education and ensuring policy practice remained a core component of social work training.
Another significant milestone during this period was the transformation of Policy Conference 2.0 into the Macro United Conference in 2022. Founded by ISP and co-produced with leading macro social work organizations, Macro United became a premier national gathering for faculty specializing in macro social work, policy practice, research, and advancements in teaching. This evolution further cemented ISP’s role as a leader in shaping policy-focused
social work education.
Additionally, ISP strengthened its academic influence through its affiliation with the Journal of Policy Practice and Research, a key platform for publishing
research that informs social policy and fosters collaboration among social work educators and practitioners.
From 2021 to 2024, Pilar Horner led ISP through a period of strategic realignment. During her tenure, ISP deepened its commitment to macro social work
education, collaborating with the Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice, the Network for Social Work Management, and ACOSA to develop a Macro Curriculum Guide for dissemination by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This initiative underscored ISP’s role in shaping macro social work education and ensuring policy practice remained a core component of social work training.
Another significant milestone during this period was the transformation of Policy Conference 2.0 into the Macro United Conference in 2022. Founded by ISP and co-produced with leading macro social work organizations, Macro United became a premier national gathering for faculty specializing in macro social work, policy practice, research, and advancements in teaching. This evolution further cemented ISP’s role as a leader in shaping policy-focused
social work education.
Additionally, ISP strengthened its academic influence through its affiliation with the Journal of Policy Practice and Research, a key platform for publishing
research that informs social policy and fosters collaboration among social work educators and practitioners.
2025-Present
As of January 2025, Gary Parker serves as the President of ISP, ushering in a new phase of leadership focused on strengthening membership engagement,
expanding educational offerings, and securing financial sustainability. Under his leadership, ISP is committed to enhancing its infrastructure, fostering new partnerships, and continuing its legacy of equipping social workers with the knowledge and skills to influence policy at all levels. With a history of innovation, advocacy, and education, ISP remains a vital force in shaping the future of policy practice within social work. As it continues to evolve, ISP upholds its founding mission: to ensure that social workers are empowered to engage in policy advocacy, research, and education to advance social justice and equity in communities nationwide.
expanding educational offerings, and securing financial sustainability. Under his leadership, ISP is committed to enhancing its infrastructure, fostering new partnerships, and continuing its legacy of equipping social workers with the knowledge and skills to influence policy at all levels. With a history of innovation, advocacy, and education, ISP remains a vital force in shaping the future of policy practice within social work. As it continues to evolve, ISP upholds its founding mission: to ensure that social workers are empowered to engage in policy advocacy, research, and education to advance social justice and equity in communities nationwide.