A social worker who contacts a community mental health center on behalf of a client, provides the client's relevant information (with consent), and schedules an intake appointment is performing a:

Warm referral. A warm referral involves the social worker directly contacting the service provider on behalf of the client, sharing relevant information (with the client's consent), and facilitating the connection. This is contrasted with a cold referral, where the social worker simply provides the client with contact information to follow up independently.

A social worker testifies before a state legislative committee about the need for increased funding for community mental health services. This is an example of:

Policy (cause) advocacy. Testifying before a legislative committee to influence policy is an example of policy (cause) advocacy. This level of advocacy focuses on changing laws, regulations, and policies at the local, state, or national level to benefit larger populations. It differs from individual advocacy (for a specific client) and organizational advocacy (within an organization).

Which of the following is the MOST important principle of effective advocacy in social work?

Advocacy should be done with the client's consent and empowerment, advocating with rather than just for them. Effective social work advocacy requires the client's consent and focuses on empowerment — advocating WITH the client rather than just FOR them. This respects the client's right to self-determination and builds their capacity to advocate for themselves over time.

3.4 Case Management and Advocacy | ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam | Free Exam Prep

Key Takeaways

Case management involves assessing client needs, developing service plans, coordinating care, linking to resources, and monitoring progress
Brokering and linking connect clients with community resources such as housing, food, healthcare, and employment services
Advocacy occurs at multiple levels: individual (case advocacy), organizational, community, and policy (cause advocacy)
Interdisciplinary collaboration involves working with professionals from other disciplines to provide comprehensive care
Care coordination ensures that multiple providers are working together toward shared goals and avoiding duplication of services
Discharge planning from one level of care to another requires careful attention to continuity and follow-up
Social workers should be familiar with major community resources and eligibility requirements

Case Management and Advocacy

Case management is one of the foundational functions of social work practice. It involves a systematic process of assessing client needs, planning services, linking clients to resources, coordinating care, monitoring progress, and advocating for clients at multiple levels. The ASWB exam tests your knowledge of case management models, advocacy strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Case Management Process

Case management follows a structured, cyclical process:

Step	Description	Key Activities
1. Engagement	Establishing rapport and building a working relationship	Introduction, orientation, building trust
2. Assessment	Identifying client needs, strengths, and resources	Biopsychosocial assessment, needs assessment
3. Planning	Developing a service plan with the client	Setting goals, identifying services, prioritizing needs
4. Implementation	Connecting the client with services and resources	Referrals, linkage, brokering, coordination
5. Monitoring	Tracking progress and service delivery	Regular check-ins, reassessment, adjusting the plan
6. Evaluation	Assessing outcomes and determining next steps	Measuring goal achievement, client satisfaction
7. Termination	Ending the case management relationship	Transition planning, follow-up, closure

Brokering and Linking Services

Brokering is the process of connecting clients with appropriate community resources. The social worker acts as an intermediary, matching client needs with available services. Key brokering activities include:

Resource identification: Maintaining knowledge of community resources, eligibility requirements, and application processes
Referral: Providing the client with information and facilitating contact with service providers
Warm referral vs. cold referral: A warm referral involves the social worker directly contacting the provider on behalf of the client; a cold referral provides the client with information to make their own contact
Follow-up: Checking that the client successfully connected with the referred service

Common community resources include:

Housing assistance (shelters, Section 8, transitional housing)
Food security (food banks, SNAP/food stamps, WIC)
Healthcare (community health centers, Medicaid, sliding-scale clinics)
Mental health services (community mental health centers, crisis lines)
Substance use treatment (detox, outpatient, residential programs)
Employment services (vocational rehabilitation, job training)
Legal services (legal aid, immigration legal services)
Financial assistance (TANF, SSI/SSDI, emergency funds)
Domestic violence services (hotlines, shelters, safety planning)
Child care and family support services

Advocacy

Social work advocacy is the act of speaking up, taking action, and promoting change on behalf of individuals, groups, or communities. Advocacy is a core social work value and occurs at multiple levels:

Individual (Case) Advocacy:

Advocating for a specific client's needs and rights
Examples: Helping a client appeal a denied insurance claim, advocating for a student's IEP accommodations, ensuring a hospitalized patient's wishes are respected
Requires the client's consent and empowerment (advocating with, not just for)

Organizational Advocacy:

Working to change policies, practices, or culture within organizations
Examples: Advocating for culturally responsive intake forms, requesting interpreter services, promoting trauma-informed practices

Community Advocacy:

Mobilizing communities to address shared needs and concerns
Examples: Organizing a community meeting about food deserts, building coalitions to address housing insecurity, leading community education campaigns

Policy (Cause) Advocacy:

Working to change laws, regulations, and policies at the local, state, or national level
Examples: Lobbying for increased mental health funding, testifying before legislative committees, organizing voter registration drives

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Clinical social workers frequently collaborate with professionals from other disciplines, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, substance use counselors, and educators. Effective interdisciplinary collaboration requires:

Clear role definition: Each team member understands their scope of practice and contributions
Shared goals: The team agrees on treatment objectives and priorities
Open communication: Regular team meetings, shared documentation, and clear communication channels
Mutual respect: Valuing each profession's expertise and perspective
Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements professionally and collaboratively
Client involvement: Including the client in treatment team meetings and decisions when appropriate

Care Coordination

Care coordination ensures that multiple providers are working together seamlessly to deliver comprehensive services:

Avoiding duplication: Ensuring services are not redundant or contradictory
Information sharing: With appropriate consent, sharing relevant clinical information between providers
Treatment team meetings: Regular multidisciplinary meetings to review progress and adjust plans
Transition management: Coordinating smooth transitions between levels of care (e.g., inpatient to outpatient)
Cultural brokering: Helping clients navigate healthcare systems that may not be culturally responsive

ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam

1Introduction: ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam Overview

2Chapter 1: Human Development, Diversity & Behavior in the Environment

3Chapter 2: Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

4Chapter 3: Psychotherapy, Clinical Interventions & Case Management

5Chapter 4: Professional Values & Ethics

6Chapter 5: Social Work Practice Across Settings