SOCIAL WORK POLICY BRIEF

POLICY FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA)

POLICY BRIEF GUIDELINES

You will write a policy brief related to the legislation you selected for your interest in the course. The policy brief should be factual,
evidence-based, and clearly articulate a position on the issue. It should be short and to the point but provide enough information so the
reader can understand the issue and come to a decision.

What is a Policy Brief?
A policy brief is a commonly used tool for advocacy that presents a course of action or policy-making. It communicates information to
provide a concise summary of a specific issue, with policy options and recommendations. The policy brief is aimed at government
policymakers or others involved in formulating or influencing policy.

Goal of Policy Brief
The goal of your policy brief is to persuade a decision maker to address a specific issue and implement the policy that you have devised. The brief should convince the reader that the problem is urgent and stimulate reader to make a decision.

Elements/Structure of a Policy Brief
Aim to strike a balance between a convincing problem description to highlight relevance of the topic and a strong analytical section that
explains options and recommendations. A policy brief is practical and action- oriented. For the purpose of this assignment, the elements
of your Policy Brief must include a minimum of 4 out of the following elements (or if not, explain why some elements were not relevant):

Historical Analysis/Background – describe historical background, when policy originated, how changed, legislative history of policy
Description of Problem – how widespread, who and numbers of people affected, causes of problem

Policy Description – how intended to work, resources, who will administer/fund policy, how determined if effective, who oversees/
evaluates, what is knowledge base

Policy Analysis – analyze the policy as relevant (goals, political feasibility, economic feasibility, administrative feasibility). May also
address ethical and practice related issues

Policy Recommendations – Present measured and balanced consideration of the possible solutions, why are they viable? Propose
arguments in favor or opposed to policy. Describe some proposed advocacy efforts and agenda for changes

Other Requirements:

 Provide Evidence of Reputable Sources & References. Provide evidence of resources from multiple
reputable sources and a list of 5 full references (this can include the 3 Article Reviews). Properly cite all
sources in main text and reference list using the APA citation style

 Length – The brief should range from 1700 – 2000 words long (not including list of sources consulted or
references)

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