Instructions:
The goal of this project is to understand a social welfare policy that impacts our client populations, and how it does so. This policy should be something being discussed right now, that would be relevant to your legislators at this time. It could be a proposed policy, a recently implemented policy that still needs attention, or a policy that you’d like to see terminated.
Social welfare policy can be analyzed using several methods, but for the purposes of this assignment, we’ll be applying the Critical Model for Social Welfare Policy Analysis.
Analysis
Your research paper should include an explanation for each of the following criteria. Use Box 4.3 in your text (pg. 100), to assist you in providing detail.
What is the problem that prompts a policy solution?
Where is the power imbalance, or struggle?
What is the public reaction? Make sure to address opposing viewpoints
What are the objectives of the policy?
How will the policy be implemented?
What is the intended impact?
Who are the impacted populations?
Social Work Roles
You will need to write about the roles a social worker might have in implementing this policy:
What ways might a social worker encounter this policy at a micro and macro level?
What ethical issues or values dilemmas that might occur for the social workers with regard to this policy. Be sure to reference specific NASW Ethical Standards.
Reflection
As a social worker, what changes would you make to this policy in order to better serve the population it affects? Be specific. Don’t make blanket statements like, “I would work to improve this policy because it needs to be improved…”
Letter to Legislator
Please complete a legislative letter, following one of the below example formats, or other suitable format presented in class or researched on your own. Your letter should be written to your district senator and/or representative. Make sure that you are writing to your district representation, not your federal representation.
Introduction of self as a constituent – Make sure that your senator and/or representative know that you are a voter in their district.
Request – You should be requesting a change to existing policy, a vote for or against a proposed policy, or a new policy.
Anecdote – To create a lasting impression and emotional connection for your senator and/or representative, share why you’re passionate about this issue and legislation. This can be personal, or something universal, but it should evoke an emotional response.
Backup Research – Ensure you back up your statements and opinions with fact. Use at least one outside source to provide substance to your letter. This source should be objective and factual. You should cite your source in-text, not in an attached reference page. For instance, you could say, “According to the Centers for Disease Control, … (2016).
Reiterate Request – Make sure it’s clear what you want your legislators to do in order to address this issue.
Express Gratitude – Thank your legislator for their time in addressing this issue.
Signature – Don’t forget to sign and include your return address.
Writing Guidelines
Be sure to follow the writing guidelines outlined in your Course Overview and refer to the rubric associated with this assignment.
Social Policy Analysis
Your research should be addressing a relevant social welfare policy, not an issue.
Your paper should include information from at least five outside resources, no longer than ten years old. These might include your textbook, a government website, a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal, a documentary, etc. No use of Wikipedia or similar sources will be counted.
Your sources should be cited in APA format, both in-text and on a reference slide.
You should avoid the use of the first person in your writing.
Your paper should be approximately 4-5 pages in length.
Legislative Letter
Your letter should follow one of the example templates, or other appropriate template.
The focus of your letter should be a relevant legislative topic and should relate in some way to your Policy Analysis.
Your letter should be addressed to either your district senator or representative, or both if you choose to send two letters.
Your letter should include all required components above and be free of any inflammatory language.
Your letter should be approximately one single-spaced page.
Course Outcomes Met:
Demonstrate knowledge of the history and development of Social Welfare and Social Services in the US.
Demonstrate knowledge of the fields of practice and populations served in social services.
Identify and discuss forms and mechanisms of poverty, oppression, and discrimination and how these impact social services.
Demonstrate an understanding of human diversity issues in the development of social services with an emphasis on empowering at-risk and vulnerable populations.
Identify the role of current federal and state social policy in the delivery of social services.
Identify the financial, organizational, and administrative structures that influence the delivery of social services.
Program Outcomes Met:
Demonstrate the ability to critically think and solve problems using guided discussion, research, and class participation.
Engage in policy practice to advance social responsibility and ethic of service.
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