Identifying and explaining social problems

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Identifying and explaining social problems

Policy Analysis Final Project Part A & B (40 Points)

Students will write a 13 to 15-page paper. The paper must address a social problem and be social policy analysis focused. Specifically, you should highlight issues that are of concern directly or indirectly to children and families. Students should address the following two areas and then make an integration of both into a final paper. You will have peer reviewed feedback at each stage.

Part A: Identifying and explaining social problems

Identify a social problem. Explain the criteria you used to define this as a social problem—how do you know it is a social problem, not private issue. What are the values laden in the definition of this social problem?

  1. Using an ecological framework, offer explanations about why and how come this problem exists. Be thorough. Particular emphasis should be placed on issues of discrimination, oppression, marginalization of diverse groups such as people of color, low socio-economic status or class, migrant workers, etc. In doing this, make sure that you don’t oversimplify the problems—an ecological perspective explains social problems by integrating all levels in the framework. This is not simply descriptive, you must offer explanations on Why? How come? Why not? In what ways?
  2. Discuss the concept of “worthy and “unworthy” as related to the general public, availability of services, cost/benefits, etc. Who defines who is worthy or unworthy? What criteria have you identified to determine worthiness? For example, how do you know that a group is considered “worthy” or “unworthy?” (Social workers do not consider any human being “unworthy,” nonetheless we don’t meet the needs of groups of individuals. Given this, how are these groups considered “worthy?”)

Requirements for Part A & B:

  • Body of paper) should be in 12 point, double-spaced font (must have a federal or state statutory or judicial basis).
  • Specify the model of analysis to be utilized (Attach the policy analysis model only if not one provided in course readings). Regardless of the model selected for the analysis, the policy analysis should include background, problem, underpinning values, unintended consequences, alternatives and recommendations for the policy
  • Selected topics from the list below, or alternative policies of comparable scope must be submitted in writing six weeks before the paper’s due date and require prior approval of the instructor.
  • A minimum 12 sources (combined Part A & B) are required (excluding the textbook and course resources). Acceptable sources include social work or related fields’ journals, scholarly periodicals, statutes, legislative histories and committee hearings/reports. Citations and reference list must be in APA format, and reference list and policy model are not included in the page limit.

Examples of Policies for Analysis:

  • Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
  • Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
  • Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 or as Amended, 1996
  • Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974
  • The Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
  • Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
  • Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Family Preservation and Support)
  • Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994
  • The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
  • Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act
  • Child Support Enforcement and Incentive Act
  • The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • National School Lunch Program
  • Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-169) and the Educational Training Voucher Provisions
  • Keeping Children and Families Safe Act
  • Adoption Opportunities Program (Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, P.L.108-36).
  • Protect Act (Amber Alert System)
  • Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act (FCSIA) of 2008

For more policy topics refer to the textbook and readings

Addresses competencies 3, 5, 8, and 9.