Assignment: Policy Analysis
This assignment builds on the previous components of this research project, where you identified a social problem and selected a federal policy that affects it.
Once social workers have located a policy that addresses a social problem, the next step is to analyze the policy's development and potential impacts. In other words, does the policy resolve or mitigate the issue? Looking at China's one-child policy, you would want to know whether it is indeed reducing fertility rates. Next, you would want to know if the policy has any unintended consequences that need to also need to be addressed. For example, China's one-child policy has led to significant labor shortages in the country.
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following EPAs and practice behaviors:
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
o C5.GP.A: Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social service.
- Related Assignment Criterion:
- 1. Analyze the development of the chosen policy.
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
o C5.GP.B: Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.
- Related Assignment Criteria:
- 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy with respect to the target population.
- 3. Evaluate the feasibility of the policy.
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
o C5.GP.C: Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Related Assignment Criterion:
- 4. Identify the policy constraints that inhibit the policy from fully addressing the problem for the chosen population.
Assignment Description
In this assignment, you will analyze the federal policy you chose to address your social justice issue, including providing background of the development of the policy and evaluating its effectiveness and feasibility. Remember that the feasibility of a policy relates not only to its economic feasibility, but also to its political and social impact. You will also identify the policy constraints that inhibit the policy from most effectively reaching your targeted population.
Continue to consult Congress.gov, the Government Accountability Office, public policy analysis research and reports, and other peer-reviewed research to support your analysis. Also, use your Social Work Speaks Policy textbook and the "NASW Code of Ethics" website to guide your analysis.
Assignment Instructions
For this assignment:
1. Analyze the development of your chosen federal policy.
o Analyze the historical background that led to the development of the policy.
o Define the goals of the policy and how these goals are intended to be met, including services and programs intended to achieve the goals.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy with respect to the target population.
o Consider how well the policy has met the needs of your target population and to what extent it improves the social justice problem you initially researched. Does the policy seem to ignore, impede, or strengthen the social functioning of the target population?
o To what extent does the policy meet or improve the social values of the target population?
o To what extent does the policy adhere to best practice ethics and best practice standards?
o If the outcome of your analysis is that best practice ethics and standards are not being adhered to, include that information in your analysis as well.
3. Evaluate the feasibility of the policy.
o Is the policy politically, economically, and administratively feasible? Provide details and rationale.
4. Identify the policy constraints that inhibit the policy from fully addressing the problem for the chosen population. Have other constraints arisen since the passage of the policy that have made conditions worse or better for the chosen population?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.