Homework: Social Welfare Policy Analysis
The homework for this course integrates your understanding of current U.S. social welfare policies and programs with a historical perspective. The purpose of this Social Welfare Policy Analysis is for you to culminate the learning achieved in the course by giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to historically analyze a social issue of your choosing and construct recommendations that are grounded in research and supported by facts.
For this homework, you will take on the role of a human services advocate. You will analyze a current social welfare policy issue of your choice with a critical eye, assessing its impact on marginalized individuals and groups and evaluating how the concepts of "deserving" and "undeserving" poor may have affected the policy's implementation. Finally, propose a solution to address the issue in question.
Choose a Topic
First, choose one topic that you would like to research from the topics listed below (or choose another topic of interest that you would like to pursue with instructor approval). Examples of legislation are included to help you focus your research.
1. Disability topics: Inclusion, equal rights, employment, education
• Examples of legislation: ADA, Ryan White, mental health parity, IDEA
2. Criminal justice - Adult topics: Racial profiling and disproportionalities, criminalization of mental illness and/or homelessness, hate crimes, war on drugs
• Examples of legislation: Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994), Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009), syringe exchange policies
3. Criminal justice - Youth topics: School violence, juvenile sentencing policies
• Examples of legislation: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (2001)
4. Family violence and child welfare topics: Child abuse (physical, sexual) and neglect; partner violence; adoption for GLBTQ families; inter-ethnic adoptions
• Examples of legislation: Adoption and Safe Families Act, sex offender registry laws, Indian Child Welfare Act
5. Violence against women topics: Sexual assault, sexual harassment, spousal abuse, threats of violence
• Examples of legislation: Violence Against Women Act (part of Crime Control Act above), the Clery Act, Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SAVE) Act
6. Reproductive rights and health topics: Abortion, parental consent, sex education
• Examples of legislation: Abstinence-only education, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provisions regarding teen parents
7. Sexual orientation topics: Rights in the military, hate crimes, employment discrimination, housing discrimination
• Example of legislation: The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
8. Immigration topics: Migrant worker policies, health care, education, citizenship, criminalization, amnesty
• Examples of legislation: DREAM Act, amnesty/refugee resettlement legislation
Research an Issue
Next you will narrow your topic down to a specific issue-one that you find particularly interesting. For example: if your topic is criminalization of mental illness and/or homelessness, one issue might be reducing homelessness for military veterans. (Note: Please do not use this issue for your paper.)
Based on your chosen social issue, research the elements listed below under Write Your Research Paper. Conduct your research using a range of sources, including books, articles from scholarly journals, and/or other credible resources, viewing previous policy analyses, government reports, legislative materials (Westlaw Database via the Journal Articles button in the Ashford University Library homepage), news articles (Click on the Newspapers button on the Ashford University Library homepage), etc. Consider watching the Keywords are Critical video in the Ashford University Library for more information on productively searching the Ashford University Library databases. It is recommended that you take notes in which you summarize the results of prior policy efforts and identify the development of major stakeholders (the individuals and groups likely to affect or be affected by new policies taken in response to your issue).
Write Your Research Paper
Based on your research, please address the four elements listed below in your Social Welfare Policy Analysis:
I. Summarize the issue you wish to research and analyze. You must
1. Analyze the specific issue you've identified and articulate why it is important.
2. Identify groups that are marginalized in our culture who this proposal will assist.
3. Differentiate how the population involved might be considered "deserving" or "undeserving" of assistance.
4. Identify the values and beliefs associated with your issue. (Review Chapter 1 for a discussion on the various ways that values and beliefs influence social policy.)
II. Explain the issue in historical context. You must
1. Describe the historical events that shaped the development of social welfare policies and programs related to the issue.
2. Detail any services provided by the social welfare policies and programs that attempted to address the issue.
• An example of historical context for the issue of reducing homelessness for military veterans might be a discussion of the G.I. Bill and how it affected returning WWII veterans and their families by providing affordable housing for military veterans and increased funding of the Veterans Administration.
III. Propose options, based on your stated values, which might be chosen to address your issue. Be sure the options involve substantive policy measures that reflect past policy actions. You must
1. Analyze how the marginalized will be assisted.
2. Identify the stakeholders who would implement your proposed options.
• An example of a proposed option for the issue of reducing homelessness for military veterans might be suggesting one or more state propositions that target homeless veteran populations.
IV. Provide a rationale, supported by your facts and evidence, as to why each of your options would effectively address the issue. You must
1. Assess how your options reflect the larger social forces that have shaped your issue.
2. Explain how your options are effective next steps based on past policy decisions.
• An example of a rationale for the proposed option of "introducing one or more state propositions that target homeless veteran populations" might be: In the past, propositions have worked well to help homeless veterans. For example, California Proposition 41, the Veterans Housing and homeless Prevention Bond, was approved by voters in 2014. It shifted funds from going into a general pool to specifically targeting the funds for multifamily housing. This legislative act recognized the need to move entire families from living on the streets to subsidized multi-family housing.
(Based on: Hall, S. (2014) How to do a policy analysis paper.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
1. The answer must be double spaced, typed, 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 homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.