Homework: Social Welfare Policy Analysis Paper
Length: 10 pages.
Identify a federal or state policy/program that has either been proposed or already exists. Complete a policy/program analysis using a policy analysis model that has been discussed in class.
- The social issue that it addresses that is your primary concern.
In completing this paper, you should identify not only the policy, but include a brief discussion of the process related to the policy, i.e. when the policy was introduced? What was the political and social context within which it arose? What social problem was it intended to address? In other words, answer all questions put forth in your chosen analysis model.
Examples of policies that may be analyzed include the following:
The Amended Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008
The Immigration Act of 1990
The Affordable Care Act of 2010
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
The Patriot Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001
BE CERTAIN TO USE THE HEADINGS BELOW. The policy paper should include the following components.
1. Title Page, name of your analysis, your name, and institutional affiliation.
2. Nature of the Problem. What is the nature of the problem? How is it defined? Who defined it as a problem?
3. History and current status of policy, previous efforts that have been made to solve the problem and reasons the problem still exists. What earlier policies dealt with the problem?
4. Population Affected by Policy - What is the population affected by the policy?
5. What is the size of the population? Characteristics which define the population?
6. Social Values - What social values are related to the problem? Are there any value conflicts?
7. Goals of Policy - What are the goals of the policy, both stated and implied?
8. Public Perception - This section will discuss how any stakeholders, voting public, the press, and legislators may feel about the issue. You should identify groups that would support or oppose a policy. Summarize competing views represented by the opposing side.
9. Delivery System - How will policy be carried out? Who will provide what services? What are eligibility rules? What are its benefits?
10. Alternative Solutions - What alternatives are there to solve problems identified?
11. Cost Effectiveness and Outcomes - How cost effective is the policy? How is it funded? Does it meet its goals? Does it address the social problem that it is intended to address? What are its intended consequences? Who will bear the brunt of the program's costs?
12. Potential Effects - Explain any unintended consequences and ways they can be solved.
13. Strengths and Weaknesses of Policy - Discuss what you believe are the strengths and weaknesses of policy. For example, what is its impact on people of color, the elderly, poor, women, children, gays and lesbians, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups? In what ways would you change the policy or program to meet its goals, to address the social problem and to better achieve social justice?
14. Summary - Include a brief sentence or two from each section.
15. References.
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.