Policy Proposal And Advocacy Project ✓ Solved

Policy Proposal/Advocacy Project

Policy Proposal/Advocacy Project – Learning outcome 1: Identify how human service administrators can effectively advocate for their clients and their agency and why this is necessary. Learning outcome 2: Determine appropriate action steps to create a policy proposal. Learning outcome 6: Create a policy/advocacy project addressing the cost effectiveness and efficacy for a chosen population.

Imagine you are an agency director faced with potential threats to your organization. You may utilize the human service issues from your research paper as the problem basis. Utilize the six-step policy analysis framework, determine the steps necessary to address the identified human service issue. Identify the stakeholders and why they are essential to the policy development process. Create the mission statement. Discuss types of services/programs funding. Discuss presenting and defending strategies.

Paper For Above Instructions

The advocacy project outlined here focuses on the significant issue of children in foster care and proposes a policy that not only addresses this challenge but also enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall system. The chosen policy for this proposal is the “Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012,” which aims to improve the adoption process by ensuring that U.S. families and children in need of homes are adequately served through accredited providers.

Introduction

Foster care systems across the United States are under immense pressure, with rising numbers of children remaining in care for extended periods. These extended stays often lead to negative outcomes for the children involved, including emotional and psychological issues. The current proposals aim to streamline the adoption process and promote the well-being of children through better policy practices.

Identifying the Problem

The United States has seen a significant increase in the number of children in foster care, leading to overcrowded systems and stretched resources. Many children remain in care longer than necessary, which can impact their emotional and social development. Current data, including statistics from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), highlight that around 400,000 children are currently in foster care, with many experiencing adverse effects due to prolonged separation from their families.

Proposed Policy: Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act (UAA)

The "Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act" was implemented to ensure that all intercountry adoptions are governed by the same standards regardless of the country of origin. This policy emphasizes the need to protect children from fraud and abuse during the adoption process and ensures that families are provided with all necessary information to make informed decisions.

Policy Goals

The primary goal of the UAA is to provide a uniform set of standards that will increase the safety and security of adoptions. By ensuring that all adoption service providers are accredited, the UAA aims to maintain ethical practices that benefit both the child and the adopting family. Additional goals include increasing the adoption rates among children in foster care and decreasing the length of stay in these systems.

Stakeholders and Their Importance

Identifying stakeholders is crucial for the development and implementation of any effective policy. The main stakeholders involved in this policy include:

• Adoptive Families: They will benefit from a more straightforward and transparent adoption process.
• Children in Foster Care: The primary beneficiaries of the policy who are seeking permanent homes.
• Child Welfare Agencies: They play a critical role in facilitating the adoption process and ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
• Policy Makers: Their support is essential for legislative backing to implement these changes effectively.

Implementation Steps

The implementation of the UAA policy should follow a structured approach based on a six-step policy analysis framework: identifying the problem, gathering data, drafting the proposal, obtaining stakeholder input, finalizing the policy, and then implementing it.

Resources and Funding

To fund this initiative, a collaboration between state governments, private organizations, and agencies would be essential. Possible funding sources include federal child welfare funding, grants from charitable organizations, and community fundraising efforts. Accountability to these funds should be maintained through regular audits and reporting.

Presenting and Defending the Policy

Once the policy is developed, it will be crucial to present it to stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and the public. Strategies for effectively communicating the need for this policy could include public forums, informational sessions, and leveraging social media platforms to highlight the benefits and successes of such adoptions. This will not only garner support but also ensure transparency and encourage participation in the advocacy efforts.

Conclusion

By implementing the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act systematically, there is potential for profound impacts on children currently in foster care. The UAA not only addresses the immediate needs of children seeking homes but also fosters a culture of ethical adoption practices that protect all parties involved. Advocacy for this policy is crucial as it aligns with the ethical responsibility of human service administrators to safeguard vulnerable populations.

References

• Berger, L. M., Cancian, M., Han, E., Noyes, J., & Rios-Salas, V. (2015). Children's academic achievement and foster care. Pediatrics, 135(1), e109-e116.
• Brown, T. W., & Roby, J. (2016). Exploitation of Intercountry Adoption: Toward Common Understanding and Action. Adoption Quarterly, 19(2), 63-80.
• Dworsky, A. (2015). Child welfare services involvement among the children of young parents in foster care. Child abuse & neglect, 45, 68-79.
• Engel, M. H., Phillips, N. K., & Della Cava, F. A. (2015). Inter-Country Adoption of Children Born in the United States. Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics, 1(1), 1.
• Farrer, L., Marinetti, C., Cavaco, Y. K., & Costongs, C. (2015). Advocacy for health equity: a synthesis review. The Milbank Quarterly, 93(2).
• Fong, R., & McRoy, R. G. (Eds.). (2016). Transracial and intercountry adoptions: Cultural guidance for professionals. Columbia University Press.
• Hanson, R. F., & Lang, J. (2016). A critical look at trauma-informed care among agencies and systems serving maltreated youth and their families. Child Maltreatment, 21(2), 95-100.
• Head, B. W., & Alford, J. (2015). Wicked problems: Implications for public policy and management. Administration & Society, 47(6).
• Seltzer, R. R., Johnson, S., Boss, R., & Minkovitz, C. (2018). Foster Care for Children with Medical Complexity: Rarely a Short-term Solution.