Project Part 1: Identification Of A Social Problem And Iden ✓ Solved

Project: Part 1: Identification of a Social Problem and Iden

Project: Part 1: Identification of a Social Problem and Identification of a Policy

As an astute social worker and professional policy advocate, you must be adept at identifying social problems that exist in your community or in an agency or organization with which you are acquainted. Once you have selected a social problem, you begin the process of creating and implementing a policy that addresses that social problem.

In this assignment, you identify and describe a current social problem. You also identify a policy created and implemented to address the problem. This is the first part of your Social Change Project final assignment. Complete Part 1 of your Social Change Project. Address the following items in a 3-4 page paper:

- Describe a current social problem.

- How might this problem be incongruent with social work values/ethics?

- How/when has this problem been identified historically, and what were the actions taken to address this concern?

- How have the groups affected by this concern changed over time?

- Describe the policy area related to this social problem.

- Is the policy identified by your group dictated by local, state, or federal statute—or a combination thereof?

- What are the different aspects of the policy?

- How long has the current policy been in place?

- Who supports and who opposes the policy?

- What changes/amendments have been made to the policy?

- Explain how this policy affects clients you might see in a clinical setting and why, as a clinical social worker, it would be important to advocate for change.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

The social problem I identify is the underutilization and uneven access to evidence-based mental health care for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This problem persists despite the existence of well-established treatments and policy mechanisms intended to ensure veterans receive timely, high-quality care. Barriers include stigma around mental health, geographic and transportation constraints, wait times, fragmented care coordination, and insurance or funding gaps that impede access to evidence-based treatments (National Center for PTSD, n.d.; NIMH, 2023). The ethical imperative for social workers to promote social justice, reduce barriers to access, and advocate for services aligns with addressing these barriers (APA, 2013).

Problem Description and Ethical Alignment

A key social problem is that many veterans with PTSD do not receive timely, appropriate treatment. Stigma, rural residence, and limitations in health-care coverage or care coordination contribute to underutilization of evidence-based therapies such as cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure therapy (NIMH, 2023; National Center for PTSD, n.d.). This gap is inconsistent with core social work values: beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for client autonomy, and social justice, which require addressing systemic barriers to care and advocating for access to appropriate services (APA, 2013). Social workers in military and veteran communities must work to facilitate engagement, reduce stigma, and connect clients to comprehensive care that addresses comorbidities and family functioning (Jansson, 2018).

Historical Identification and Actions Taken

Historically, PTSD-related concerns have evolved from the broader recognition of combat-related distress to a formal diagnosis in late 20th century, reflected in DSM-III (1980) and subsequent editions (APA, 2013). The medical and policy communities have progressively emphasized evidence-based treatments and integrated care for veterans, supported by organized VA programs and federal legislation aimed at expanding access, coverage, and quality of care (NIMH, 2023; Midgley & Livermore, 2008). Over time, actions included increased funding for veteran mental health services, dissemination of clinical guidelines, and the expansion of telehealth and community-based options to reduce barriers for rural veterans (VA/DoD PTSD Guideline; VA policies).

Groups Affected and Changes Over Time

The primary affected group is veterans with PTSD, including those returning from recent conflicts and their families. Historically, the demographic profile of veterans seeking care has shifted with changing conflict eras, but barriers to care—stigma, access, and affordability—remain persistent for many (NIMH, 2023). Families often experience strain when PTSD impairs functioning, communication, and involvement in parenting and caregiving. Policy responses have sought to expand access to care, integrate family services, and promote parity between mental health and physical health coverage, though gaps persist in rural areas and among underrepresented groups (SAMHSA, 2021; VA MISSION Act).

Policy Area Related to the Social Problem

The policy area centers on veterans' mental health care access, financing, and delivery within the U.S. health system, including VA health care policies, private insurance parity, and related federal statutes (e.g., MISSION Act). It encompasses eligibility, funding, service delivery models, confidentiality, and family involvement in care (Midgley & Livermore, 2008; Jansson, 2018).

Statutory Basis: Local, State, or Federal

The policy landscape includes a combination of federal statutes and federal program frameworks with some state-level implementation and adaptation. Federal statutes govern the structure and funding of VA health care and related programs, while state-level agencies and Medicaid/MediCal or private insurers influence access to services outside the VA system. Instances include federal legislation shaping the Veterans Health Care system and programs like the VA MISSION Act (Public Law 115-182) and telehealth expansion, alongside state policy decisions on coverage and access (U.S. Congress, 2018).

Aspects and Duration of the Policy

Key aspects include eligibility for VA services, funding levels for mental health programs, availability of evidence-based treatments, care coordination, and family involvement policies. The current framework has evolved over decades, with major changes such as expanded access through the Veterans Choice Program and the MISSION Act, as well as ongoing emphasis on parity and access (VA MISSION Act; VA/DoD PTSD guidelines; RAND analyses on access) (Congress, 2018; National Center for PTSD, n.d.).

Supporters, Opponents, and Amendments

Supporters include veterans’ advocacy groups, clinical social workers, and many healthcare providers who seek timely, evidence-based care. Opponents often include policymakers and stakeholders concerned about costs or program integrity, though most amendments aim to improve access and quality rather than reduce services. Notable amendments have focused on expanding telehealth, streamlining access through private providers, and enhancing caregiver support (Midgley & Livermore, 2008; Jansson, 2018; Congress, 2018).

Implications for Clients in a Clinical Setting and Advocacy Rationale

For clients in clinical settings, policy dictates access to services, timeliness of care, and the integration of family and community supports. As social workers, advocating for policy change is essential to reduce barriers to evidence-based PTSD treatments, promote culturally competent care for diverse veterans, and ensure sustainable, equitable access to care across urban and rural settings (APA, 2013; National Center for PTSD, n.d.; NIMH, 2023). Advocacy might include improving care coordination, expanding insurance parity, and supporting trauma-informed, family-inclusive approaches (Jansson, 2018; Midgley & Livermore, 2008).

Conclusion

Addressing the identified social problem requires a multi-level strategy that combines direct clinical interventions with policy advocacy to reduce barriers to care and improve outcomes for veterans with PTSD and their families. Through informed social work practice and principled advocacy, progress toward equitable access and high-quality care can be advanced, aligning practice with core social work values and ethics.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). PTSD: Overview. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs & Department of Defense. (2010). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of PTSD. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Veterans Mental Health. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• World Health Organization. (2013). Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. Geneva: World Health Organization.
• Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• Midgley, J., & Livermore, M. M. (Eds.). (2008). The Handbook of Social Policy (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• U.S. Congress. (2018). VA MISSION Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-182. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). The Promise of Trauma-Informed Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.