Provide A Discussion Post Response To Colleagues By Offering

Provide A Discussion Post Responseto Colleagues By Offering Your Thoug

Provide a discussion post response to colleagues by offering your thoughts on how multiple factors contribute to the failure of people to implement specific policies. In your opinion, do you think frontline social workers are perceived as people who cause specific policies to not be implemented? Danielle Steinway Discussion - Week 10 COLLAPSE Top of Form Post your thoughts on whether social workers might try to undermine the implementation of specific policies. I believe social workers may try to undermine the implementation of specific policies but only for the reason of their duty to protect the well-being of their client. Jansson (2018) states that policy advocates do not violate existing policy but take advantage of ambiguities in it that do allow for exceptions.

A social worker may have to modify their personal values to be in accordance with an agency’s policy practices. Also, a social worker may feel as though they need to make a decision between prioritizing the agency’s policies and the support necessary for their client. What ethical issues might they confront? Some examples include: 1) a client requesting an abortion, which the social worker personally opposes, yet they must refer the client to an abortion clinic; 2) a client confiding in abuse but the social worker, as mandated reporter, must report the abuse despite the client’s wishes; 3) denying a mother daycare assistance because she is in graduate school and not undergraduate, which conflicts with supporting her needs.

Discuss how social workers can implement policies that they feel may be against their social work values. A social worker may need to resign and work as a policy advocate externally, or they may attempt to discuss concerns with administrators. If unsuccessful, they can escalate concerns to supervisors or higher management. According to NASW (2017), social workers should promote cultural respect and advocacy for policies that advance social justice and equity (NASW, 2017).

Reflect on a specific policy’s impact that you would try to mitigate during implementation. For example, when TANF was introduced in 1996, it aimed to support low-income single mothers in gaining resources and employment but lacked sufficient funds for childcare, leading to adverse outcomes like homelessness or resorting to illegal activities (Jansson, 2018). To mitigate this, I would advocate for immediate allocation of funds for childcare during policy rollout.

I will also share an experience of difficulty with policy implementation: Minnesota’s current mask mandate. While I understand the importance of masks to reduce virus spread, I believe enforcement through fines or arrests can disproportionately harm individuals with trauma or respiratory issues. I respect differing opinions but personally see enforcement as potentially unjust for vulnerable populations.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The implementation of public policies is a complex process influenced by numerous factors, including political climate, organizational structures, individual values, and societal beliefs. Frontline social workers hold a pivotal role in policy execution, often confronting ethical dilemmas and societal perceptions that may hinder the effective application of policies. Understanding the multifaceted reasons behind policy failure and the perceived role of social workers in this process is crucial for developing strategies to enhance policy adherence and advocate for equitable practices.

Factors Contributing to Policy Failure

Multiple factors contribute to the failure of policies in being effectively implemented. Political opposition, inadequate funding, organizational resistance, societal stigma, and ambiguous policy language can all impede successful execution (Weaver, 2016). For instance, policies lacking clear guidelines or sufficient resources often leave implementers uncertain about procedures, which can lead to inconsistencies or intentional non-compliance. Furthermore, policies that conflict with societal or organizational values can face resistance at the frontline level (Lane & Humphreys, 20111).

In addition, the sociopolitical environment can influence policy outcomes. Policies are often shaped by partisan ideologies, which may prioritize political gains over effective service delivery (Jansson, 2018). The political climate might result in deprioritization or abrupt changes that undermine ongoing initiatives. When policies clash with organizational cultures or professional values, frontline workers may either unconsciously or deliberately resist enforcement, perceiving the policies as unjust or counterproductive (Jansson, 2018).

The Role of Frontline Social Workers

Frontline social workers are frequently perceived as obstructers of policy implementation; however, their resistance often stems from ethical obligations and professional values. Social workers are committed to client advocacy, social justice, and respecting individual dignity (NASW, 2017). When policies threaten these core values, social workers may consciously or unconsciously undermine policy execution to protect their clients’ rights and well-being.

Nevertheless, social workers are sometimes viewed as agents of change. They may question or critique policies they believe are unjust, advocating for modifications or alternative approaches. This conduct aligns with the NASW Code of Ethics, which encourages social workers to challenge unfair policies and promote social justice (NASW, 2017). Their actions are thus reflective of professional integrity rather than opposition per se.

Ethical Dilemmas in Policy Implementation

Social workers often face ethical dilemmas when policies conflict with their professional values. For example, as noted by Reamer (2007), they might encounter situations where compliance with policy could harm clients or violate their ethical standards. These dilemmas include confidentiality breaches, mandated reporting, and service denial based on policy constraints. In such situations, social workers must balance adherence to policy with their ethical obligation to advocate for clients’ best interests.

When policies are perceived as unethical, social workers have several strategies: raising concerns informally, advocating for policy change, or, if necessary, refusing to enforce certain provisions. These actions can be justified within ethical frameworks if they aim to uphold social justice and client rights (Reamer, 2007). Conversely, failing to act may perpetuate injustice and violate professional standards.

Case Study: Impact of the TANF Policy

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, implemented in 1996, exemplifies a policy with significant implementation challenges. Despite its goal to support low-income families, the program's inadequate funding for childcare often left recipients without essential resources, leading to negative social outcomes such as homelessness and limited employment opportunities (Jansson, 2018). To mitigate these issues during implementation, advocacy for immediate and sustained funding, especially for childcare, is critical.

Personal Reflection: Mask Mandate Controversy

An example of policy implementation difficulty is the current mask mandate in Minnesota. While public health experts promote masks for reducing COVID-19 transmission, enforcement through fines or arrests raises ethical concerns. Individuals with trauma history or respiratory ailments may suffer harm if forced to comply against their will. Recognizing the diversity of personal circumstances highlights the importance of flexible, compassionate enforcement strategies rather than punitive measures.

Conclusion

Policy implementation is inherently complex, shaped by political, organizational, and societal influences. Frontline social workers play a vital advocacy role, often encountering ethical dilemmas when policies conflict with their values. Addressing these challenges through dialogue, advocacy, and ethical practice is essential for achieving equitable and effective policy outcomes.

References

• Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
• Lane, S., & Humphreys, N. (2011). Social workers in politics: A national survey of social work candidates and elected officials. Journal of Policy Practice, 10(3), 225–244.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
• Reamer, F. (2007). Challenging unethical agency policies. Social Work Today, 7(5), 16-19.
• Weaver, K. (2016). Challenges of policy implementation. In Policy analysis and advocacy. Routledge.
• Stanford Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. (2016). Challenges of policy implementation [Video].
• National Council on Family Relations. (2019). Immigrant families across the life course: Policy impacts on physical and mental health.
• Small, A., Gist, D., Souza, D., Dalton, J., Magny-Normilus, C., & David, D. (2016). Using Kotter's change model for implementing bedside handoff: A quality improvement project. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 31(4), 304-309.
• Krage, V. (2018). 4 steps for creating an online presentation [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.techlearning.com/
• Johnson, J. K., & Sollecito, W. A. (2020). McLaughlin & Kaluzny’s continuous quality improvement in health care (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.