Signature Assignment: Engage In Policy Practice

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This signature assignment is designed to measure a BASW Program Learning Outcome (PLO) equivalent to the Council on the Social Work Education (CSWE) EPAS 2015. PLO 5: Engage in Policy Practice. The Competency includes the following behaviors that demonstrate achievement of this competency: • Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services. • Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services. • Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Note: The purpose of this assignment is for you to engage in policy practice. Your response should primarily be in your own words and reflect your thoughts or understanding of the topic. You may utilize the suggested resources provided with this assignment as sources of information for your responses as well as your textbook and other appropriate resources. These sources should be used to support or elaborate on your argument, thoughts, or opinions, and to provide statistics rather than to substitute for your own thoughts. You will not receive credit for a submission that is 40% or more from another source, even if you have cited your sources.

The rubric for this assignment provides additional information on grading. Assignment Organization:

• Title page: Include your name, course title and session/year on the first page or cover
• Insert page numbers in your paper. Your paper should be double-spaced with 12 point font.
• For each response, provide a heading that includes the number and/or letter of the question.
• See the guidelines at the end of each question for suggested response lengths.
• Cite a total of at least 2-3 research-based sources throughout your paper.
• Provide a reference list at the end of your paper.
• Use APA style and paraphrase appropriately.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. Identify a social policy at each of the three levels of government (local, state and federal) that impacts well-being and social services.

2. Describe how social policy can impact social service delivery and access to social services. You can provide examples to support your response. (1-2 paragraphs).

3. Develop, advocate for, and analyze social policy to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

4. Identify a social policy issue that you will address in this assignment.

   • a) Provide evidence of the current (within the past 5-8 years) scope and impact of this issue/problem. For example, identify who is primarily or directly affected by this issue/problem and who may be indirectly affected. Cite available statistics or appropriate sources. (3-4 paragraphs).
   • b) Describe how the problem impacts human rights, social, economic, and environmental justice. (3-4 paragraphs)

5. Describe your suggestions to improve the policy response to this problem. Identify at least two specific improvements that you would make. (1-2 paragraphs)

6. Identify at least two stakeholders (individuals or groups) that you will include in your efforts to address this problem and discuss their role in the policy process. Consider the advantages and challenges of including stakeholders in the policy-making process. (2-3 paragraphs)

7. Describe at least two specific strategies that you will use to advocate for this policy. Discuss a potential benefit and challenge of each of your selected approaches to policy advocacy. (2-3 paragraphs)

8. Provide an analysis of your policy. Evaluate the expected impact of the policy on the advancement of human rights and social and economic and environmental justice for the intended individuals. Consider the influence of the social, economic, and political environment in achieving the goals of your policy. (3-4 paragraphs)

Note: The purpose of this assignment is to engage in policy practice. Your response should mainly be in your own words, reflecting your understanding of the topic. Use suggested resources as appropriate to support your thoughts, but avoid over-reliance on sources for originality and analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

The interconnectedness of social policies and their influence on social service delivery and access is fundamental to understanding social work practice. Social policies at the local, state, and federal levels shape the landscape of human well-being by establishing frameworks that determine resource allocation, service availability, and rights protections. This paper explores these levels of policy, discusses a prominent policy issue, proposes improvements, identifies stakeholders, advocates strategies, and evaluates the potential impact on human rights and justice.

Identification of Social Policies at Local, State, and Federal Levels

At the local level, the Housing First policy aims to address homelessness by providing immediate permanent housing to homeless individuals without preconditions (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). This policy directly impacts well-being by offering stability and safety, while also improving access to social services such as mental health and addiction treatment. At the state level, Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extends health coverage to low-income populations, significantly affecting access to healthcare and overall health outcomes (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2019). Federally, the Social Security Act continues to underpin retirement and disability benefits, crucial for supporting elderly and disabled populations (U.S. Social Security Administration, 2021).

Impact of Social Policies on Service Delivery and Access

Social policies deeply influence how services are delivered and who can access them. For example, Medicaid expansion has increased healthcare accessibility for millions, reducing disparities in health outcomes among low-income communities (Somers et al., 2018). Conversely, policies restricting food assistance or housing subsidies can limit access, perpetuating cycles of poverty. These policies shape not only the availability of services but also the quality and appropriateness of care. When policies prioritize preventative care and community-based services, social work practitioners can more effectively promote equitable access, fostering improved well-being among vulnerable populations.

Addressing a Social Policy Issue

Scope and Impact of Child Poverty

Child poverty remains a pervasive issue affecting millions across the United States, with recent data indicating that approximately 16.1% of children live below the federal poverty line (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). This problem disproportionately impacts minority children, with Black and Hispanic children experiencing higher poverty rates than their white counterparts (Child Trends, 2020). The consequences include limited access to quality education, healthcare, and nutritious food, which affect their physical health, cognitive development, and future economic prospects. Marginalized children often face barriers to social mobility, perpetuating generational cycles of poverty (García, 2021).

Impact on Human Rights and Justice

Child poverty infringes on fundamental human rights such as adequate housing, education, and health. It perpetuates social injustice by disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, stripping children of opportunities for equitable development. Economically, children in poverty face increased risks of poor health and reduced earning potential, which weaken economic justice by limiting social mobility. Environmentally, families in impoverished circumstances often reside in substandard housing with exposure to environmental hazards, exacerbating health disparities (UNICEF, 2020). These disparities highlight systemic inequities embedded within economic and social structures.

Policy Improvement Suggestions

To better address child poverty, one improvement would be expanding federal child benefits to provide direct financial support to all low-income families, ensuring basic needs are met. A second improvement involves increasing investment in affordable housing programs targeted at families with children, reducing housing instability and improving stability essential for healthy development.

Stakeholders and Their Roles

Key stakeholders include policymakers, child advocacy groups, and affected families. Policymakers are responsible for legislating and allocating resources, while advocacy groups raise awareness and push for policy change. Families affected by child poverty are essential for providing firsthand insights, ensuring policies are relevant and effective. Including these stakeholders fosters participatory policymaking, increases buy-in, and enhances policy relevance. However, challenges include conflicting interests and political resistance, which can hinder consensus-building and implementation.

Advocacy Strategies

Two effective advocacy strategies are grassroots organizing and policy lobbying. Grassroots organizing mobilizes community members to advocate collectively, raising public awareness and political pressure. A benefit is increased community engagement; a challenge is potential resource intensity and ensuring sustainable participation. Policy lobbying involves engaging legislators directly to influence policy decisions. Its benefit includes targeted influence on legislation; however, challenges include lobbying restrictions and potential perceptions of bias.

Policy Analysis and Expected Impact

Analyzing the proposed policies reveals they could substantially reduce child poverty by providing financial stability and improving housing conditions. These policies are likely to promote human rights by ensuring access to basic needs and reduce social inequalities by leveling economic disparities. The success of these initiatives depends heavily on the socio-political environment, including political will, economic resources, and public support.

Economic growth and social stability are typically enhanced when vulnerable populations are supported through such policies. Environmental justice can also benefit as stable housing reduces exposure to environmental hazards, especially in marginalized communities. Moreover, these policies contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources, fostering social justice. Nonetheless, political ideologies and economic constraints may challenge policy implementation, requiring strategic advocacy and sustained stakeholder engagement to achieve intended outcomes.

Overall, strategic enhancements in social policy targeting child poverty can create profound positive impacts on human rights, social equity, and environmental health, fostering a society where all children have the opportunity to thrive.

References

• Child Trends. (2020). Child poverty and disparities. https://www.childtrends.org
• García, M. (2021). The cyclical nature of poverty and policy implications. Social Policy Review, 33(2), 45-60.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2019). Medicaid expansion and health coverage. https://www.kff.org
• National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2020). Housing First policy review. https://endhomelessness.org
• U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Current population survey, poverty statistics. https://www.census.gov
• U.S. Social Security Administration. (2021). Annual statistical report. https://www.ssa.gov
• UNICEF. (2020). Child rights and environmental justice. https://www.unicef.org
• Somers, M. R., et al. (2018). Impact of Medicaid expansion on health disparities. Journal of Policy Analysis, 40(4), 677-685.