Assignment: SOW 4232 Social Welfare Policies and Issues

Assignment: SOW 4232 Social Welfare Policies and Issues

Provide an analysis of a policy using the policy analysis framework presented in Chapter 5 of the Chapin text and materials presented in the class. You should choose a policy that is not already featured in the policy analysis boxes of the Chapin text (Example: Box 7.10). Be sure that you respond to each section of the analysis framework, and that you proofread for spelling, grammar, or formatting errors. You will lose points for skipping sections or incomplete answers, and you will lose points for spelling, grammar, or formatting errors.

This is a 2 – 4 page paper. This page specification does not include the title page or reference page.

You will need to include references other than the policy itself in order to complete this assignment properly. This should include at least three peer-reviewed references, and may include more than that, along with think tank policy briefs or reports, or information from government entities or advocacy groups. Be sure to read the powerpoint on analyzing frameworks for more information on this point.

Assignment: SOW 4232 Social Welfare Policies and Issues

Note:APA 3 peer review references

Policy Analysis Essay: XYZ Policy

Introductory paragraph goes here. This section would introduce the reader to what they can expect to read going forward. Specifically, in this section you would most likely want to lead with your thesis statement and then follow that with a few sentences that indicate how you address this thesis in your paper. **The following template is based on the structure from the Chapin textbook.

Policy Background and Description

Policy Description & Presenting Problem

In this section, describe the policy. Give brief background that includes: 1) The name of the policy (act), 2) when the policy was established, and 3) what the policy is intended to do, including what aspects of individual and family well-being is the policy designed to address. In addition, describe: 4) problems/issues surrounding the policy (for instance, how the policy does not meet the “ideal” and what current opposition/issues are present with this policy).

Assignment: SOW 4232 Social Welfare Policies and Issues

Policy Background

In this section, give background/historical information about the policy. Here, you would likely want to discuss: 1) what lead to the development of the policy (i.e. social issues/problems present at the time), 2) who proposed the development of the policy (i.e. who is connected with the policy’s development), and 3) what the policy was initially intended to do (i.e. goals and objectives of the policy). Include 4) your understanding of the policy’s desired outcome/result from the a) policymaker’s perspective and b) from the client’s perspective. This background section should also include: 5) the types of benefits or services that are to be provided by the policy and 6) the potential benefits of the proposed policy. Finally, 7) discuss what amendments have been a part of the policy’s history/development and how those amendments added to/changed the initial goals/objectives of the policy.

Policy Funding and Function

Service Delivery & Eligibility

In this section, discuss: 1) the services/programs offered by the policy. Include: 2) who is eligible to receive the benefits/services and 3) how the eligibility is determined.

Funding

In this section of the paper, describe 1) the potential/current costs associated with the program/services connected to the policy and 2) how the policy is funded.

Micro, Mezzo, & Macro Impact

In this section of the paper, discuss: 1) what the micro implications of the policy are (or will be) on society, 2) what the mezzo implications of the policy are (or will be) on society, and 3) what the macro implications of the policy are (or will be) on society. Include: a) a definition of each level of social work practice and b) insight on cultural implications – to include minority/marginalized/oppress groups and how the policy affirms (or does not affirm) culture.

Perspectives & Recommendations

Use this section of the paper to provide your overall perspectives of the policy (i.e. strengths and challenges); to include: 1) ways the policy does meet the “ideal” and ways the policy does not meet the ideal- include what the intended consequences are and consider potential unintended consequences, and 2) your overall recommendation on what should happen with the policy (i.e. keep, change, remove).

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

• Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
• Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
• One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
• I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

• Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
• In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
• Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
• Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

• Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
• Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
• I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

• I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
• As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
• It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

LopesWrite Policy

• For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
• Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
• Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
• Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

• The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
• Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
• If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
• I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
• As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

• Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: 
  • Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
  • Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.