1.) Analyze a specific aspect of the policy. Find a stated objective and analyze the policy’s ability to address the issue.
2.) Use a historical/political and if possible, group psychological frame to understand the underlying values and assumptions that were used to develop the policy. How have the definitions of the social problem been influenced by ideological-based value systems and further informed the policy approach? This frame will aid in your understanding of ineffective policies or possible policy paradoxes.
• Policy Formulation – Problem Definition and Possible Causation • Who defines the issue as a social problem? Domestic Violence and HIV examples • Who is specifically affected and how? • How does the media portray the issue and how does it affect public perception? Reagan example.
• How does political/philosophical orientation impact the definition and causation of the problem? – Review of Current and Recommended Future Actions
• What is being done by the government and at what levels • By provider agencies • By political parties
• By advocacy groups including social workers
• By communities and community groups – Developing Possible Responses to the Problem
• Develop alternative strategies programmatically and legislatively
• What are the pros and cons of these strategies?
• What political and advocacy actions can be developed to pursue these strategies? – Key variables include: Cost, political acceptability, availability of competent provider agencies, acceptability to community, acceptability to clients, legal issues,technical problems, attitudes by funding or regulatory agencies, ethical issues. – Undertaking These Tasks • Requires the support of groups such as NASW or other community groups
• Linked action
• Through Collaboration, needed skills and can be identified and joint activities implemented.
Sample Solution