Policy Paper

Instructions

Submit a 5- to 8-page paper that addresses the following: 

The social problem/issue 

• Identify a social problem/issue you would like to address. 
• Describe the context—historical and/or contemporary—of society’s perception and approach to this social problem/issue. 
• What current research (including facts and statistics) supports the need to address the social problem/issue? 

The policy

• Identify a specific policy that addresses the selected social problem/issue. 
• Describe the historical context of the policy. 
  • Briefly provide enough detail about the social, economic, and political circumstances that inspired action. 
  • Include reputable references/resources to support current updates, implementation, and/or changes related to the policy. 

The population and programs 

• Identify the population served by the policy. 
• What qualifies a client for inclusion in the policy? 
• What successful or widely accepted programs have come out of the policy?

 In practice 

• What role(s) do social workers play in the success of the program? 
• Does the policy work in practice as intended? Why or why not? 
• Does the policy achieve its goals? 

 Social change 

• Does the policy contribute to social justice? How? If not, explain how or why it does not contribute to social justice. 
• Identify opportunities for improvement in the policy. 
• Explain how you would go about improving the policy. 

Sources 

• You must reference a minimum of eight scholarly references, which may include electronic government documents and reputable websites. 

• Your reference list should appear on a separate page, and it is not included in the 5- to 8-page requirement.