Reference no: EM132474603

Ecology of Policy in Social Work Settings

Point 1: The ecology of policy is the environment of policy and advocacy systems within which the social worker and policy advocate must navigate in order to effect change in a social issue. As the quote above implies, the advocate must have a plan or a policy road map to help him or her navigate through a complicated system of institutions, legislatures, and funding bodies that provide the ecology of policies in local, state, and national settings. Having a solid plan is the first step in preparation for successfully handling the sensitive issues that may arise when public opinion influences the policy process.

Point 2: This week you complete a community assessment which will help you to understand your community in order to develop an appropriate policy action plan. You also explore how public opinion influences the policy process and, in turn, how that influences the direction your map (i.e., your plan) takes as you attempt to skillfully navigate through social work settings and issues.

Learning Objectives

1. Analyze how public opinion can influence the policy process
2. Apply social work skills
3. Analyze social justice implications
4. Assess a community related to a social problem
5. Create a plan for community change based on community assessment
6. Analyze influence of policy on a community action plan

Assignment: Community Assessment

• The purpose of this assignment is to broaden your understanding of a community, develop analytical skills regarding communities in relation to specific populations and their needs, and to better plan and develop interventions to address issues and problems facing the community.

Submit a 4-6 page paper. The paper needs to be well-researched and written using APA guidelines. Data should come from at least five sources.

Part I: Understanding your Community

Question 1: Analyze how your community has changed over the past 20 years. Use policy and community concepts and theories from the learning resources to support your analysis.

Question 2: Describe your community, using research and statistics to describe socio-demographic make-up. (For example: How many persons live in the city and/or in the town? What were/are their cultural/racial characteristics? What were/are their incomes, ages, political affiliations, etc.?)

Part II: Community Assessment

Question 3: Describe a problem that the community is currently experiencing.

Question 4: Assess the duration, intensity, and frequency of the problem.

Question 5: Analyze the probable etiology of the problem, supporting your analysis with resources.

Question 6: Analyze the key elements and characteristics of the community that make it vulnerable to this problem.

Question 7: Analyze the key strengths of the community that give the community resilience and the potential for overcoming the problem.

Question 8: Identify major institutions (e.g., schools, factories, churches, attraction sites, etc.) and explain how these institutions contribute to or inhibit the community's ability to address the problem?

Question 9: Explain which groups are most affected by the problem.

Part III: Community & Policy Action Plan

Question 10: Describe your proposed plan for community change.

Question 11: Explain the strategies and tactics you would you use to bring about change. Consider if you would need multiple strategies, and if so, explain which strategy would be used for each target.

Question 12: Explain any policies that may influence the ability, either supportive or prohibitive, to influence proposed community change.

Question 13: Explain what policies would need to be in place to ensure proposed plans are sustainable.