Social Policy: Module 3 & 4 Concepts (Policy Practice, Advocacy, Welfare Pluralism, and Jamaican Poverty Policy)

Vocabulary flashcards covering policy practice, advocacy, policy development, welfare pluralism, and Jamaican poverty policy concepts drawn from Modules 3–5.

Policy practice

Using social work skills to propose and change policies to achieve social and economic justice.

NASW Code of Ethics

Guides social workers to enhance human well-being and meet basic human needs, with a focus on vulnerable, oppressed, and poor; core values include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Generalist practice skills

Core social work skills (engagement, goal setting, planning, implementing, and monitoring progress) applied to larger social systems to achieve policy or systemic change.

Welfare pluralism

A mixed economy of welfare where services are provided by multiple actors, including the state, private sector, voluntary sector, informal sector, NGOs/charities, and international development partners.

Problem definition

The first step in policy analysis: clearly identifying and describing a problem to prompt government attention.

Agenda setting

Process of elevating a problem to the policy agenda so it can be addressed by decision-makers.

Policy development/formulation

Creating approaches to solve a problem; in the US involves Congress, the executive, courts, and interest groups; in Jamaica involves the Cabinet, ministries, and community groups.

Implementation

Carrying out a policy, often by bodies other than those who formulated it; success depends on complexity, coordination, and compliance.

Evaluation

Assessing how well a policy works, often using cost-benefit analysis to determine if benefits justify costs.

Termination

Ending a policy when it is no longer needed or effective.

Green Paper

Draft policy document for public consultation endorsed by Cabinet before being tabled in Parliament.

White Paper

Final policy document after consultations, prepared for Cabinet approval and tabling in Parliament.

Concept Paper

Ministry document outlining the problem, evidence, and proposed approach, including an initial action plan.

Action Plan

Timeline and resources outlining how the policy will be developed and implemented.

Public consultations

Engagement with stakeholders guided by a Consultation Code to gather feedback on policy proposals.

Stakeholder engagement

Involving individuals or groups affected by a policy to build commitment and inform policy decisions.

Policy Development/Formulation ( Jamaica context )

Process of devising an approach to solve a problem; in Jamaica involves the Cabinet, secretaries of ministries, and community interest groups.

Policy Analysis

The act of studying a policy to understand its goals, strategies, and potential impact; conducted by ministries’ analysis units.

Cabinet Committee

A Cabinet body that endorses policy documents (e.g., Green Paper) and guides the policy process.

Policy Register

A government listing of national policies used as a starting point for reviewing policies.

Ministries' policy analysis units

Examples include MOE Policy Analysis, Research and Statistics Unit; PPDED in MSET; Strategic Planning, Policy Research and Evaluation in MOJ.

Public Health Impact (policy analysis criterion)

Assessment of how a policy affects health outcomes and disparities.

Feasibility

Likelihood that a policy can be enacted and implemented.

Economic and Budgetary Impact

Comparison of costs to enact, implement, and enforce the policy with its expected benefits.

Political

Context of political forces, stakeholders, and policy debate shaping policy options.

Operational Budget

Resources and budgetary needs required to develop, enact, and enforce the policy.

Absolute poverty line

A monetary threshold representing the level of consumption needed for a basic standard of living, defined by the cost of a basic basket of goods.

Food poverty line

The portion of the poverty line based on the cost of food; those at or below are considered in extreme poverty.

Poverty reduction programs in Jamaica

Key programs include PATH (through MO Labour and Social Security), NPEP, and related ministries’ poverty initiatives.

PATH

Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education; Jamaica’s main poverty reduction program administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

PRCU

Poverty Reduction Coordinating Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ); institutional focal point for poverty reduction.

NPEP

National Poverty Eradication Programme.

PCMU

Programme Coordinating and Monitoring Unit established in the Office of the Prime Minister to coordinate poverty-related programs since 1997.

GOAL 1

Extreme (food) poverty eradicated by 2022.

GOAL 2

National poverty prevalence reduced to below 10% by 2030.

Vision 2030 Jamaica

The national development plan guiding Jamaica’s long-term strategic priorities.

National Policy on Poverty

Policy framework and the National Poverty Reduction Programme aimed at coordinating poverty reduction efforts.