Policy Unit 3 Quiz

policy practice

requires advocacy, analysis, and empowerment

policy analysis

Analyzing the causes and consequences that result from public policies.

empowering clients to speak for themselves rather than advocate for them

The Hatch Act

federal statute passed in 1939 to regulate the political activity of the civil servants. It ensures that federal authorities do not use the power or resources of their offices to promote political candidates.

restricts how federal employees can engage in political activities. with social media this can be violated easily because of the simple click of a like or retweet. it could put you in hot ethical waters and could lead to severe consequences including suspension or even termination. “Less restricted” employees include scheduled C’s, GS, WG, and non-career SES employees. Political activity is prohibited while on duty, while on federal property, or while using government property. Political activity is defined as any activity that is directed toward the success or failure of any partisan candidate, political party, or partisan political group. You also can’t like share or retweet anyone else’s political post under the same circumstances. Federal employees are also subject to a 24/7 fundraising ban that restricts them from soliciting or accepting donations for a partisan candidate, political party, or political organization. Same with while on social media, no posting, liking, or sharing any political fundraising language.

Process techniques in policy analysis

focuses on the development process; questions addressed the need for a policy or program or “what are the chances this policy will be approved?”. A needs assessment is a useful tool in process techniques.

Process of policy analysis practices

Implementation of policy analysis practices

approaches to policy analysis ask about the social programs that are the products of policy. Perhaps the most well known of these product approaches is the framework described by Gilbert and Terrell (2002) that clearly articulates the dimensions of a social program.

Implementation appraisal is a detailed description of public programs that are the products of social policy.

Five key aspects:

1. goal or the social problem

2. basis for entitlement (or eligibility)

3. nature of the benefit or service provided (services, goods, vouchers, cash)

4. administrative structure of program delivery (centralization, staff characteristics, citizen participation, appeal procedures)

5. program’s financing mechanism (once we understand where the money comes from, we know a great deal about the program)

impact of policy analysis practices

such as cost–benefit analysis consider the effect of a policy. The choice of question will, of course, depend on the purpose of the analysis. Any of these questions can be informed by a social justice perspective, which helps make explicit the underlying values and implications of policy.

Cost-effectiveness in policy analysis

Describes the costs and benefits of a policy or program. These may be immediate or long term, and direct or indirect.

social justice perspective of policy analysis

a philosophy, a mission, and a goal; fairness is the target of analysis. Considers both the process of policy development and the impact of the policy.

Steps of social justice framework:

1. assess the fairness of the policy development process

2. describe the allocation rules embodied in the policy

3. determine the net effect of the policy on vulnerable populations

4. research a conclusion regarding the policy’s impact on social justice

How social workers empower clients

helping them secure knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities to advocate for themselves.

Demand-based needs

Needs must be both perceived and expressed. Basic needs not expressed don’t count; the discourse becomes more political.

Slippery slope argument

We have all heard “slippery slope” arguments. When we were young, our teachers may have told us, “If I do this for you, I’ll have to do it for all of the children.” More sophisticated forms of this argument surface in contemporary debates such as the controversy over assisted suicide. Opponents argue that permitting assisted suicide for the terminally ill will lead to euthanasia of the disabled or even the unattractive. Slippery slope arguments have what my grandmother used to call “ear appeal.” They sound good. They make sense at first blush. But upon careful consideration they are seldom persuasive. Indeed, a good debater can undermine an opponent’s credibility by pointing out that the person has used a slippery slope argument.

When it is unethical to involve clients in advocacy

if it is going to re-traumatize or harm the client.

501(C)(3) and political advocacy

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.  Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances.  For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

Read the D.A.R.E. article and think about how research and evaluation have driven program development, as well as the policy implications of implementing ineffective programs.

Using the DeSwann and Social Problem Analysis models to inform how we can make the public care about a social problem. 

First, the external effects of adversity must be recognized. One person’s suffering must affect another, and the “other” must recognize that effect. Second, individual remedies must be of limited effectiveness. Attempts by individuals to escape the external effects or to avoid the problem must prove ineffective. Finally, when adversity and/or its external effects can strike at any time with unpredictable magnitude (uncertainty of moment and magnitude), collective responses are more likely. The development of modern plumbing serves as an excellent example.