Social Policy Ch. 6

Policy Development

The process by which policies are created and implemented in order to meet identified needs

How to define needs and strengths

- Identify assets/strengths available within the target population

- Engage affected individuals in making an initial claim for attention to the needs as articulated by the target group

How to identify initial policy goals

- Reach for consensus regarding policy goals

- Incorporate views of stakeholders

Who are stakeholders in policy?

- Elected officials

- Agency administrators

- Social service professionals

- Client groups

- Advocacy organizations

- Researchers

Windows of Opportunity in Claims-Making

- Critical Incidents

- Public Opinion

- Electoral Considerations

- Convergence of Claims

- Media Attention

- Elected Officials' Interest

What are workable solutions for policy alternatives?

- Expected to achieve outcomes

- Based on congruent values

- Minimize risk

- Feasible to implement

- Low-cost

- Flexible

- Communicable

- Likely to pass

Unanticipated consequences

unexpected events that result from the implementation of a policy

Ecological Perspective

In social work, focuses on the ways in which people and their environment influence, change, and shape each other

Ecology

The study of relationships between people and their environment

Entrapping Niches

Environments with barriers that prevent people from filling their needs. They frequently have restricted access to people or resources outside their niche.

Enabling Niches

Environments that have resources readily available to help people meet their needs

Transporting Niches

Environments where people can get the help they need to move out of entrapping niches

Participatory Action

Research occurs when practitioners, researchers, and people in groups under study join together to conduct research in order to contribute to social action.

Fiscal Impact Statement

An estimate prepared by a state official or government agency that predicts how approval of a piece of legislation would affect state finances.

Baseline Data

- Data collected to understand the condition of the target group prior to an intervention

- Quantify/Qualify the condition of the target group prior to policy/intervention

Political Activism

Actions taken for the purpose of influencing the outcome of elections or government decision making

Levels of Participation in Social Policy

- Information

- Consultation

- Deciding Together

(people who policy affects should be involved in all three areas)

Cost-Benefit Analysis

- Cost of implementing the legislation

- Expected outcomes of the policy

- Cost of not enacting the policy

Hatch Act

A federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.

Steps for Policy Implementation

- Developing an action plan

- Integrating other people into the plan

- Focusing your efforts

- Interacting with your opposition

- Supporting client groups

- Interacting with policy makers

Claims-Making Tasks

- Identify those able and willing to help

- Social Justice claim based on equal treatment

- Identify those who must be convinced

- Prepare a policy brief

- Publicize