work 1

Required

• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

  • Chapter 1, “The Policy-Based Profession” (pp. 5-19)

• Steen, J. A. (2012). Critical thought within the social welfare policy course. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 32(1), 14–28.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

1. Discussion 2 - Week 1

COLLAPSE

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Discussion: Micro vs. Macro Practice

The foundation of the social work profession is rooted in two levels of social assessment and reform. One is the individual, or micro, approach, which examines the needs of the individual living in poverty and explores how trained social work professionals could assist the individual in overcoming barriers to economic self-sufficiency. The other approach, which occurs simultaneously, is a macro, or larger environment, approach. This approach identifies and influences changes in the larger systems (education, economic, etc.) to improve self-sufficiency. The social work profession incorporates both approaches and trains professionals to intervene effectively at both levels of practice.

For this Discussion, review this week’s resources. Then, reflect on the dichotomy between micro and macro practice. Next, think about how micro practice has come to dominate the social work profession.

Post by Day 4 an explanation of “the dichotomy between micro and macro” practice. Then, describe how micro practice has come to dominate the social work profession.

Course Expectations

I am excited to start this course with you. I have posted a short bio of myself in the Class Cafe as well as the Contact the Instructor page. I believe this class will be fun and we will all learn from each other.  I look forward to a dialogue from each of you. I want to lay out my expectations for this class, as I know all professors are different in their style of teaching and expectations.

1. I always grade according to the rubric and assignment instructions, please take time to review both the instructions and the rubric prior to submitting any papers.

2. Please use APA format for all assignments. I encourage everyone to download the APA template given by the writing center. I have attached a link to this resource at the bottom of this announcement. I use this to aid in my grading. There are so many rules for APA, even I cannot remember them all.  I find it useful and I am sure you will too. I expect an abstract on every assignment, unless noted otherwise.

3. I do not accept late discussions after the week they are due. Discussions submitted after the Sunday due date will not be graded and you will receive a zero. There are no exceptions to this policy. Not participating in a discussion is like not coming to class. Submit by each due date listed in the weekly discussions’ instructions.

4. Late assignments will incur a 25% grade reduction for each day it is late. I will not accept any late assignments after the 5th day of the next week. Any late assignments should be communicated to me as soon as possible. I do not provide extensive feedback on late assignments.

5. Use Turnitin to your advantage. I do not look at the percentage of similarity; however, I look at what is similar (originality). It may not be intentional plagiarism but not properly citing is plagiarism. Please review the information on self-plagiarism on the Walden Writing Center website. If your similarity score is above 20% you may receive failing grade for the assignment.

6. If you have not used a Wiki prior to this class, please let me know. This only pertains if a Wiki is required for this class. Please review the course syllabus to verify.

7. When posting your discussions, please approach it as a "mini paper".  Always include your references. It is not an acceptable post to just offer a “great post” comment. Please ask scholarly questions and offer insightful comments based on the resources from the class. You may include other peer reviewed resources as well. Please review the rubric for discussions. In order to receive full credit, you must include at least one additional reference other than your textbook or the case studies.

8. Be respectful of your colleagues and your professor.  We are human and make mistakes.  Always approach with an air of dignity and respect.

9. When emailing me, please include which class and section (SOCW 6351-Section 2) you are enrolled as it will be helpful to me so I can locate your information in a timely manner.

10. If this class requires a video, I am attaching instructions for uploading videos. Some students have struggled with this in the past.

11. HAVE A GREAT QUARTER!!! 

I know this seems like a lot of information but you will find it will help you become better scholars. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything, I want you to succeed. I look forward to working with each of you and learning from you as well. See links below for more information about the APA format. Click on Kaltura Media Uploader (left side of courseroom) for more information about downloading videos. 

These links will not work if not logged into the Blackboard: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice

http://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/search/?t=0&topics=apa

 PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS POST AFTER YOU HAVE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO VERIFY YOU HAVE READ/UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS COURSE. THANK YOU! Dr. Samuel

Introduction

Social welfare policy usually begins as an attempt to respond to a social problem that needs to be addressed. Policymakers often make policies that, in their opinions, will solve the problem. Often, policies are developed that do not sufficiently address the social problems, and some policies lead to the development of other problems or consequences that policymakers did not anticipate. These are known as “unintended consequences.”

When working with individuals and families in developing policy, the assessment part of the process is vital. If the assessment is incorrect or incomplete, the intervention or policy will not be effective. Research is also an important part of the policy-making process that is often neglected. When reviewing and analyzing policy, why might it be important to determine how the policymakers define the social problem? Why might it be helpful to understand what factors they believe are the cause of the social problem? The answers to these questions are key components to understanding the effectiveness of policies.

This week, you explore policy from different ideological perspectives. You also examine how events lead to social policy creation and whether social workers are proactive or reactive in the policy arena.

Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze how events lead to the creation of social policy

• Evaluate changes to a social policy

• Analyze the role of social work in policy formation

• Evaluate whether social workers are proactive or reactive in the policy arena

• Analyze the relationship between social policy and the populations it affects

Required

• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

  • Chapter 11, “Politics and Social Welfare Policy” (pp. 245-261)

Required

• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

  • Chapter 2, “Defining Social Welfare Policy” (pp. 20-30)

• The Library of Congress: Thomas. (n.d.). How our laws are made. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://web.archive.org/web/20160703001104/https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/How+Our+Laws+Are+Made+-+Learn+About+the+Legislative+Process

1. Discussion 1 - Week 2

COLLAPSE

Top of Form

Discussion 1: Policy Development

Often, policymakers develop policies in response to a recent societal problem or event. Whereas some societal problems, such as homelessness, unemployment, and poverty, require long-term policy development and refinement, society sometimes demands immediate policy implementation in response to events or problems that proved dangerous for society at large. For example, the U.S. terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the subsequent terrorist threats heightened airport security and created item restrictions for airplane carry-on luggage. Over time, policymakers adjusted these policies as the danger appeared less imminent due to the development of other policies. What policies are you aware of that policymakers developed in response to a societal problem or event? Are those policies effective responses to the problems or events? If not, how might you change them in order to make them more effective?

For this Discussion, review this week’s resources. Using reputable news and education sources, search for an event that led to the formation of a social policy. Then, consider what changes you might make to the policy that resulted from this event. Finally, think about the role of social work (as a profession and political lobby) in the formation of the policy.

Post by Day 3 a brief explanation of the event you selected that led to the formation of a social policy. Then, explain what changes you would make to the policy that resulted from this event and why. Finally, explain the role of social work (as a profession and political lobby) in the formation of the policy.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

1. Discussion 2 - Week 2

COLLAPSE

Top of Form

Discussion 2: Ideological Perspectives of Population-Specific Policy

Social workers often are very aware of and informed about the needs of the specific populations with which they work. As a result, it is important that social workers get involved in the policy-creation process by sharing their experiences and perspectives with others, including policymakers.

For this Discussion, select a population of particular interest to you. Then, select three to five policies (including two to three state-level and two to three federal-level policies) related to that population. Finally, subscribe to a variety of blog alerts concerning the population and the policies you selected. Note that you will be discussing about these policies throughout the course. You will also critically review the published opinions of bloggers outside of this course, who write about the policies you identified.

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the population you selected. Then, provide a description of three to five policies (including two to three state-level and two to three federal-level policies) related to that population. Finally, explain the relationship between the policies and the population you selected.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.

Respond by Day 6 to at least two colleagues by explaining how the policies your colleagues described might relate to the population you selected.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

1. Discussion - Week 3

Required

• Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

  • "Social Work Policy: Benefit Administration and Provision" (pp. 75–76)

  • "Working with Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa" (pp. 79–80)

• 

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

• • Chapter 3, “Social Welfare Policy Analysis” (pp. 35-55)

  • Chapter 5, “Social/Economic Analysis” (pp. 77-96)

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2011). Policy basics: Introduction to the federal budget process. Retrieved from www.cbpp.org/files/3-7-03bud.pdf

COLLAPSE

Top of Form

Discussion: The Impact of Social Policy

Social policies can have a significant impact on individuals and families, as well as the organizations and agencies that implement the policies. In some cases, the policy, as written, appears comprehensive and effective. Yet, despite appearances, the policy might fail to be effective as a result of improper implementation, interpretation, and/or application of the policy. As a social worker, how might you reduce the potential negative impact faulty social policies might have on organizations and agencies, as well as the populations you serve? 

For this Discussion, review this week’s resources, including cases “Working with Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa” and “Social Work Policy: Benefit Administration and Provision.” Then, select either of the cases and consider how the social welfare policies presented in the case influenced the problems facing Luisa or Tessa. Finally, think about how policies affect social agencies and how social workers work with clients such as Tessa or Luisa.

Post by Day 3 an explanation of the effects of the social welfare policies presented in the case study you selected on Luisa or Tessa. Be specific and reference the case study you selected in your post. Finally, explain how policies affect social agencies and how social workers work with clients, such as Tessa or Luisa.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Introduction

Social workers in the United States need to be knowledgeable about the local, state, and federal programs available to assist clients. Often, obtaining this knowledge is difficult, as benefits and guidelines vary from one geographic area to another. However, being knowledgeable about poverty or means-tested public assistance programs, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, provides you, as the social worker, with the ability to assist families with much needed resources. It also prepares you to become an effective advocate for changes in social welfare policies and procedures. What poverty or means-tested public assistance programs are available in your state or region? How do these programs influence the perception of the recipients in your society? If these types of policies are not available in your geographic region, how might you help clients who need assistance?

This week, you examine the appropriateness of means-tested programs in a social work case study based on your state or region’s welfare programs. You also analyze societal and personal perceptions of recipients who participate in means-tested public assistance programs and identify social worker’s responsibility for social policy and service advocacy. 

Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze the availability of means-tested programs for a client in a social work case study

• Analyze state welfare policies

• Analyze long-term outcomes for choosing to parent in a social work case study

• Analyze potential changes to social policies for which to advocate

• Analyze the responsibility of social workers to identify service and advocate for policy change

• Analyze whether means-tested programs create dependency

• Analyze how perception of dependency might contribute to welfare program stigma

• Analyze how personal perceptions of recipients who participate in means-tested welfare programs might affect social work practice

• Analyze strategies for alleviating the stigma surrounding means-tested programs

• Apply strategies for adjusting perceptions of recipients who receive means-tested welfare

Required

• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2015). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

  • Chapter 6, “Fighting poverty: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families” (pp. 101-138)

• Bentele, K. G., & Nicoli, L. T. (2012). Ending access as we know it: State welfare benefit coverage in the TANF era. Social Service Review, 86(2), 223–268.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Posiniewski, L. (2011). A unique approach to meeting the employment and training needs of food stamp recipients. Policy & Practice, 69(2), 14–15.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

  • Part 1, "The Logan Family" (pp. 9–10)