Social Problem/Issue Analysis Template
The requirements for the first three parts of the paper are below. Consider beginning these aspects now.
The social problem/issue
Identify a social problem/issue you would like to address.
Describe the context—historical and/or contemporary—of society’s perception and approach to this social problem/issue.
What current research (including facts and statistics) supports the need to address the social problem/issue?
The policy
Identify a specific policy that addresses the selected social problem/issue.
Describe the historical context of the policy.
Briefly provide enough detail about the social, economic, and political circumstances that inspired action.
Include reputable references/resources to support current updates, implementation, and/or changes related to the policy.
The context
Identify the population served by the policy.
What qualifies a client for inclusion in the policy?
What successful or widely accepted programs have come out of the policy?
In practice
What role(s) do social workers play in the success of the program?
Does the policy work in practice as intended? Why or why not?
Does the policy achieve its goals?
Social change
Does the policy contribute to social justice? How? If not, explain how or why it does not contribute to social justice.
Identify opportunities for improvement in the policy.
Explain how you would go about improving the policy.
Sources
You must reference a minimum of eight scholarly references, which may include electronic government documents and reputable websites.
Your reference list should appear on a separate page, and it is not included in the 5- to 8-page requirement.