Policy Analysis and Advocacy Assignment In this assignment, you will critically analyze three social welfare policies—one at the local, one at the state, and one at the federal level—that directly impact well-being, service delivery, and access

Policy Analysis and Advocacy Assignment In this assignment, you will critically analyze three social welfare policies—one at the local, one at the state, and one at the federal level—that directly impact well-being, service delivery, and access to social services related to your chosen social problem. You will apply Jansson’s Policy Advocacy Framework to guide your analysis, connecting policy research to real-world advocacy practice. As part of the assignment, you will view one policy advocacy meeting (e.g., legislative session, public hearing, advocacy coalition meeting, or community forum) and integrate insights from that experience into your analysis. CSWE Competency 5 Link – Engage in Policy Practice This assignment aligns with CSWE 2015 EPAS Competency 5, which states: “Social workers identify social policy at the local, state, and federal levels that impact well-being, service delivery, and access to social services. They assess the impact of social welfare and economic policies on the delivery of and access to social services. Social workers apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.” Purpose and Competency Alignment This assignment assesses your ability to: Analyze social policies at multiple levels related to your selected social problem. Assess the impact of social welfare and economic policies on service delivery and access for a target population. Apply critical thinking and evidence to formulate and advocate for policy changes. Integrate insights from real-world advocacy meetings into your analysis and recommendations. Instructions 1. Select a Social Problem Choose a social problem relevant to social work practice (e.g., affordable housing, child welfare reform, reentry programs, or substance use treatment access). Identify one local, one state, and one federal policy addressing this issue. Obtain full copies of each policy for your appendix. 2. Attend a Policy Advocacy Meeting Attend one meeting focused on policy or advocacy (e.g., city council, legislative committee, congressional town hall, advocacy coalition). During the meeting, take notes on: Policy issues discussed, Stakeholders and their positions, Advocacy strategies or tactics used, and Evidence of Jansson’s policy advocacy stages in practice 3. Research and Evidence Gathering Locate at least 12 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (published within the last 7 years; seminal works allowed with instructor approval). Include supporting data (e.g., statistics, reports, and policy texts). Use credible sources to support your policy analysis and advocacy recommendations. 4. Write Your Paper Your paper must follow the 8-section structure below, aligned with Jansson’s Policy Advocacy Framework. Paper Structure – 8 Sections 1. Problem Identification & Policy Overview Define the social problem connecting your three selected policies. Summarize each local, state, and federal policy, including historical context, key stakeholders, and purpose. Explain how each policy addresses the identified problem. 2. Problem Analysis & Policy Goals Analyze the scope, causes, and urgency of the social problem. Identify policy goals and measurable objectives. Discuss how the policy’s design aligns (or conflicts) with the defined problem. 3. Target Population & Beneficiary Analysis Define the population(s) served by each policy. Explain why this group was targeted and how the policy affects them. Assess whether the population was represented or consulted during policy development. 4. Political Feasibility & Context Analysis Evaluate the political, social, and economic factors influencing policy development. Identify sources of support and opposition. Discuss coalitions, public opinion, budgetary constraints, and ideological influences. 5. Policy Implementation & Administrative Structures Describe implementation processes at each jurisdictional level. Identify responsible agencies or systems. Analyze barriers, disparities, and challenges in implementation. 6. Policy Impact & Effectiveness Assess how each policy affects service delivery and access to social services. Evaluate whether the policy meets its goals using research and evaluation data. Identify unintended (positive or negative) outcomes. Clarify whether each policy is evidence-informed or evidence-based. 7. Ethical Soundness & Social Work Values Apply the NASW Code of Ethics to assess ethical implications. Discuss values such as dignity and worth of the person, self-determination, cultural humility, and social justice. Identify ethical strengths and concerns for each policy. 8. Policy Alternatives, Advocacy Recommendations, & Meeting Reflection Summarize research findings on your target population and policy impact. Identify policy gaps and propose evidence-based changes or alternatives. Support recommendations with at least 8 scholarly sources and Jansson’s advocacy tactics (e.g., coalition building, framing, agenda setting). Reflect on your policy meeting: How it illustrated elements of the policy process Advocacy strategies or tactics you observed How insights from the meeting inform your recommendations Assignment Requirements Length: 12 pages (excluding title page, references, and appendices) Formatting: APA 7th edition, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman Citations: Minimum of 12 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (within last 7 years) Policy Attachments: Include the full text of each policy (Local, State, Federal) as PDFs or appendices Submission: Upload to course learning platform by the assigned due date