Policy Analysis And Advocacy Skill Building: Gerontology Service Systems And Safety Net Supports

Assessment 

Identify one anti-poverty policy and associated program and discuss advantages and limitations of the approach. What opportunities are there to improve the policy and associated program?

This discussion question is informed by the following EPAS Standard:

5: Engage in Policy Practice

Assessment Description

How does poverty affect people? How does poverty affect our society? Do you think anti-poverty strategies are an important part of a social welfare system? Why?

This discussion question is informed by the following EPAS Standards:

2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

5: Engage in Policy Practice

Benchmark – Community Organization (Obj. 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3)

Instructions: 

Select ONE population of interest: elderly people OR families living below the poverty level.

Based on your selected population of interest, visit (or contact with the approval of your instructor) one of the following community organizations. After you leave, write down your observations and impressions. Then, prepare a two-to-three-page, double-spaced report based on your visit. In your report, address each of the questions (listed below) associated with each site visit. 

A senior center in your community.

What services are available?

What activities are available for people who come to the center?

What does the senior center look like? Is it well-designed as a living space to accommodate seniors? Explain.

How is the senior center funded?

Who administers the programs? Are social workers involved? If so, how?

What are the requirements for who can receive services or participate in activities? Are there groups that might face challenges accessing center services? If so, explain.

Do you think the center meets the needs and interests of the intended service population? Explain. If not, what changes could be implemented to better meet needs and interests? 

Are services designed to build on the strengths and assets of the service population?

Describe a local, state and federal level policy that has an impact on service accessibility and service delivery for seniors.  

A local homeless shelter serving families.  

What supports or services are available for families?

What programs are available to help families find and sustain permanent housing?

What does the shelter look like? Is it well-designed as a living space to accommodate families? Explain.

Is there a waiting list to receive services? What are the requirements for staying at the shelter? Are there time limits on how long families can stay in the shelter?

How is the shelter funded?

Who administers and manages the shelter? Is there adequate staffing? Are social workers involved? Explain.

Do you think the center meets the needs and interests of the intended service population? Explain. If not, what changes could be implemented to better meet needs and interests? 

Are services designed to build on the strengths and assets of the service population?

Describe a local, state and federal level policy that has an impact on service accessibility and service delivery for families experiencing economic hardship.

Now that you have visited or contacted one of the community organizations, reflect on your observations and impressions. Are their policies and requirements appropriate, given the research on the topic? How helpful do you feel these benefits and services are to addressing the needs of the targeted population? What are the needs, strengths and assets of the community organization you visited? 

Lastly, refer to Social Work Disposition #1: Value: Service; Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems ?in your report.

Chapter Book:

Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy: Advancing Social Justice Through Eight Policy Sectors

Read Chapters 8 and 9 from Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy: Advancing Social Justice Through Eight Policy Sectors.

t Socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Policy-Issues.

https://impactpsf.org/news-issues/

Pew Research.