Part 1B: Policy Analysis
Typically policies are subject to change over time. Policies, however, good or bad are not permanent and there is always an option of changing or altering them in the event that one does not like them. It is at this instance where the option of social change comes in. due to different circumstances and changing environments, there is always the possibility that the applicability of certain public policies become invalid. This therefore necessitates change in the social policies so as to be relevant and applicable in the prevailing situations.
Thus nature of policy to keep changing demands that for one to fully understand the policies, certain key issues must be put into consideration. These key issues include; the people who construct social problems and how the social problems are constructed, how the social problems lead to the formation of social policies which dictates what social workers do, and how social problems change with time. These public policies dictate how workers operate, the behaviors of clients, which clients access the services as well as the nature of services provided. They also determine the goals to be achieved in life. Other contributing factors to the development of public policy are ideology, history, social movements, economics and the politics of the day.
In pre-analysis, there is also some important information to be considered. There are various important questions that have to be answered. These include; who will be affected by the action? What would happen if the action is not taken? Is there any negative results to be expected from such action? How much is the services currently needed and what is the projection of the same? How often does the problem occur and how persistent is it? What are the existing statutes and regulations regarding such policies? It is important to ensure that the importance of social values are put into consideration. The cost of implementation of such policy must also be considered as well as opinions and bills by opposition group, political parties and leaders. The new policy should also be compared to any existing policy.
My family and I have benefitted from various public policies which include, welfare, daycare assistance, food and medical.
Part 2: Agency Experience
I have previously worked with various companies during which I have been able to assist clients in various situations with various needs. My most recent employer is the Blue Water Safe Horizon is a nonprofit organization that has various categories to deal with various social issues. I have been working as a sexual assault advocate and a human traffic grant manager for Blue Water Safe Horizon. In the department I started as an intern in the Domestic violence sector. In my work, I provide services and help to women and their children in a special setting for them. The services are provided on the basis of representation, crisis intervention, crisis management, assessment, case management, and resources. I also operated a hotline which facilitated accessibility to our services. I have gradually rose to become a fulltime employ and currently hold the position of Lead Domestic Violence Advocate. Part of my new job is to guide the department as well as nurture the leadership of the company particularly in the department I head.
As the lead Domestic Violence Advocate I have been able to both the children and women by facilitating Parent Support Groups for the children and also Domestic Violence Support Groups for the women. The services are also available to the men. Our department under my leadership has been able to grow and expand its horizons and boundaries. This has increased its client base to the larger community and is not just limited to our shelter.
We have been able to outreach and cooperate with other outside help agencies in the community. I have gained more responsibilities which has included recruiting new volunteers and interns, supervising the volunteers and interns, continuously assessing the development of the volunteers and interns for the development of both the individual intern as well as the organization at large.
During my time in the company, I have had to handle many problems relating to policy issues. The most recent problem I had to deal with was one relating to the McKinney-Vento Act. This is a federal law which demands for the immediate enrollment and stability of education to for homeless children and youth. It involved an African-American woman who had fled violence in the neighboring county. Two of her children were turned away from a local school when she tried to enroll them in the school. The reason she was given was that the two children were older than those in her grade and therefore they would be a source of trouble. When my colleague and I took up this case our main argument was that the family was being discriminated against because they were not indigenous members of the county, were poor, were African American and were homeless. We managed to get the woman explain her experience during a meeting with the school board, district superintendent, homeless liaison and the principal. We demanded for immediate enrolment of all her children to the school. At the end of the meeting the decision was in the favor of the mother and her children.
I have also worked with many help organizations previously. I volunteered to a children cloth distribution agency as well as worked with various social welfare groups and agencies in the cause of my employment.
References
Weimer, D., & Vinig , A. (2010). Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice. New York: Pearson Inc.
