Policy Analysis

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Remember that the feasibility of a policy relates not only to its economic feasibility but also to its political and social impact. You will also identify the policy constraints that inhibit the policy from most effectively reaching your targeted population.

Continue to consult the United States Congress website, the Government Accountability Office, public policy analysis research and reports, and other peer-reviewed research to support your analysis. Also, use the NASW Code of Ethics web page to guide your analysis.

CSWE EPAS Competency 5: Engage in policy practice.
C5.GP.A: Use social justice, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lenses to assess how social welfare policies affect the delivery of and access to social services.
Related assignment criterion:
Analyze the development of the chosen policy.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy with respect to the target population.
Evaluate the feasibility of the policy.
Identify the policy constraints that inhibit the policy from fully addressing the problem for the chosen population.
Assignment Instructions
For this assignment:
Analyze the development of your chosen policy.
Analyze the historical background that led to the development of the policy.
Define the goals of the policy and how these goals are intended to be met, including services and programs intended to achieve the goals.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy with respect to the target population.
Consider how well the policy has met the needs of your target population and to what extent it improves the social justice problem you initially researched. Does the policy seem to ignore, impede, or strengthen the social functioning of the target population?
To what extent does the policy meet or improve the social values of the target population?
To what extent does the policy adhere to best practice ethics and best practice standards?

Sample Solution

Policy Analysis: Expanding Access to Affordable Mental Health Services for Low-Income Adults

Target Population: Low-income adults (18-64 years old) living below the federal poverty line.

Historical Background: The mental health needs of low-income individuals have long been neglected. Limited access to affordable mental health services has resulted in a significant gap in healthcare. Early efforts to address this issue included the establishment of community mental health centers in the 1960s, followed by Medicaid expansions and mental health parity laws.

Policy Goals and Services:

  • Increase access to affordable mental health services by:
    • Expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health services.
    • Offering tax credits for mental health treatment costs.
    • Increasing funding for community mental health centers.
    • Addressing the mental health workforce shortage through scholarships and loan forgiveness programs.
  • Reduce stigma associated with mental health by:
    • Public awareness campaigns.
    • Educational initiatives in schools and workplaces.

Evaluation of Effectiveness:

Studies on the effectiveness of expanded mental health coverage have yielded mixed results. While some evidence suggests improvements in access and utilization of services, others highlight persistent disparities for low-income individuals. Factors contributing to this include:

  • Complexity of navigating the mental health system.
  • Limited availability of culturally competent providers.
  • Geographic barriers to accessing services.
  • Stigma surrounding mental health.

Policy Constraints:

  • Economic Feasibility: Expanding access requires significant financial resources. During times of economic hardship, allocating funds for mental health programs can be challenging.
  • Political Will: Obtaining political support for increased social spending can be difficult. The issue can be politically polarizing.
  • Workforce Shortage: There is a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in underserved areas.

 

Social Stigma: Stigma associated with mental illness can lead to underutilization of services.

 

Social Justice Concerns:

The current system disproportionately disadvantages low-income individuals, who often face challenges accessing quality mental health care. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty, job instability, and health problems. Expanding access to affordable mental health services aligns with the NASW Code of Ethics principles of promoting social justice and the human right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Conclusion:

While existing policies have made some progress in increasing access to mental health services for low-income adults, significant gaps remain. Multifaceted approaches that address economic feasibility, political will, workforce shortages, and social stigma are crucial in achieving lasting improvements. Social workers play a vital role in advocating for policy changes, promoting access to mental health care, and addressing the needs of this vulnerable population.

Additional Resources:

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

 

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