Policy Analysis

A social policy analysis is designed to engage in a critical review of the current policy environment and evaluate the impact of policy or a collection of policies. For this assignment, you will complete an ANALYSIS OF A CURRENT BILL INTENDED TO IMPACT A SOCIAL WELFARE PROBLEM. *Identify a bill that was submitted (passed or retired) in a state legislature for 2022 – it must be a STATE BILL. As you are researching and working, consider this larger question “if this bill is passed into law, what would be the impact or result of this decision?” This is an ANALYSIS, so the purpose is to take the research and information and draw professional conclusions that lead to action or decisions. This is NOT A SUMMARY OR DESCRIPTIVE PAPER, which would organize ideas and make a presentation. Be concise, clear, and organized in choosing what to include and how to present the information so that a professional colleague less familiar with the topic will understand it and be persuaded by your analysis and conclusions. The headings and subheadings of the policy should adhere to the guide below. You must utilize at least 15 scholarly and/or credible sources in your policy analysis. (These can be peer-reviewed research, legitimate websites, and/or various policy-oriented texts or reports from government or advocacy organizations). Use APA style to format your paper. Introduction: The introduction should provide the reader with information about the selected bill and the issue it is attempting to address. Because this is an analysis focused on this legislation, it will help situate your writing and make it clear what you are working to accomplish in this analysis. Introduce the legislation you have selected, using the title of the bill and the legislative body it is currently introduced (state, city, bill number, year proposed). Briefly describe the proposed bill and the social problem/issue it is attempting to address or the social problem that may occur as a result of the proposed bill (if you have selected a current bill that you believe would be harmful). Contextual Analysis (6 pages) Describe the current social, political, economic and ideological context of the social welfare issue. Identify and describe economic factors that are contributing to the social welfare problem. Explain how these economic factors can impact policy responses to the problem. Overview Public opinion/social context on the social welfare issue and bill by providing answers to these questions: How does the general public perceive the issue? How is it framed in the media? What are people saying about the issue and policy responses to it? Are there any advocacy positions or efforts for or against for the bill? Describe current programs and services intended to address the social welfare problem. Explain how the bill, if passed, will address the social welfare issue. Identify potential negative consequences of the bill being passed (state comparisons are helpful). Apply ecological systems theory and describe how this macro system intervention (the bill) is intended to affect each level (macrosystem, mesosystem, microsystem). Policy Recommendations (3 pages) Describe policy alternatives and your formal proposal for change. Describe the specific bill or policy change you believe will solve the issue you have defined. No public policy solves a full social problem. This is a section for you to consider what other steps need to be taken or items that could be included in the policy to improve desired outcomes. Overview of policy alternatives that could better achieve the intended outcome. For example, what have other states/locations done? Describe the intended impact(s) for affected individuals and communities of your proposed solution. Make a case that supports your proposed solution as the best option, despite the alternatives (be sure your proposal is economically sound given very limited state dollars). Explain how social work values are embodied in your proposed policy solution. Be sure to provide a conclusion paragraaqwph for the overall analysis.