Unit 7   Top of Form Bottom of Form PRINT Analyzing Finances: Paying for Social Welfare Policies and Programs INTRODUCTION In this unit, you will explore the world of funding

Unit 7

• PRINT
• Analyzing Finances: Paying for Social Welfare Policies and Programs

INTRODUCTION

In this unit, you will explore the world of funding. Without funding, there are no services addressing the considerable and various human needs of a community. But funding alone is not the only requirement for program success; social programs must pass the tests of adequacy, equity, and efficiency. You will explore and critique sources of social welfare funding.

Social workers must be knowledgeable about funding sources to support programs that enhance human well-being and meet basic human needs. This knowledge enables social workers to advocate and apply for funding to enhance existing services and create new services.

OBJECTIVES

To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

• 1. Provide alternative solutions for the policy and chosen population within a social or theoretical framework.
  2. Recommend a new policy or revision to the current policy, including rationale from a strengths-based and empowerment perspective.
•  

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

[u07s1] Unit 7 Study 1

Studies

Readings

Use your Social Policy and Social Programs text to complete the following:

• • Read Chapter 7, "How Do We Pay for Social Welfare Policies and Programs?" pages 139–157.

Use the Capella Library to complete the following:

• • Hasenfeld, Y., & Garrow, E. E. (2012). Nonprofit human-service organizations, social rights, and advocacy in a neoliberal welfare state. Social Service Review, 86(2), 295–322.
  • Lipsky, M. (1984). Bureaucratic disentitlement in social welfare programs [PDF]. Social Service Review, 3–27.
    • This article provides historical context.

UNIT 7 ASSGINMENT 1

[u07a1] Unit 7 Assignment 1

Eligibility Criteria

Assignment Overview

When examining eligibility rules, a social worker looks for an alignment between the rules and the conceptualization of the social problem the policy or program is meant to address. Additionally, when analyzing policies and programs, they look for potential problems that eligibility criteria might introduce, such as "stigma, alienation, off-targeting of benefits, overwhelming costs, over-utilization and under-utilization, political interference, and negative incentives and disincentives" (Chambers & Bonk, 2013, p. 106). These issues represent potential problems that undermine policy and program functionality (Chambers & Bonk, 2013, p.106). Notice that the presence of any one of the problems mentioned by Chambers and Bonk can work against the adequacy, equity, and efficiency of a policy or program.

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following competencies and behaviors:

• • Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
    • C3.GP.A: Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels.
      • Related Assignment Criteria:
        • Discuss how the potential policy change would advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
        • Explain how and why potential policy changes would advance social well-being.
        •  

Assignment Description

In this assignment, you will analyze the eligibility criteria of an entitlement program, evaluate the impact of these criteria, and consider how potential changes might serve social well-being.

Assignment Instructions

For this assignment, complete the following:

• • Explain an entitlement program and analyze its eligibility criteria.
  • Using the list from Chambers and Bonk, explain the potential problems the specific eligibility criteria might introduce and confirm if any of these problems applies to the program that you have identified. These potential problems include:
    • Stigma.
    • Alienation.
    • Off-targeting of benefits.
    • Overwhelming costs.
    • Overutilization and underutilization.
    • Political interference.
    • Negative incentives and disincentives.
  • Analyze any alterations in the eligibility criteria that could potentially reduce or eliminate the identified problems.
  • Explain how and why potential policy changes would advance social well-being.
  • Discuss how the potential policy change would advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.

Reference

Chambers, D. E., & Bonk, J. F. (2013). Social policy and social programs: A method for the practical public policy analyst (6th ed.). Pearson.

Submission Requirements

The assignment you submit is expected to meet the following requirements:

• • Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards.
  • Length of paper: 3–5 double-spaced pages.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
  • Due date: Assignment must be submitted to your instructor in the courseroom no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday of this week.

View the scoring guide for this assignment to ensure to fulfill all grading criteria.

Resources

• • Eligibility Criteria Scoring Guide.
  • APA Style and Format.
  • Capella Library.
  • Capella Writing Center.
  • Nonprofit Human-Service Organizations, Social Rights, and Advocacy in a Neoliberal Welfare State.