HSM 240 (checkpoints and assignments)

Week One: Origins of Social Policy and Programs

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

1.1  Explain the application of problem analysis categories to social problems.

1.2  Identify contemporary social problems locally and nationally.

Course Preparation

Read the course description and objectives.

Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.

Readings

Read Appendix A.

Read Ch. 1–2 of Social Policy and Social Programs.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

08/18/13

Discussion Questions

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

See Course Calendar

CheckPoint

Social Problems

Write three separate paragraphs addressing the following:

·         Write definitions for the words problem, policy, and program, within the context of human services. Then, give a brief example for each definition.

·         Make a list of five to seven social problems that you consider most critical for the United States to address. Write one to two sentences describing the extent of each social problem.

·         Locate an agency or organization that addresses one of the above social problems. You must use this same agency throughout the course, so select one that is interesting to you and that has enough public information, online or on site, that you may eventually analyze the entire agency and its programs. For example, choosing a street-front church that collects and delivers clothing for the poor will probably not have enough information for you to analyze. An established nonprofit or government organization, however, may have sufficient information on its website. Provide an overview of the agency. Include the link if you found it on the Internet.

08/16/13

Week Two: The Legislative Role

2   

2.1  Justify judicial decisions.

2.2  Summarize the judiciary’s role in shaping public policy.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

Court Decisions

Resource: Electronic Reserve Readings

Review one of the three Electronic Reserve Readings for this week.

Explain why you agree or disagree with the decision in your chosen Electronic Reserve Reading.

Provide specific examples or reasons for your opinion, such as outcomes, figures, statistics, and facts.

08/23/13

Individual

The Role of Government in Policy-Making

Resource: Ch. 2 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you summarize legislative tasks and the overall role of the judiciary in shaping public policy. For the same agency or organization you chose previously, describe the laws and judicial decisions that influence how the organization operates. Answer the following questions in your paper:

·         How do these laws influence the organization’s decision-making and its day-to-day operations?

·         What role has the court system or law played in shaping policies that affect this particular agency or organization?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.

08/25/13

100

Week Three: Value-Critical Approach to Social Methods

3   

3.1  Describe the elements used to analyze social policies and programs.

3.2  Analyze social policies and programs using the fundamental elements.

Read Ch. 3 & 4 of Social Policy and Social Programs.

09/01/13

Policy Elements

Resource: Ch. 3 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 300-word analysis of a program sponsored by the same agency or organization you used in the Week One CheckPoint. Use the six fundamental policy elements described in Ch. 3 as a guide. Keep in mind that a mission is different from goals and objectives. A mission is a statement of what the program is, why it exists, and the contributions it can make. It is usually short and concise, and describes a program’s reason for existing or its primary concern.

08/30/13

Week Four: Analyzing Public Policy

Goals and Objectives

4   

4.1  Describe how human service agencies determine their goals and objectives.

4.2  Appraise the goals and objectives of human service agencies.

Sentence Outline

Resource: Ch. 4 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a sentence outline describing how an agency determines goals and objectives. Instead of listing short topics and phrases as you would in a general outline, write all main points and supporting details in complete sentences so that your thoughts are clear and thorough.

09/06/13

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you evaluate the goals and objectives for the same agency or organization you chose previously. Using the criteria from Ch. 4, address the following:

·         Does the organization explain its goals and objectives clearly? Explain your answer.

·         Are the goals and objectives long term or short term?

·         Are the goals and objectives manifest or latent?

·         How do you know which are objectives and which are goals?

·         Evaluate the agency’s goals and objectives for one of its specific programs.

 Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Post your paper as an attachment.

09/08/13

Week Five: Benefits and Services

5   

5.1  Identify examples of the major forms of benefits and services human services provide.

5.2  Evaluate benefits and services human service agencies.

Read Ch. 5 & 6 of Social Policy and Social Programs.

09/15/13

Benefit Types

Resources: Ch. 5 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 300-word summary evaluating the benefit types and services of the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

Use the criteria for evaluating benefits and services, located on pp. 96-107 of the text.

09/13/13

Week Six:

Eligibility Rules

6   

6.1  Contrast the eligibility rules for different human service agencies.

6.2  Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of eligibility rules used by human service agencies

Resource: Ch. 6 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Create a table comparing and contrasting the eligibility rules of two different agencies that offer the same type of program. Refer to Table 6.1 on p. 117 of the text.

Select one government agency and either a private or faith-based agency that offers a program for the homeless. Do not select the same agency you chose to analyze throughout the course.

Write a brief summary of what you consider the key differences between the eligibility rules of the two agencies.

Post your table as an attachment.

09/20/13

Evaluating Eligibility Rules

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you analyze eligibility rules for the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

·         Based on pp. 110-118 of the text, what are the types of eligibility rules utilized by the agency?

·         Do you notice any possible stigmatization or off-targeted benefits?

·         Do you notice any trade-offs, such as overwhelming costs, overutilization, or underutilization? Explain your answer.

·         Do you notice any weak rules? Explain your answer.

·         In your judgment, are the eligibility rules fair and sufficient? Explain your answer.

 Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Post your paper as an attachment.

09/22/13

Week Seven: Delivery of Social Goods

7   

7.1  Outline theory, design, and specification of social programs.

7.2  Compare and contrast the types of delivery systems for different human service agencies.

Read Ch. 7 & 8 of Social Policy and Social Programs.

09/29/13

Theory, Design, and Specification

Resource: Ch. 7 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Pretend you are in charge of creating a new social program. Money for funding is not an issue.

Outline, in approximately 300 words, the theory, design, and specification of the program you would create. Refer to p. 144 of the text for an example. Remember that, generally, a theory is a group or set of interrelated ideas thought to explain the causes and effects of a specific problem.

Justify your decision for choosing to create that particular social program.

09/27/13

Week Eight: Financing Social Problems

8   

8.1  Identify the sources of funding for social programs.

8.2  Describe how taxes are used to fund social insurance programs.

Private Funds

Identify a privately funded human service agency. Do not use the same agency you chose to analyze throughout the course.

Describe, in 200 to 300 words, the social problem the agency addresses and a program it utilizes to address that problem. How does this private agency fund or intend to fund the program? Describe what the agency must do to obtain continued funding.

10/02/13

Social Insurance

Resource: Ch. 8 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Summarize, in 200 to 300 words, how social insurance is used to fund public programs. What are the benefits and drawbacks of government funding? How are those benefits and drawbacks exhibited in social programs such as Medicare, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation?

10/04/13

Finances

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper evaluating the financial aspects of the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

·         How does the organization fund its programs?

·         How reliable are the organization’s funding sources?

·         Does the organization implement financial accountability measures to ensure that funds are being used properly?

·         What questions might you ask the agency if you had donated a large sum of money and wanted to know how your money was being used?

Format you paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.

10/06/13

Week Nine:

Creating a Social Program

9   

9.1  Develop proposals for the creation of social programs.

Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements.

10/13/13

Capstone Discussion Question

Respond to the capstone discussion question.

·         What parts of this course did you find most valuable? Describe the two things you found most interesting. What aspects of this course will help you the most in your future studies and career?

10/09/13

Final Project

Creating a Social Program

Complete your 1,750- to 2,100-word final proposal paper. Refer to Appendix A for project requirements.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Include at least three sources.

Post your paper as an attachment.

240