Sometimes, during heated discussions and debates about social policy, the underlying reasons for the policy go unnoticed. Advocates and policymakers may become so committed to their perspectives and to winning the debates that they lose focus on the larger context surrounding an issue. The purpose of policy is to improve the lives and well-being of individuals and groups in our society. As you assume the role of a social work policymaker, consider the importance of keeping the needs and experiences of vulnerable populations at the forefront of your mind in your advocacy efforts. This can help to assure effective policy practice.

For this Assignment, you will analyze a state, federal, or global social welfare policy that affects an at-risk, marginalized, oppressed, underrepresented, or over looked group population. Finally, consider the impact of social policy from the perspective of the group you selected.

By Day 7

Assignment (5-7 double-spaced pages, APA format). In addition to a minimum of eight scholarly references, which may include electronic government documents and reputable websites, your paper should include:

A description of the current policy approach for addressing the social issue you selected
A description of the current policy goals for addressing the social issue you selected
A description of the population the current policy approach covers
An explanation of the funding levels for the current policy approach and whether they are sufficient to address the issue
An explanation of how this policy may affect at-risk, marginalized, underrepresented, overlooked, or oppressed populations. Identify a specific at-risk population.
An analysis of whether or not the policy meets the needs of the population groups most affected by the policy.
Recommendations for alternative policies that would address the gaps identified in the policy. Please be specific in recommendations.

Solution:

Social Issue: Child-Abuse and Neglect

Social policies are very essential in addressing social issues that face different population groups. The social issue identified is child abuse and neglect. Collectively recognized as child maltreatment, child abuse and neglect is described as actions or omissions of a caregiver or a parent resulting in far-reaching harm to the affected child (Garbarino, 2017). According to the United States Census Bureau (2018), at least one in every four children has experiences child abuse or neglect at some of the point of their lives. The repercussions of child abuse and neglect are usually long-term and pervasive in that children who become victims have considerably higher possibilities of engaging in risky behaviors during adolescence which leads to poor health status in adulthood including psychological problems such as depression, substance abuse, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Teicher & Samson, 2016). Public health advocates, policy makers, and community leaders have continuously implemented successful strategies including policies and programs toward the prevention of child abuse and neglect. On this basis, this paper seeks to describe the current policy approach and policy goals for addressing child abuse and neglect, population covered by the policy, the funding levels of the policy and whether they are sufficient, the influence of the policy to an identified at-risk population, an analysis of whether the policy needs of the affected population, and specific recommendation for alternative policies for addressing child abuse and neglect.

Current Policy Approach for Addressing Child Abuse

The factors that protect or place the children at risk for abuse and neglect are of a complex nature and thus, experts recommend the public to approach the prevention policies such as Early Childhood Home Visiting and Early Head Start in a careful and a comprehensive approach (Horan & Widom, 2015). Currently, the main federal policy that addresses child abuse and neglect is the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) which has funded states, public agencies, tribal organizations, and also no-profit organizations since 1974 for the purpose of addressing child abuse and neglect (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2017). Title II of CAPTA delivers the Community Based Grants aimed at preventing Child Abuse or Neglect by…Please click the Paypal icon below to purchase full solution for only $10