Dimensions of Choice Policy Analysis Paper

POLICY ANALYSIS (60 points)

This is a group assignment. The instructor will use Moodle to randomly assign groups.

The instructor will also assign each group a topic, but it will be the group’s responsibility

to identify and discuss a policy related to the topic.

Group Work:

It is your responsibility to alert the instructor of any concerns with the group. Each group

member will complete a peer evaluation form and upload in a separate Assignment link.

Points can be deducted (at the discretion of the instructor) for poor peer evaluations. You

should respond to group members’ correspondence within 24 hours. You should start on

this assignment as soon as groups are formed.

Make sure you are:

Using APA format

Turning in an APA title page and reference list

Citing all sources

Not using Wikipedia

Writing a paper that flows and does not indicate that a group wrote the paper

The paper should:

Be between 6-8 pages of text (references, tables, or figures are not included in page limit)

Have a minimum of 8 references (5 of these should come from peer-reviewed journals

and the rest should come from books, government reports, and working papers at

educational institution or think tanks)

Have an Appendix with one table/figure to represent mode of finance

This assignment uses Gilbert & Terrell’s (2013) Dimension of Choice Framework to

analyze a social welfare policy. It involves the description of a current or formally

proposed policy in terms of four “dimensions” of choice: “bases of allocation, types of

provisions, strategies of delivery, and modes of finance” (Gilbert & Terrell, p. 65). Refer

to the text to help you complete this assignment thoroughly. It includes discussions of all

relevant concepts and provides many examples. Incorporating current legislative

involvement pertaining to the policy is strongly suggested.

Required Paper Content (Use the underlined items as subheadings in your paper.)

1. Policy

Identify the policy you are analyzing and the problem it attempts to address. Cite

the formal name and enabling legislation and provide relevant Internet links.

2. Bases of Allocation

a. Is allocation universal or selective?

b. Which social values are reflected: cost effectiveness or social

effectiveness?

c. Which theories and assumptions underlie how money and/or services are

allocated?

3. Types of Provision

a. Which range of provision alternatives are used (cash, in-kind, vouchers)?

b. Which theories and assumptions underlie how services are provided?

4. Delivery Strategies

a. Which delivery strategies are used: public, private (non-profit), faith-

based, commercial?

b. Which (if any) strategies are used to promote

i. Coherence and accessibility?

ii. Cost control?

iii. Cultural competency?

c. Which social values, theories and assumptions underlie how services are

delivered?

5. Modes of Finance

a. What are the sources of funds are used?

b. Are there contributions or fees?

c. Which system of transfer is used?

d. Which types of conditions are imposed (program, financial, beneficiary,

procedural)?

6. Social Work Values and Ethics

a. Provide your own assessment of how this policy reflects or is in conflict

with social work values and ethics. Consider allocation, provision, and

delivery and finance aspects.

7. Conclusion

8. Appendix

One table or figure to represent mode of finance

Rubric

Description Points

Covered all points of assignment

• Has subheadings

• Clear understanding and presentation of the four dimensions of choice

40

Succinct reporting with minimal grammatical errors 10

References are in APA format 10