HSER 201 Final Study Guide 2023 with complete solution
Significance of Social Policy
Considered too complex by many to be included in introductory courses; however, it is
the most appropriate. Without it, human services workers cannot appreciate the
significant impact it has on the design and delivery of services.
Definition of Social Policy
Refers primarily to guidelines, principles, legislation, and activities that affect the living
conditions conducive to human welfare; the part of public policy that has to do with
social issues; public policy and practice in the areas of health care, human services,
criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor (Malcolm Weiner Center). All viewed as
plans of action and strategies for providing services.
Social Policy:
1) Is problem oriented
2) Is action oriented
3) Is focused on individuals or groups
4) Involves making choices about changes
Social Policies in Preliterate Societies
Plans for survival that ensured food, shelter, and protection against predators, hostile
groups, and hostile environments; physical survival was the goal; depended on
family/tribe.
Social Policy in Modern Times
Morality is supposedly a basis for social welfare policies, but this value is always in
competition with other political and economic values. Governments have had to step in
to develop and implement programs to prevent starvation and to provide opportunities
for individuals to gain resources for an adequate life.
2 Basic Types of Effort:
1) Government subsidy - welfare; attempts to provide decent food, shelter, clothing, and
other necessities of life to individuals who cannot obtain or accept employment.
2) Attempt to provide training and jobs for those who are able to work.
These efforts seem to satisfy few.
"those vital paupers"
unemployment rate dropped 4% in 2000 without causing inflation.
The purpose of social policy put simply:
To improve the lives of people.
Most Familiar type of Social Policy
Social welfare policy.
Other policies include housing policy, mental health policy, child welfare policy, and
unemployment policy.
Maslow's Hierarchy
Physiological needs, safety needs
Miller believes the goals of economic and social policies should be the same:
Essentially a pro-employment, pro-poor policy
It is inevitable that:
, Policies are in competition with one another
First Step in Social Policy Formation
To identify unmet needs
Problems:
Which needs are the most important?
Society is in a constant state of change
Don't some social problems change without intervention?
Who Identifies Social Problems?
Politicians, private citizens, human services workers
Harold McPheeters
One of the pioneers in the field of human services.
"Thus for self interest alone, human services educators must be involved in public policy
and politics related to human services...should be involved in helping key government
officials make better policy decisions for human services."
4 Prevalent Reasons for Lack of Needed Services
1) Might not be the resources in the community to provide the needed service.
2) Resources might be available in the community, but the individuals in need might not
be aware of their existence.
3) Even if the resources are known, those in need might not know how to use such
resources.
4) Those in need might not be eligible for the services (due to age, sex, race, income-
level, neighborhood, etc.).
Worker's main role may be:
supplying the needed information to those seeking the services.
Second Step of Social Policy Formation
To inform others about the situation.
The hope is to mobilize as much strength as possible in the effort to obtain the needed
service.
Policy Advocacy
A form of advocacy that deals with social policy; unique opportunity to develop a
significant voice in constructing state social welfare policy.
Decision Makers
Board members, executive directors of voluntary agencies, legislators (Mostly amateurs
and part-time)
Those who are the principal recipients of welfare policies
are rarely involved in making welfare decisions
Opportunities for initiating programs
occur more frequently on the local level than on the state or federal levels
Basic sources of information
studies, surveys, experiments, reports, and records
Data is
gathered, examined, interpreted, discussed, and presented to the executive and board
directors
Mental Health Centers Act of 1963
Significance of Social Policy
Considered too complex by many to be included in introductory courses; however, it is
the most appropriate. Without it, human services workers cannot appreciate the
significant impact it has on the design and delivery of services.
Definition of Social Policy
Refers primarily to guidelines, principles, legislation, and activities that affect the living
conditions conducive to human welfare; the part of public policy that has to do with
social issues; public policy and practice in the areas of health care, human services,
criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor (Malcolm Weiner Center). All viewed as
plans of action and strategies for providing services.
Social Policy:
1) Is problem oriented
2) Is action oriented
3) Is focused on individuals or groups
4) Involves making choices about changes
Social Policies in Preliterate Societies
Plans for survival that ensured food, shelter, and protection against predators, hostile
groups, and hostile environments; physical survival was the goal; depended on
family/tribe.
Social Policy in Modern Times
Morality is supposedly a basis for social welfare policies, but this value is always in
competition with other political and economic values. Governments have had to step in
to develop and implement programs to prevent starvation and to provide opportunities
for individuals to gain resources for an adequate life.
2 Basic Types of Effort:
1) Government subsidy - welfare; attempts to provide decent food, shelter, clothing, and
other necessities of life to individuals who cannot obtain or accept employment.
2) Attempt to provide training and jobs for those who are able to work.
These efforts seem to satisfy few.
"those vital paupers"
unemployment rate dropped 4% in 2000 without causing inflation.
The purpose of social policy put simply:
To improve the lives of people.
Most Familiar type of Social Policy
Social welfare policy.
Other policies include housing policy, mental health policy, child welfare policy, and
unemployment policy.
Maslow's Hierarchy
Physiological needs, safety needs
Miller believes the goals of economic and social policies should be the same:
Essentially a pro-employment, pro-poor policy
It is inevitable that:
, Policies are in competition with one another
First Step in Social Policy Formation
To identify unmet needs
Problems:
Which needs are the most important?
Society is in a constant state of change
Don't some social problems change without intervention?
Who Identifies Social Problems?
Politicians, private citizens, human services workers
Harold McPheeters
One of the pioneers in the field of human services.
"Thus for self interest alone, human services educators must be involved in public policy
and politics related to human services...should be involved in helping key government
officials make better policy decisions for human services."
4 Prevalent Reasons for Lack of Needed Services
1) Might not be the resources in the community to provide the needed service.
2) Resources might be available in the community, but the individuals in need might not
be aware of their existence.
3) Even if the resources are known, those in need might not know how to use such
resources.
4) Those in need might not be eligible for the services (due to age, sex, race, income-
level, neighborhood, etc.).
Worker's main role may be:
supplying the needed information to those seeking the services.
Second Step of Social Policy Formation
To inform others about the situation.
The hope is to mobilize as much strength as possible in the effort to obtain the needed
service.
Policy Advocacy
A form of advocacy that deals with social policy; unique opportunity to develop a
significant voice in constructing state social welfare policy.
Decision Makers
Board members, executive directors of voluntary agencies, legislators (Mostly amateurs
and part-time)
Those who are the principal recipients of welfare policies
are rarely involved in making welfare decisions
Opportunities for initiating programs
occur more frequently on the local level than on the state or federal levels
Basic sources of information
studies, surveys, experiments, reports, and records
Data is
gathered, examined, interpreted, discussed, and presented to the executive and board
directors
Mental Health Centers Act of 1963
