Stages of Policy Change
Define 'problem identification.'
What is identifying a significant issue and its root cause before proposing solutions.
Define 'agenda setting.'
What is the stage where advocates decide 'what is to be decided' and convince lawmakers to prioritize the issue.
What happens after a bill is passed?
What is implementation begins, but vague language or loopholes may cause issues.
Define 'scientific charity.'
What is a method developed by COS in the 1800s to study and address poverty scientifically.
Define 'social entrepreneurship.
What is applying business strategies to create innovative solutions for social issues.
What roles do social workers play in policy?
What are Advocate, Educator, Organizer.
What % of bills in Congress become law?
What is only about 5–10% of bills introduced in Congress.
Why is it hard for marginalized groups to get on the agenda?
What is limited legislative space and competing issues mean marginalized communities struggle to gain attention.
Define 'policy formulation.'
What is drafting a proposal into a bill or resolution.
Role of COS in 1800s.
What is they organized relief efforts and sought to distinguish 'worthy' from 'unworthy' poor.
Give one example of government-voluntary sector collaboration.
What is partnerships in disaster relief or health services delivery. Or another example.
Define 'secondhand validators.'
What is helping marginalized people amplify their voices in policy spaces.
List the six stages.
What is Problem Identification, Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation, Policy Passage, Policy Implementation, Policy Evaluation.
Give 2 strategies to get on agenda.
What is join advocacy organizations with lobbyists and use media to spotlight issues.
2 types of legislative measures besides bills.
What is concurrent & simple resolutions (symbolic, not laws).
Name a traditional provider in the voluntary sector.
What is religious organizations, settlement houses, or mutual aid societies.
How does the voluntary sector address marginalization.
What is by filling service gaps for groups not well-served by government.
Provide an example of advocacy in action.
What is lobbying for child welfare reform or housing rights.
How can stages overlap in real-world policy?
What is stages often repeat or overlap due to political negotiations, public opinion shifts, or implementation challenges.
What’s a legislative champion?
What is a sponsor who supports and advances your policy proposal.
What 3 questions guide evaluation.
What is 1. Did it work? 2. Did the target population benefit? 3. Were there harmful consequences?
How did philanthropy shape the independent sector.
What is large donations helped expand services beyond government support.
What is one challenge faced today by the voluntary sector?
What is sustainability of funding and reliance on philanthropy.
How do social workers influence agenda-setting?
What is by framing issues and connecting lawmakers with affected communities.
Why is evaluation critical?
What is it determines whether the policy achieved its intended outcomes and identifies unintended consequences.
Example of media influence.
What is news coverage of child abuse or bullying pushed these issues onto the agenda.
Example of unintended policy consequences.
What is Loopholes in healthcare laws leading to uneven coverage or a similar example.
Provide an example of pauperism response.
What is charity societies aimed to eliminate pauperism through structured relief.
What is the role of social justice in the voluntary sector?
What is drives equity-focused programming and advocacy.
Why are social workers essential to bridging voluntary and policy spheres?
What is they bring frontline insights into policy debates and connect communities to systemic change.