The eight principles to analyze social policy are used to set a foundation for change to create more effective social policies and programs. In social policy analysis, the principles of strengths perspective policy are used to consider the needs, strengths, goals, and community resources of the target population rather than the social problem. Once the focus is taken off of the social problem a policy can be created that is a solution to the needs of the population instead of attempting to end a social problem. The eight principles to analyze social policy will be used as tool to gain knowledge on the target populations needs and to guide my social policy analysis to create more effective social policies that will meet the needs of the population.
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policies with the strengths perspective in mind is becoming more popular than what it has been in the past. Not all U.S. policies are written with the strengths perspective, but there are many that are and many that are being changed to fit the criteria of the strengths perspective. The principles of strengths perspective policy states “The strengths and goals of your clients are legitimate starting places in developing social policy. Problems and deficits should not be given center stage” (Chapin, 2014). This is a weakness that is visible in U.S. policy writing. Many policies are written focused on the problems and deficits of the target population. On the other hand, there has been improvement in the policy writing area that addresses the principles of strengths perspective policy number 4 that states “Claims for benefits and services that allow people to overcome these additional barriers are made based on the right to equal access to resources and opportunities to meet needs and reach goals for citizens regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics that have been the basis for denying access” (Chapin, 2014). The U.S. has not mastered equality based on these characteristics, but there has been great …show more content…
I would get the clients involved in social policy by empowering the client and focusing on the client’s perspective of their needs, goals, and strengths. The ease or difficulty of including the client will depend of the rapport that I have built with the client and the client’s understanding, ability, and desire to change their own circumstances and their community. Beyond that, I would also turn the focus from the deficits of the client and community to the needs, strengths, and available resources of the client and community to encourage incorporation of the strengths-based principles in social policy. Encouraging others to apply the strengths-based principles in social policy may very well be difficult because of the fact that social policy has been based on the deficits of a target population rather than the strengths of a population in the past. Just as change can be uncomfortable and difficult for clients it can be just as uncomfortable and difficult for professionals, but leading by example is a way to considerably encourage
policies with the strengths perspective in mind is becoming more popular than what it has been in the past. Not all U.S. policies are written with the strengths perspective, but there are many that are and many that are being changed to fit the criteria of the strengths perspective. The principles of strengths perspective policy states “The strengths and goals of your clients are legitimate starting places in developing social policy. Problems and deficits should not be given center stage” (Chapin, 2014). This is a weakness that is visible in U.S. policy writing. Many policies are written focused on the problems and deficits of the target population. On the other hand, there has been improvement in the policy writing area that addresses the principles of strengths perspective policy number 4 that states “Claims for benefits and services that allow people to overcome these additional barriers are made based on the right to equal access to resources and opportunities to meet needs and reach goals for citizens regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics that have been the basis for denying access” (Chapin, 2014). The U.S. has not mastered equality based on these characteristics, but there has been great …show more content…
I would get the clients involved in social policy by empowering the client and focusing on the client’s perspective of their needs, goals, and strengths. The ease or difficulty of including the client will depend of the rapport that I have built with the client and the client’s understanding, ability, and desire to change their own circumstances and their community. Beyond that, I would also turn the focus from the deficits of the client and community to the needs, strengths, and available resources of the client and community to encourage incorporation of the strengths-based principles in social policy. Encouraging others to apply the strengths-based principles in social policy may very well be difficult because of the fact that social policy has been based on the deficits of a target population rather than the strengths of a population in the past. Just as change can be uncomfortable and difficult for clients it can be just as uncomfortable and difficult for professionals, but leading by example is a way to considerably encourage