Policy Analysis for Social Workers

A step by step guide for social work students, Policy Analysis for Social Workers, is a comprehensive guide to help students understand the process of policy development and analysis so they can become effective advocates. This book begins by laying the foundation of the purpose of policy and how it it relates to social work values. It also discusses the field of policy studies and helps students understand the various kinds of analysis. The next section highlights criteria on evaluating public policy by helping students understand how to define policy limits and uses and how they will most likely be used. It clearly lays out various criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, political feasibility, social acceptability, administrative and technical feasibility) to help students evaluate policy. In addition, the book will cover how to write up a proposal and how to asses the costs and benefits. Finally, the book will use several examples of actual policy to help students apply the concepts in practice.