Overview
The purpose of this first assignment is to demonstrate that you have considered the multiple factors that impact the definition of a social problem and that you are building your case statement by making a compelling argument that the social problem that you have defined should be elevated to the level of a social problem that requires program and service intervention.
Remember that how the problem is named or defined determines how the solutions are formulated and implemented. Therefore, it is important to first clearly define the problem in a manner that develops consensus regarding the need to do something to improve or ameliorate the problem. This definition of the problem will include the consideration of multiple and sometimes biased perspectives from multiple sources: e.g. World Health Organization, Healthy People 2020, government standards, scholarly literature. To make a compelling argument that something needs to be done, you will need to provide data that demonstrates the demographics of those effected by the problem and the impact of the problem on the target population and society as a whole.
By clearly defining the various population groups – general population, at-risk population, target population, consumer population – you are defining the groups that are most impacted by the problem and you are providing the demographics that describe the unique characteristics of this population. Remember, how you identify and name the target and consumer population will guide the program design to ensure that the services are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs as identified by the consumers.
As we have discussed during the first four weeks of this course, the problems that you will address as a planner are complex and have multiple contributing factors. To clearly demonstrate your understanding of the complexity of the problem, you will need to present and analyze the causal chain as a prerequisite to later determining where in the chain of contributing factors you will intervene. Finally, you will demonstrate that you have considered the potential factors that influence the way this problem is perceived and defined: values and ideology and the potential resistance to change from those who fear a potential loss (influence, power, resources) if the problem is addressed.
This exercise will also provide you as the planner with the potential utilization data required to determine the necessary capacity of the program and services to meet the expressed need by the consumer population. To demonstrate that the data is reliable, the first task is to articulate the methodology used to gather and analyze the data. It is important to discuss any discrepancies between the population data and the need data.
Directions
Always start your paper with an introduction section, conclude your paper with a conclusion section, cite scholarly resources and include references (at least 5 to 7) outside of your textbook.
In 7 to 10 pages adhering to APA 7th edition requirements and references, complete the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the Problem
- First, define the problem in a specific and clear tone, and stating with common language. To define the problem, be sure to answer the following:
- Does the definition reveal bias of some type?
- State why you chose this definition.
- Next, address the magnitude of the problem via the utilization of research statistics that identify the following criterion:
- Demographics of those affected.
- Impact (how much are they affected).
- Costs to the individual and/or society.
- Identify the causes and consequences
Identify the causes and consequences of the problem by addressing the following items:
- Identify and detail the major causes and contributing factors.
- Identify and detail the interrelated Factors and Causal Chain (“domino effect”).
- Identify and detail the consequences (what are the problems caused by this problem).
Step 2: Needs Assessment & Population Description
- General Population:
- Define the geographical region for your problem definition and program
- Support the selection of the proposed geographic parameters defined
- Discuss and provide prevalence data that will be applied to this general population
B. The At-Risk Population:
- Indicate the number of at-risk persons and describe the demographic characteristics of this population
- Provide census data, prevalence data, and/or statistical abstracts from scholarly journals to support your description of the scope of the problem. Be sure to identify the source(s) of the data.
C. The Target Population:
- Describe the target population who are impacted by the problem and may be potential consumers
- Be specific regarding the number of potential clients in the define geographic area.
D. The Consumer Population:
- Describe the people you expect to serve. How will they be identified and selected from the target population?
- Be specific re: the number of clients to be served as this determines your program capacity and the staff resources required for service delivery.
- Provide the program capacity (how many clients can be served by the
program simultaneously). Provide the anticipated length of stay. Provide the total number of clients to be served on an annual basis.
E. In a graphic or narrative format depending upon the locations/geographic areas being compared, provide the following:
- Normative Need
- Perceived Need
- Expressed Need
- Relative Need (this may be provided in a separate graphic or narrative format depending upon the locations/geographic areas being compared.
- Discuss the consistency or variance of data contained in the “population funnel” compared to the three times of need included in section E.
Step 3: Describe the methodology utilized for gathering the data for describing the need.
- You may have used multiple data sources and methods; be specific in identifying the sources and the analysis approach used. (e.g. extrapolation of data from existing sources, resource inventory, service statistics, social survey, key informant survey, public forum, other source, or combination)
- Explain why you chose this particular method of data collection.
- Discuss the strengths and limitations of the method(s) used.
Step 4: Formulate values and ideology
Identify the values and ideology of the problem by answering the following:
- First, identify and detail the range of values of stakeholders
- Own values, ideology, biases related to the problem.
- Broad Societal Values related to the problem.
- Local/community values related to the problem.
- Values of target population related to the problem.
- Next, discuss how values are consistent, different, or conflictual for the above.
Step 5: Distinguishing your gainers and losers (Collaborators and Distractors)
Conclude your paper by identifying all interested groups or “stakeholders”/constituencies in your problem area. This section should include an identification of “gainers” and “losers” such as:
- Economic, social, emotional, etc.
- Consider both overt and covert.
Note that Rubrics are Listed
| Assignment 1: Social Problem Analysis & Needs Assessment | ||||
| Criteria | Rating | Points 20 | ||
| Exemplary (4 points) | Good (2 points) | Unacceptable (0 points) | ||
| Define the problem | Problem definition clear and concise, data/statistics provided to support need to act. Comprehensive causal chain(s) clearly outlined. Clearly identified consequences of the problem. | Problem definition clear but missing either consideration of bias or one data requirement. Causal chain missing key elements or factors; limited scope of the problems contributing components; or consequences incomplete. | Problem not defined or not clear; no data support for impact of problem. No causal chain outlined or no understanding of the contributing factors. | 4 |
| Needs Assessment (Population Groups, Identified Need & Discrepancies) | Provided definition and data for general population, at-risk population, target population, consumer population. Addressed normative, perceived, expressed and relative need, support with data. Supported discussion of consistency or variance of data contained in the population funnel vs. four types of need. | Provided data for only two or three of the required populations. Addressed only two or three of the needs group; or little data. Inconsistency identified, but not fully discussed or supported. | Did not address population groups and data, or only identified one population group. Addressed less than two need groups; no data. Inconsistency not discussed nor supported. | 4 |
| Methodology Discussed | Clear description of the data source/methodology; justification for choice of method; discussion of strengths/limitations of course of data collection. | Data source not clearly identified/discussed; or missing justification for methodology, or missing discussion of limitations. | Missing two or more components; course of data, justification, or limitations. | 4 |
| Values & Ideology Gainers/Losers | Philosophy and values/ideology discussed for multiple systems: self, society, target population, community. Clearly identified the stakeholders/collaborators who have interest in the problem and potential solutions; identified potential gain/loss for each constituency; anticipated sources of resistance. | Philosophy/ideology not discussed for a major population group or constituency. Key stakeholders/constituencies not discussed; or missing analysis of perceived gains and losses. | Philosophy/values/ideology not discussed or for only one population group. Limited identification of constituencies and/or missing analysis of perceived gains and losses. | 4 |
| Quality of writing & Compelling Argument | The assignment makes a compelling argument for addressing the problem. Writing style is concise, clear, grammatically correct, and consistent with APA style. Required references provided. | Case statement weak and not compelling due to missing assignment components. Writing is clear and concise, but some grammatical errors or minor inconsistency with APA style. Some missing or incomplete references. | Assignment does not make the case for addressing the problem. Frequent grammatical errors, spelling errors and/or writing not clear and concise. Errors significantly distract from content. | 4 |
