Social Policy and Social Programs: A Method for the Practical Public Policy Analyst

by Chambers, Donald E.

• ISBN13: 9780205291489
• ISBN10: 0205291481
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This text teaches the basics of social policy and program analysis, as well as teaching how to design new programs or improve existing ones. Students are provided with a history of social problem perspectives as well as social program and policy provisions in Chapter 2. They then learn how to locate important court decisions that shape the way a social program or policy is implemented in Chapter 3. Students also learn evaluative criteria for judging the effectiveness of major policy and program elements in order to evaluate and improve both existing programs and their own work in creating new programs. In this edition, new social programs have been included and existing programs have been updated to include the latest changes. Chapter 11, which provides an example of the analysis of a social program (child welfare), has been completely rewritten and updated.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART ONE Creating the Context for Social Policy Analysis: The Social Problem--Historical and Judicial Contexts	1	(62)
Introduction: The Problem of Policy for Practitioners	1	(6)
1 Analyzing the Social Problem Background of Social Policies and Social Programs	7	(24)
The Nature of Social Problems	7	(1)
Social Problem Analysis	8	(15)
Problem Definition	10	(5)
Causes and Consequences	15	(3)
Ideology and Values	18	(1)
Gainers and Losers	19	(4)
Using the Conclusions of Social Problem Analysis to Design Social Policies and Programs and to Judge their "Fit" to the Social Problem	23	(3)
Summary	26	(5)
2 Creating the Context for the Analysis of Social Policies: Understanding the Historical Context	31	(16)
Introduction	31	(1)
The Idea of Historical Context	31	(2)
Using Historical Context to Understand Social Problem Viewpoints	33	(6)
Questions to Guide the Search for the Historical Context of a Social Problem Viewpoint	37	(2)
Using Historical Context to Understand Social Policy and Program Designs	39	(3)
Political Process	39	(1)
Formal Structure	40	(2)
The Food Stamp Program: An Example	42	(1)
Summary	43	(4)
3 The Judiciary as a Shaper of Social Policy, Program, and Practice	47	(16)
Introduction	47	(1)
How Are Public Programs Established and Funded? The Political and Legislative Processes	48	(12)
The Regulatory Process Following Enactment	49	(4)
A Simple Framework for Examining Judicial Decisions	53	(4)
Using the Canon Framework to Analyze Judicial Decisions That Create or Alter Social Policy	57	(3)
Summary	60	(3)
PART TWO A Style of Policy Analysis for the Practical Public Policy Analyst	63	(170)
Introduction	63	(2)
4 An Overview of a Style of Policy Analysis: A Value-Critical Approach	65	(14)
The Policy and Program Analysis Process: An Overview of the Six Fundamental Policy Elements	71	(3)
Criteria for a Value-Critical Appraisal of Social Policy and Programs	74	(3)
Summary	77	(2)
5 The Analysis of Policy Goals and Objectives in Social Programs and Policies	79	(32)
Introduction	79	(1)
Definitions and Basic Concepts for Analysis of Goals and Objectives	79	(2)
Different Types of Goals and Objectives	81	(1)
Manifest and Latent Goals	81	(1)
Distinguishing between Goals and Objectives	82	(1)
Objectives (Not Goals) Must Contain Target Group Specifications and Performance Standards	83	(2)
Purpose of Goals and Objectives	85	(3)
Setting Goals and Objectives in the Personal Social Services	88	(1)
Goals and Objectives Vary According to the Developmental Stage of the Program	89	(1)
Methods of Identifying Goals and Objectives	90	(2)
Step 1: Locate the Enabling Legislation	90	(1)
Step 2: Locate Legislative History	90	(1)
Step 3: Locate Staff and Committee Studies and Reports	91	(1)
Step 4: Check Other "Official" Sources	91	(1)
Locating Sources for Goals in Private and State-Administered Programs	92	(1)
Evaluating Program or Policy System Goals and Objectives: A Value-Critical Approach	92	(4)
Introduction	92	(4)
Evaluating the "Fit" between Goals and Objectives and the Social Problem Analysis	96	(1)
Evaluating Goals and Objectives against Traditional Economic Criteria: Adequacy, Equity, and Efficiency	97	(3)
Adequacy	97	(1)
Equity	98	(2)
Efficiency	100	(1)
Evaluation Criteria Specific to Goals and Objectives	100	(3)
Clarity	100	(1)
Measurability	101	(1)
Manipulability	101	(1)
Concern with Outcomes Not Services Provided	102	(1)
The Analyst's Own Value Perspectives in Evaluating the Merit of Goals and Objectives	103	(2)
Some Special Problems in Evaluating Goals and Objectives in Personal Social Services	105	(2)
Summary	107	(4)
6 Analysis of Types of Benefits and Services	111	(20)
Introduction	111	(1)
A Classification Scheme for Benefit and Service Types	111	(5)
Summary of Types of Benefits and Services	116	(1)
Multiple and Interrelated Benefits	117	(1)
Criteria for Evaluating the Merit of Benefit and Service Types	117	(4)
Stigmatization, Cost-Effectiveness, Substitutability, Target Efficiency, and "Trade-Offs"	117	(3)
The Political and Public Administration Viewpoint	120	(1)
Criteria for Evaluating the Merit of Benefit Types: Consumer Sovereignty, Coercion, and Intrusiveness	121	(2)
Criteria for Evaluating the Fit of the Benefit/Service Type to the Social Problem Analysis	123	(4)
Criteria for Evaluating the Merit of Benefit Forms: Adequacy, Equity, and Efficiency	127	(1)
Summary	128	(3)
7 Analysis of Eligibility Rules (Who Gets What, How Much, and Under What Conditions)	131	(34)
Introduction	131	(1)
Types of Eligibility Rules	132	(10)
Eligibility Rules Based on Prior Contributions	133	(1)
Eligibility by Administrative Rule and Regulation	134	(1)
Eligibility by Private Contract	135	(1)
Eligibility by Professional Discretion	136	(1)
Eligibility by Administrative Discretion	137	(2)
Eligibility by Judicial Decision	139	(1)
Eligibility by Means Testing	140	(1)
Establishing Attachment to the Workforce	141	(1)
Criteria for Evaluating the Merit of Eligibility Rules	142	(6)
Fit with the Social Problem Analysis	142	(1)
Criteria Specific to Eligibility Rules	143	(5)
Trade-Offs in Evaluating Eligibility Rules	148	(1)
Overwhelming Costs, Overutilization, and Underutilization	149	(4)
Work Disincentives and Eligibility Rules	153	(3)
Procreational Incentives, Marital Instability, and Generational Dependency	156	(2)
Opportunities for Political Interference via Weak Eligibility Rules	158	(2)
Summary	160	(5)
8 Analysis of Service-Delivery Systems and Social Program and Policy Design	165	(30)
Introduction	165	(1)
Social Policy and Program Design	165	(7)
Program Theory	167	(3)
Program Specification	170	(2)
Some Different Types of Administration and Delivery of Social Service Programs, Benefits, and Services	172	(10)
Centralized Service-Delivery Systems	172	(2)
Client-Centered Management and "Inverted Hierarchy" Service-Delivery Systems	174	(1)
Federated Service-Delivery Organizations	175	(1)
Case Management Service-Delivery Systems	176	(1)
Staffing with Indigenous Workers as a Service-Delivery Strategy	177	(2)
Referral Agencies in Delivering Social Service	179	(1)
Program Consumer/Beneficiary, Client-Controlled Organizations as a Service-Delivery Strategy	180	(1)
Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Agencies as Service-Delivery Strategy	181	(1)
Criteria for Evaluating Service Delivery	182	(8)
Introduction	182	(1)
Evaluating Program Administration and Service Delivery: Services and Benefits Should Be Integrated and Continuous	182	(2)
Evaluating Program Administration and Service Delivery: Services and Benefits Should Be Easily Accessible	184	(1)
Evaluating Program Administration and Service Delivery: Organizations Should Be Accountable for Their Actions and Decisions	184	(4)
Evaluating Program Administration and Service Delivery: Citizens and Consumers Should Be Participating in Organizational Decision Making	188	(2)
Evaluating Program Administration and Service Delivery: Organizations and Their Staff Must Be Able to Relate to Racial, Gender, and Ethnic Diversity	190	(1)
Summary	190	(5)
9 Concepts for the Analysis of Methods of Financing	195	(28)
Introduction	195	(1)
The Insurance Principle: Prepayments and Other Variations	196	(5)
Voluntary Contributions	201	(4)
General Revenue Appropriations	205	(8)
Block Grants	207	(2)
Reimbursement Mechanisms	209	(4)
Direct Out-of-Pocket Payment by Consumer	213	(1)
Corporate/Employment-Based Funding of Benefits	214	(3)
Public and Private Funding: Distinctions	217	(1)
Summary	218	(5)
10 Analysis of Interactions among Policy Elements	223	(10)
Introduction	223	(1)
Coentitlement	223	(3)
Disentitlement	226	(1)
Contrary Effects	227	(2)
Duplication	229	(1)
Summary	230	(3)
PART THREE Analysis of Social Policies and Social Programs Using Basic Concepts and Evaluation Criteria: An Example	233	(25)
Introduction	233	(2)
11 An Example of Social Policy and Social Program Analysis: Selected Features of Federal Child Welfare Legislation of the 1970 -- 1998 Era Concerned with Child Abuse	235	(23)
The Social Problem Context	235	(7)
Definition of the Social Problem	236	(1)
The Ideological Perspective	237	(3)
Causal Analysis	240	(2)
Gainers and Losers	242	(1)
The Judicial Context	242	(1)
The Historical Context	243	(2)
The Social Program and Policy System	245	(13)
Introduction	245	(1)
Goals and Objectives	245	(2)
Eligibility Rules	247	(1)
Form of Benefit and/or Service	248	(1)
Administration and Service Delivery	249	(4)
Financing	253	(1)
Interactions between Basic Policy Elements and between This and Other Programs	254	(4)
Bibliography	258	(8)
Index	266