Assignment task: Pretend to write to a state representative and address the following social issue of poverty in America.
1. What is/are the social problem(s) to be solved in the most fundamental terms?
2. What are the stated objectives of the policy? In your judgment, what are the covert objectives of the policy?
3. What are the values underlying the policy objectives? What values are revealed by the overt and covert objectives?
4. What did policymakers expect would be the result of the policy?
5. What are the effects that lawmakers intended? What are the effects that lawmakers did not foresee?
6. What is one or more alternative policy that would address the social problem more effectively while advancing social justice?
7. How can the human services professional advocate for change to address the unintended consequences of the policy?