Summarize historical context, current conditions, and key stakeholder needs/interests

Essay #7:
IIn Topic 8, you will be completing a policy brief related to one of the content areas covered throughout this
course. You will use this literature review to complete your policy brief for Topic 8. Select a social issue/problem
with a clearly delineated topic in one of the 10 social welfare content areas and identify a topic suitable for
proposing a policy change. You will use this same social welfare problem in the Topic 7 and 8 assignments.
This is a two-part assignment.
1. Using the GCU library, conduct a literature review in which you identify, review, and list five current
(published within the last 5 years) peer-reviewed scholarly sources of relevance to your topic in APA
reference format.
2. Prepare a “statement of the issue” (350 words), supported with information drawn from your selected
scholarly sources.
Topic 8 Assignment: Develop a Policy Brief
What is a Policy Brief? Within the context of this course, a Policy Brief is defined as a concise
summary of a particular social welfare policy, programmatic or service delivery issue. Policy
Briefs vary in purpose, scope and length, and are typically aimed at government policymakers or
others interested in reformulating or influencing a policy, program, or service delivery system.
Instructions:
Using a template approved by your instructor, create a single-spaced, 2-page Policy Brief. Before
preparing the brief, read the ICPA “Essential Guide to Writing a Policy Brief”.
The Policy Brief is to be based on a concise, systematic analysis of a social welfare
policy/program issue, covering eight analytic areas:
(1) Identify an important social welfare problem or policy issue in a local context
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(2) Articulate a vision of social change and states aims/objectives to achieve the vision of
change
(3) Summarize historical context, current conditions, and key stakeholder needs/interests
(4) Summarize relevant policy or research trends on what has/hasn’t worked
(5) Critique current policy/program and projects future developments
(6) Propose a policy or program alternative (or strategic direction) to achieve the envisioned
change. Explain why this is the best of available options. Explain how the policy change
can advocate for human rights and advance social, economic or environmental justice on
behalf of individuals and communities affected by the policy/program.
(7) Explain the purpose and potential benefits of conducting a formative and/or summative
evaluation study or set of studies focused on the proposed policy alternative/option
(8) Provide recommendations for moving forward and a call for action
The Policy Brief is to include three main components:
(1) Executive summary
(2) Main analytic content (as noted above)
(3) Citations and list of references in APA format
The Policy Brief should be designed for a specific audience and call attention to the importance
of addressing the identified social problem or policy issue. It should provide enough relevant
material for the reader to understand the issue and feel compelled to take productive and
meaningful action to achieve outcomes intended to benefit the specified target service
population.
The Policy Brief is to be written in clear, concise, audience-friendly language, with no
grammatical, word choice, or spelling errors.
The Policy Brief is to be engaging, visually appealing, and include relevant photos or visual
images, cases or illustrative examples, data tables or charts, graphics, and/or sidebar summaries