Social Service Program Development

Introduction: Problem Description

Description of Problem that Arises from the Gap in Existing Best Practice Strategies

The key problem that needs the development of a social service program to address entails the existence of the deficiency of resources essential for the protection and representation of the special groups in society. These include the special and vulnerable groups comprising of the Elderly, persons with disabilities, and children. The lack of representation denies the affected groups an opportunity to air and address issues affecting them (DeHaas, Akutagawa, & Springs, 2019). Hence, denying them access to basic rights guaranteed to them by virtue of being human beings. The lack of representation is undermined by the lack of adequate resources in terms of money crucial to fund the operations as well, as human resources for engaging through the process (Hanni, 2017). Thus, it leads to the erosion of inclusivity and diversity in society through the law-making processes, policy formulation, and addressing fundamental issues that affect different groups in society.

Emergence of the Problem

The emergence is indicated in the lack of compliance with the existing laws that advocated for the protection and adequate representation of the special groups in the society. Such as, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 promotes adequate protection of the PWDs in the U.S. This is achieved by the compliance with the civil rights protecting the PWDs including “employment (Title I), state and local government (Title II-equal opportunity), public accommodations (Title III), telecommunications (Title IV), and miscellaneous provision (Title V)” (ADA National Network, 2020). In 2000, the passing of the Elderly Protection Act is an integral development for the protection and representation of elderly people in society (Congress, 2020). Children are protected by the Children Act 2019 which advocates for key aspects of protecting the children (Congress, 2020). Therefore, the problem’s prevalence is a result of a lack of compliance with key legislation and a lack of funding to build the capacity of the entities tasked with the protection of the aforementioned special groups in the society (Lieb, 2016). Hence, it leads to a continued lack of representation for the special groups in American society.

Social Service Program: The Care4All

The social service program comprises of the development of an advocacy organization focused on the promotion of representational interests of the special groups in the society. This includes ‘The Care4All’ advocacy program that is designed to provide the necessary representation to the special groups in the society. The Care4All is based on the pillars of equal representation, championing for the rights of all members of the society, and promoting the welfare of the vulnerable groups. This gives the program the foundational principles in which they inform and direct the policy strategies, vision, mission, as well as, goals and objectives of the advocacy group. Thus, it leads to the provision of aggressive measures that advocate for the interests of all members of society especially the special and vulnerable groups.

Vision Statement

The Care4All vision statement holds that “we are committed to ascertaining equality, fairness, and promotion of the welfare of all members of the society.” The vision statement pays special attention to the special groups in the society as the primary target entities in which to advance their issues and seek more inclusion, respect, protection, and accessing the equal rights and liberties accorded to fellow humankind. Thus, stipulate for the principles in which the practices of the advocacy organization are based and streamlined to ensure higher objectives realization.

Mission Statement

The mission statement stipulates for the availability of equal opportunities to all members of the society mostly the vulnerable and sidelined groups. The mission statement is designed as “committed to improving the plight of all members of the society through equal representation and advocacy of the interests of the sidelined groups.” This entails the engagement of key stakeholders such as lawmakers, policymakers, civil society groups, legal representatives – creating a multi-agency approach to the problem in society.

Goals

The primary goal for The Care4All social service program is to ensure the availability of equal opportunity for all members of society. The goal is to ensure the vulnerable and special groups including PWDs, Children, and the Elderly as the most vulnerable and sidelined groups in the society access opportunities to have their grievances articulated and voiced. This enables access to a helping hand that is committed to improving the plight of the vulnerable groups in the future.

Objectives

The objective of the social service program includes creating a broad voice for the agitation of the interests of the special groups in society. The Care4All social service program provides the safety net and voice for thousands and thousands of neglected groups who lack a channel to present their issues. Therefore, The Care4All is designed in a way that it is bound to provide an avenue for the championing for the issues of the deserving members of the society. The poor are also included in the list of special and vulnerable groups in society.

Methods and Activities

The methods and activities utilized in running the Care4All social service program are executed in line with the theories advancing the problem. The primary theory used to analyze the problem comprises of the social exclusion theory. Also referred to as the marginalization theory is used to illustrate the prevalence of discrimination against special groups in society. The discrimination theory denies the affected groups an opportunity to access equal opportunities such as education, economic developments, gender equality, social and political inclusion. Christensen, Dann, and Dawson (2018) note that the lack of inclusion culminates in poor state and degradation of the plight of the minority groups in the society. Wilson et al. (2017) find these states as proficient in the advancement of the difficulties in the representation of key issues that affect the minority groups. Thus, no opportunity to resolve the problem leading to the improvement of the state of the special groups in society (Medina, 2017). Hence, the Care4All provides the missing channel to voice the grievances and bring to light the problems affecting the special and vulnerable groups in the society.

The application of the “large leaps” theory is fundamental to questioning the policies and approaches utilized in funding and advancing the issues of the minority groups in society (Stachowiak, 2013). The theory puts on a task that resource allocation is a major impediment to the running of the representation of the special groups by the designated agencies and organizations. The agenda-setting theory is critical for the mobilization of the necessary resources essential to run the social service program (Stachowiak, 2013). The Care4All requires a sufficient number of human resources and experts to advance the issues of representation of the special groups in society. Thus, it promotes the availability and access to sufficient funding and human resources vital to the functioning of the Care4All towards meeting its goals and objectives.

The incorporation of the “coalition” and coordination theory is fundamental to engaging diverse groups and experts in the field towards concentrating their resources in advancing the course for the special groups in the society. The Care4All through the coalition and coordination theory targets to bring together local, state, foundations, and philanthropic elements dealing with special groups representation and improvement issues to a common platform. This is crucial to enhance the current capacity in advancing the interests of the special groups. As well, it is fundamental for the continuity of advocating for the issues affecting the special groups in society. Finally, the community organizing theory is integral to build capacity to touch the grassroots which comprise the mantle of the minority special groups affected by the problem addressed by the social service program (Othman, 2018). The Care4All is designed to get to the grassroots where the special groups who are the minority and vulnerable groups in the society as suffering silently and for lack of a channel to voice their issues. The Care4All is committed to shed light on the plight of the vulnerable groups for the wider society to see, witness, and experience the problems at the core. Hence, it evokes public feelings, perceptions, and agitation for the improvement of the address to the rights of the special groups.

Implementation Plan

The implementation of the Care4All social service program is designed to follow three significant approaches that contribute to the advancement of the theories explained above. First, the Care4All is expected to expand its capacity and influence through joining the civil society’s outlook. The framework is crucial to provide a broad avenue for articulating the issues affecting the fellow humans in the underprivileged groups in society (Wauters, Eelbode, & Celis, 2016). On realization of the seriousness of the matter through evidence and experience sharing from the grassroots, civil societies dealing with similar issues are bound to pick up the issues and champion for a change. Through coalition and coordination of the organizations in the field – big and small set a course for the enactment of legislation and laws that pay distinct attention to the issues of the special groups (Rouse & Hoover, 2017). The agenda-setting theory impacts the concentration of resources from the interest groups and civil societies that are critical to bringing awareness of the rights of the special groups in the policy developments. Thus, ascertain the inclusion of a holistic approach to dealing with social problems in society (McKee, 2017).

Second, the Care4All through the use of social media platforms and the organization’s website set course for enhancing the education of special groups in society. The social medial utilization comprises of the use platforms such as Twitter under the hashtag #Care4All, #SocietalFairness&Equality, #WeAreAllHumans, among others promote for the enlightenment of the plight of the special groups in the society. This involves the sharing of stories and experiences at personal levels from the grassroots cases to illustrate the severity of the implications of the problem through videos shared on YouTube and the official site of the Care4All. A record of the number of cases and affected persons is critical to provide the statistical data as evidence to agitate for changes in the society. This sets the precedent of having more of the affected persons aware of their rights and access to legal and professional guidance to advance their issues in whatsoever capacity. That is, including legal suits against the government of lawmaking and policymaking agencies to include the issues of the special groups in the society.

Third, the Care4All will be implemented on the basis of creating awareness through engaging lawmakers in the education exercises to illuminating the core issues affecting the special groups in society. The aggressive levels of engagement of the lawmakers are enshrined in the need to facilitate the issues of the special groups by shedding light on the plight and realities at the grassroots level. The Care4All will focus on giving the first-hand experience to the law and policymakers on the impact of neglecting and excluding the special groups in society. The special cases identified from the grassroots are vital to attracting a change in resource allocation to address the issues affecting them. This is critical to formulating policies and changes that primarily address the plight of the special and vulnerable groups for the overall good of the society. Thus, illustrating the value of humanity by holding each other’s hand and creating slots for the articulation of problems by persons who actually live and experience the very problem themselves. Hence, it leads to the true inclusivity and diversity of all groups in society.

Evaluation Metrics

The evaluation metrics of the success of the Care4All social service program are informed by four core aspects. First, the evaluation of the equality and diversity of representation in all sectors of society. That is, in the legislature, the statistical analysis indicating a change in the inclusivity of all members of the society among other agencies. This includes a change in tact for the inclusivity through an increase in the slots of the representatives of the special groups. For the children, organizations dealing with children’s issues precisely should be accorded audience and time to time channels to advocate for the needs in the sector for better protection of the special group. Thus, increase inclusivity and diversity of dealing with core problems in society.

Second, policies and legislation should be based on transparency and accountability. The propositions of the Care4All should be publicized for the public to access and review. This leads to more awareness of the problem. Hence, impact in the building the voice championing for inclusivity and diversification in the government and public entities which minority groups are a key part. The existing problem should also witness changes that are evaluated through a record of progress to how special groups in the society are treated.

Third, the empowerment of the special and vulnerable groups in society. The evaluation of the empowerment with be assessed on the impacts of the changes and how the society is progressing from the implementation of the Care4All social service program. That is, through the provision of a channel to air their grievances and creating awareness of the rights of the special and vulnerable groups determines the reactions and acceptance of the measures put in place. Thus, increase the number of persons agitating for change in society.

Lastly, the capacity of the Care4All to attract more diverse experts, interest groups, and civil societies in building the voice for agitating for change in society. The illustration of the profound of the gains made in this area is critical to illustrate the success of the Care4All social service program. Hence, it leads to the realization of the set objectives.

Provision of Leadership in Promoting Sustainable Change in Service Delivery

Feasibility and Sustainability of the Program

The feasibility and the sustainability of the program are based on its significance and impacts it attains following its implementation. That is based on the level of attractiveness to woe interest groups and civil society’s commitment to supporting the course advanced by the organization. Also, the attraction of the philanthropists, foundations, and donors to provide the necessary funds crucial to running the day-to-day activities of the Care4All social service program. This is bound to culminate in increased commitment to providing solutions to the special groups in the society that have largely been discriminated in the representation process.

Provision of Leadership in Promoting Sustainable Change in Service Delivery and Practice

The leadership aspect provided by the Care4All is indicated in the showing of the initiative to take lead on the issues affecting the special groups in the society. The organization is run as a non-profit outfit that is concerned with the plight of the vulnerable groups in society. Thus, set the precedent in which interest groups, civil societies, philanthropists, and foundations can work as a coalition and coordination to address issues of the special groups in the society.

References

ADA National Network. (Last updated May 2020). What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? https://adata.org/learn-about-ada.

Christensen, J. G., Dann, S., & Dawson, M. (Eds.). (2018). Representation Theory and Harmonic Analysis on Symmetric Spaces (Vol. 714). American Mathematical Soc.

Congress.Gov. (2020). H.R. 1984 – Elderly Protection Act.

Congress.Gov. (2020). H.R. 3940 – Protection of Children Act of 2019.

DeHaas, D., Akutagawa, L., & Springs, S (February 5, 2019). Missing Pieces Report: The 2018         board diversity census minorities on Fortune 500 Boards.

Hanni, M. (2017). Presence, representation, and impact: How minority MPs affect policy outcomes. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 42(1), 97-130.

Lieb, D. A. (June 16, 2016). DIVIDED AMERICA: Minorities missing in many legislatures. AP             News.

McKee, R. (2017). The Substantive Representation of Ethnic Minorities in the UK Parliament (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Manchester (United Kingdom)).

Medina, R. (2017). The disproportionate representation of minorities in special education.

Othman, L. B. (2018). The Problem of Disproportional Representation of Students from Minority Races in Special Education. International Journal of Special Education33(1), 171-183.

Rouse, C., & Hoover, G. A. (2017). Report: Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the             Economics Profession (CSMGEP). American Economic Review, 107(5), 777-91.

Stachowiak, S. (2013). Pathways for change: 10 Theories to inform advocacy and policy   change efforts.

Wauters, B., Eelbode, F., & Celis, K. (2016). Parties matter, right? Parties as actors for the substantive representation of ethnic minorities. In ECPR Joint Sessions of Workshops.

Wilson, B. D., Jordan, S. P., Meyer, I. H., Flores, A. R., Stemple, L., & Herman, J. L. (2017). Disproportionality and disparities among sexual minority youth in custody. Journal of youth and adolescence46(7), 1547-1561.

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