How any of the following are integral to understanding the topic, social problem, or policy: race/ethnicity, gender, sexual and gender diversity, socioeconomic class, political disenfranchisement, poverty and/or inequality.

Critical Analysis of Course Material
Instructions
Chosen topic: Racial disproportionality and/or racial discrimination in the child welfare system

please only use the sources provided.

For this assignment, you are expected to develop a 6–7-page paper that critically examines the materials from the course (Modules 1-7).
Papers should be in APA format (7th edition) and double-spaced (no abstract is needed). As such, it is expected that each paper will include a brief introduction and conclusion, along with a title page and references. Only the substantive content of the papers counts toward the overall page count.

Please make sure you are referencing material from the course lectures, readings, discussions, and class exercises, across several modules. Use of non-course readings is not required for this paper, but you are welcome to use such materials if you choose to do so.
Please review the grading rubric as you complete this paper, so you are clear on the expectations for this assignment.

Please respond to each of the following prompts in your paper:
• Citing material from the readings and lectures, critically describe the mandate, philosophy, and approach of Children’s Rights (i.e., the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child—CRC) and why it is applicable to this course and toward improving children’s well-being.
• Citing material from the readings and lectures, provide a comprehensive and critical discussion of three (or more) different topics, social problems, or policies. Please see the list below for a list of topics that have been covered in class thus far and are eligible for this paper.
• In comparing and contrasting these course topics, be sure to also discuss:
•
o The extent to which children’s well-being is understood and addressed in how the social problems or topics are defined or in how the policies are formulated/implemented.
•
o How any of the following are integral to understanding the topic, social problem, or policy: race/ethnicity, gender, sexual and gender diversity, socioeconomic class, political disenfranchisement, poverty and/or inequality.

• Using the topics below OR based on the class in general, thoughtfully describe how social welfare policies can promote or oppress individuals, families, or communities.
• Thoughtfully describe why understanding social welfare policy is important for the social work profession. It is permissible to include an example that relates to your field placement or place of employment but be sure to disguise any identifying client details.

Eligible topics from Modules 1-7:
•
o The complexity in determining the eligibility criteria and benefit structure for families served by social safety net programs
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o Racial disproportionality and/or racial discrimination in the child welfare system
•
o How the philosophy, scope, and mission of the US Child Welfare System has shifted over time
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o Indian Child Welfare Act (1978)
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o Multi-ethnic Placement Act (1994) and Inter-ethnic Placement Act (1996)
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o Adoption and Safe Families Act (1997)
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o Family First Prevention Services Act (2018)
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o Aging out of child welfare/foster care
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o Foster Care Independence Act/Chafee (1999)

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