Describe specific discriminatory issues in a given policy or program and connect a core value or standard from the NASW Code of Ethics.
Explain the mechanisms that lead to the discriminatory issues.
Describe how a public program or policy has changed over time in response to issues of oppression, alienation, or discrimination.
Describe the rationale for these changes.
Describe a specific population or subgroup (demographic distinctions, how many) impacted by the selected public policy.
Provide relevant, real-world examples that demonstrate the impacts of the policy.
Support main points, assertions, arguments, conclusions, or recommendations with relevant, credible, and convincing evidence.
Synthesize evidence to demonstrate its importance to your discussion or argument.
Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
Demonstrate correct stylistic conventions, document structure, and source attributions.
Additional Requirements
The assignment you submit is expected to meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards.
Resources: A minimum three academic resources.
Length of paper: 3–4 double-spaced pages (not including reference list).
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Due date: The assignment must be submitted to your instructor in the courseroom no later than 11:59 p.m. CST Sunday of this week.
This social-work policy analysis examines the restoration of voting rights to convicted felons in Florida (Amendment 4 and after) — the discriminatory mechanisms, how the policy changed over time, the population affected, and an NASW ethics connection. Use evidence and connect to social-work values.
Key takeaways
- Analyze felon disenfranchisement as a discriminatory policy with disparate impact.
- Explain the mechanisms producing the discrimination.
- Trace how the policy changed (Amendment 4 restoration, then the fines/fees law).
- Quantify the affected population (Florida felons, disproportionately Black residents).
- Connect to an NASW core value (social justice); APA.
The discriminatory issue and mechanisms
Describe felon disenfranchisement in Florida and its discriminatory impact — it disproportionately removes voting rights from Black and low-income residents. Explain the mechanisms: the scale of felony convictions in affected communities and, after restoration, the requirement to pay all fines/fees (a modern barrier critics compare to a poll tax).
How the policy changed and why
Trace the evolution: longstanding disenfranchisement → 2018 Amendment 4 restoring rights to most people with felony convictions → the 2019 law conditioning restoration on paying legal financial obligations. Explain the rationale given for each change and the oppression/alienation concerns driving reform.
Population affected and evidence
Quantify the affected population (over a million Floridians) and give real-world examples of the impact on voting access.
NASW ethics
Connect to the NASW core value of social justice — the social worker’s obligation to challenge policies that marginalize.
Format
Support with credible evidence, synthesize it, and use APA.