SCWK 8805 Policy Issues in Family and Children's Services
One of 4 courses that meets advanced policy requirement. This course focuses on a critical examination of alternatives in formulating, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs in the area of family and children's services. Students will be informed about specific policies impacting children and families in the U.S., critically analyze how policies impact child and family well-being, and explore methods of advocating for effective policy development. Specific policy issues explored in the course include family legislation; welfare reform; balancing work and family; housing and homelessness; family and domestic violence; maternal, child, and family health; education; juvenile justice; cultural issues; immigration/refugees; and approaches in other nations.
Course overview
- Department
- Social Work
- School
- SSW
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- SCWK7701
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.73 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.10 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Natalie Grafft | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 21 |
| Spring 2026 | Samantha Teixeira | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | — | 37 of 48 |
| Spring 2026 | Sasha Aaronson | 2.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 19 of 24 |
| Spring 2026 | Stefania Agliano | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 22 |
| Spring 2025 | Allison Joyce | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 22 |
| Spring 2025 | Matthew Pecoraro | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 23 |
| Spring 2025 | Sasha Aaronson | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 20 of 22 |
| Spring 2025 | Stefania Agliano | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 11 of 16 |
| Spring 2024 | Allison Joyce | 2.5 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 2.7 | ≤ 1 hr/week | 17 of 23 |
| Spring 2024 | Matthew Pecoraro | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 19 |
| Spring 2024 | Samantha Teixeira | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 22 |
| Spring 2024 | Sophie Hansen | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 11 of 16 |
| Spring 2024 | Stefania Agliano | 3.3 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 11 of 17 |
| Spring 2023 | Allison Joyce | 2.5 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 20 |
| Spring 2023 | Matthew Pecoraro | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 36 |
| Spring 2023 | Samantha Teixeira | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 15 of 21 |
| Spring 2023 | Ty Breece Tucker | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 19 |
| Spring 2022 | Allison Joyce | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | — | 8 of 19 |
| Spring 2022 | Matthew Pecoraro | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 10 of 22 |
| Spring 2022 | Sophie Hansen | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 10 of 14 |
| Spring 2022 | Tsana Dimanin | 3.8 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 13 |