Week 3 Case Study Essay

A major problem that makes the development of successful programs very difficult to help welfare recipients, AIDS patients, and the homeless is the diversity of values and points of view regarding the most effective ways of dealing with these groups. This factor leads to the problem of funding programs for these and other needy populations. Take a look at the scenario below – Which answer would you choose?

A human services agency is trying to come up with a practice to prevent the spread of AIDS among youth. The agency is struggling to come to a conclusion and decide on a specific practice. According to you, what is the best way to deal with the AIDS epidemic?

1. Isolating victims from the uninfected population.

2. Banning infected individuals from engaging in sexual activities.

3. Distributing contraceptives in high schools and colleges as a form of prevention.

Write a 3-4 page paper in which you:

• Think about the impact of policies and programs on diverse populations.
• What are the agency responsibilities and issues that may arise as a result of your choice?
• What is the role of analysis in meeting the needs of this diverse population? What factors did you consider in making a choice?
• What alternative solution would you suggest for prevention of the epidemic?
• How might new approaches for addressing the needs of this population impact service delivery from various point of views (provider, agency, recipient)?
• What role do the three levels of prevention play in developing a new approach?
• What factors must be taken into consideration when developing prevention practices, techniques, and programs within an ecological systems context?

This essay must follow all APA style formatting requirements. For further guidelines on your paper, refer to the Essay Rubric

Resources:

• Recommendations for Developing Contextually Relevant HIV-AIDS Prevention Strategies
• Sexual Safety Panning as an HIV Prevention Strategy

Answer preview

The human services agency has a significant part to play in the development of successful programs that boost the wellbeing of every individual in society. Significant challenges, however, that the agency encounters is coming up with practical programs that meet diverse values and opinions regarding the most appropriate way of handling specific groups. Such groups are patients with AIDS, the homeless and welfare recipients. In the presented case scenario, the agency has a challenge in coming up with a strategy for preventing the spread of AIDS. From my perspective, distributing contraceptives in colleges and high schools would be at least the best strategy for preventing the rapid spread of AIDS.

The impact of policies and programs on diverse populations

The human services agency must portray cultural competence when handling diverse groups. During the development of wellness programs and policies for the specified groups, AIDS patients, welfare recipients and the homeless; acknowledging their thoughts, cultural assumptions, practices, and values is essential (Foster, Núñez, Spencer, Wolf, & Robertson…