What future challenges does the United States face in providing for its citizens' health, education, and welfare? How can citizens influence social policy to help to meet these challenges?

Answer:

An ideal response will:
1. Identify that there are huge costs involved in social policy programs, that spending for human resource programs has doubled since 1950, and that the interest on the national debt is rapidly increasing, which leaves less money for these programs.
2. Discuss the major health care challenges: containing costs in the face of rising health care costs and expanding coverage as the Affordable Care Act is implemented.
3. Describe challenges in education, including reevaluating programs with difficulties such as Head Start and No Child Left Behind; meeting the expectation that schools will not just educate but will also provide basic nutrition, medical and psychological assistance, and socialization; and improving access to higher education.
4. Detail challenges in the area of crime control, such as dealing with terrorism and increasing violence in neighborhoods.
5. Note ways that citizens can become involved in meeting social policy challenges: joining interest groups that represent low-income Americans; writing letters to members of Congress regarding significant legislation; and volunteering for programs designed to help the needy.