TO PREPARE
• Review the Learning Resources on developing a vision statement. Focus on the strategies for developing an effective vision statement.
• Review the Learning Resources on preventing unintended outcomes/consequences. Pay particular attention to the examples of unintended outcomes/consequences and the strategies that can be used to prevent them.
• Reflect on the social problem that you selected for your Final Project.
• Think about how you would create a vision statement that articulates what the problem would look like if it were solved.
• Identify potential unintended outcomes/consequences associated with solving the problem. Consider how you would prevent the unintended outcomes/consequences.
BY DAY 7
Submit a 1-page paper (not including a title page or reference page) that addresses the following components of the Final Project. Be sure to incorporate any relevant feedback that you received from your Instructor on last week’s assignment.
• Refine the Problem Statement. Refine your problem statement, based on what you learned from your peers, your Instructor, and/or the Learning Resources this week and in previous weeks.
• Develop a Vision Statement. Develop a vision statement of what the problem would look like if it were solved. The vision statement should be 1–2 sentences long.
• Identify Unintended Outcomes/Consequences. Describe the risks for unintended outcomes/consequences that might arise when addressing the problem. Explain how you would prevent the unintended outcomes/consequences.
PROBLEM STATEMENT FROM LAST WEEK
The problem of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals regarding equal housing, employment, and medical insurance is a pressing social issue that requires immediate attention. Despite the societal progress that has been made in recent years, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination regarding access to housing, employment, and primary healthcare. This discrimination is rooted in systemic prejudice and moral judgment, adversely affecting the lives of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. The consequences of this discrimination can be seen in the disparities between LGBTQ+ individuals and their counterparts regarding housing stability, income, healthcare, and other fundamental rights. According to the National Human Services, “LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience poverty, homelessness, and unemployment than their heterosexual counterparts” (National Organization for Human Services, 2019).
Additionally, LGBTQ+ individuals often face additional obstacles when accessing healthcare, as “many healthcare providers are still not adequately trained to provide culturally sensitive care for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.” In order to address this problem, there needs to be a shift in society’s moral judgments towards LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as increased access to resources such as housing, employment, and healthcare. This shift can only be achieved through education and awareness, as well as through the implementation of laws and policies that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Ultimately, the goal should be to create an environment where all individuals can live and thrive without fear of discrimination.
RESOURCES
• Community Toolbox. (n.d.). Section 2. Proclaiming your dream: Developing vision and mission statements. Links to an external site.https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-planning/vision-mission-statements/main
• Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change: A practical guide to solving complex problems, avoiding unintended consequences, and achieving lasting results. Chelsea Green Publishing.
o Chapter 4, “Deciphering the Plots of Systems Stories” (p. 45–70)
Hart-Johnson, A. (2020). The ecology, prevention, and risk mitigation of social change. Download The ecology, prevention, and risk mitigation of social change.(PDF)
