Reference no: EM133749527 , Length: Words Count:500
This competency assessment assesses the following Outcome(s):
SS238-1: Identify how different factors shape public policy.
Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard English.
Policy Impact on Community Issues
To complete this assignment, you will craft a 500-word (minimum) essay with at least two references properly cited and listed in APA format. The purpose of this assignment is threefold:
- To explore how policy impacts community issues on mental health services.
- To identify what force(s) shape public policy.
- To discuss means for improving the impact of current policy.
Preparation:
STEP 1: Identify the issue:
- To prepare for this paper, you will identify an issue of interest to you within your community.
- The issue can be very precise (e.g., single-use plastics) or more general (e.g., local environmental concerns).
STEP 2: Research the issue:
- Once you have identified an issue of interest, you will research the specifics of the issue as needed to write about it in an informed manner. Research can include personal observations, news articles, or scholarly work.
STEP 3: Connect the issue to a governmental policy:
- Next you will investigate policies in place to deal with the community concern chosen above. You will choose one policy that is in place which addresses or impacts the community concern. The policy can be at any level of government (e.g., a local law banning single-use plastics, a state-wide policy regarding recycling, a federal-level regulation regarding waste or pollution).
STEP 4: Research the policy:
You can use local, state, or government websites, websites from special interest groups, news reports, or academic papers to find a specific policy to investigate. Once you have found a policy of interest that impacts your community issue, you will research the origins and specifics of that policy.
STEP 5: Reflect on the situation:
Finally, you will research and reflect on ways to improve the current policy to better address your community concern. You do not need to "solve" the problem: simply explore one logical step that could be taken to improve the situation. This could be anything from an increase or decrease in budget for the actions required by the policy, an amendment to the policy to specifically address your concern, a repeal or replacement of the policy for something new entirely, and anything in between. Remember, even if the current policy is good, it can always be made better.