For this assignment, you will create a policy brief on a policy related to the social problem you selected in Module 2 and the policy (or policies) you have introduced in your Advocacy Strategies Paper.
This project offers the opportunity to think and learn more about a population/ social problem related to inequality/ disparity and how policy affects this issue at the local, state, or national level(s). When considering and examining disparities, consider three common dimensions of the issue: inequalities in outcomes, inequalities in access, and inequalities in quality and/or quantity of services and care received. As you do this, you may also consider and explore both physical and mental health disparities (if they intersect). Be sure to also reflect on the racial disparities discussed in Module 5.
Please note that there are always interactive effects when examining inequalities and disparities (e.g. female African American experiences). Your work should centrally focus on the population you chose, but you may also need to refer to other demographic and socioeconomic positions in the assignment (e.g., while the intersectionality of being African American and female contributes to the disparity you are reviewing, there are further differences between women of higher versus lower socioeconomic statuses within this population).
Recommendations about how to address the disparity via policy. Delineate 1 to 3 specific policy actions that will address the problem.
Rationale for the recommendations. Make your case here. Display and describe relevant data. You may use tables or figures.
Expected outcomes. Discuss the impacts and implications of both action and inaction.
Funding Considerations/Sources that can help address the problem or gap.
How
Your brief will be addressed to a legislative body in the position to help bring this change about (i.e., local, state, or national). The target audience for the brief is the members of the legislative committee that will be holding hearings on the proposal. You should include a reference list, including, at minimum, 5-6 citations/sources of information about your topic. Your entire brief should not exceed six, double-spaced pages with 12-point font, one-inch margins, and clear headers.
Please note: Your final policy issue brief paper must include sections 1 through 3 from your Policy Brief Part 1, and any feedback you have received as part of the grading process. Your grade for the Policy Issue Brief Paper 2 will be based on the entirety of the paper, not just on the content produced for sections 4 through 7.
Here is an example of a policy brief: https://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/issue_briefs/2016/rwjf432103Links to an external site.
Please also use this as a guide:
How to Write a Health Policy BriefLinks to an external site.
Wong, S., Green, L., Bazemore, A., & Miller, B. (2017). How to write a health policy brief. Families, Systems, and Health, 35(1), 21-24.
HERE ARE THE COMMENTS I RECEIVED
Hi, I’m only reviewing the part of this paper that is required for Part 1, so did not read beyond “Relevant Background.” The relevant background and issue are a little thin. You’ve built the frame really well, but you need to fill it in with some more evidence and analysis. We need to know more about family reunification. What is it? Why does it need to happen, and what circumstances led to it? Your writing here is much better, though, so that’s terrific! Please let me know whether you have any questions.
