FINAL PROJECT POLICY BRIEF
As part of their final project, students are expected to write a policy brief. Remember, you will select a topic that is directly related to issues addressed in class through lecture, readings, media, site visits and guest speakers. As stated earlier, you are encouraged to work with other students, in groups of up to four.
Your Policy Brief should include the following sections:
Executive summary (<1 page)
Context and importance of the problem (2 pages)
Problem definition
Scope of the problem
Population of interest: age, gender, group
Setting: community, organization, system
Root causes and Significance of the problem
Critique/Analysis (1 page)
Examine how the current system addresses the stated problems, what are the current solutions and where are the gaps in services
Focus on where gap(s) may be located: federal, state, county, city, etc.
Recommendations (1 page)
Focus on a recommendation targeting the problem you identified
What is your proposed solution – whether it is policy, research or practice
A new approach? Modification of existing approach?
You don’t have to answer all of these questions but you might consider:
Who is likely to be in support? Opposed? Why?
What are the financial considerations and/or impact?
What are the alternatives?
