What is Policy? From Community Issues to Policy Solutions
Module One Goal: The goal of this module is to equip community members with the ability to distinguish between programs and policies and understand how each is used to address community issues.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, participants will be able to do the following:
- Explain what a policy is
- Distinguish between programs and policies
- Describe different types and levels of policies
- List reasons to work for policy change
How to Use this Module
Each module of this manual is designed for use by a team of co-trainers with experience in interactive training and group facilitation. This module can be conducted as a stand-alone training workshop or can be combined with other modules into a customized training to meet the needs of the organization and community you are working with. Each training module includes a PowerPoint presentation with a brief interactive talk on the core topic or skill, a small group activity using real-life examples, and a facilitated discussion to apply what was learned and identify next steps. Supplemental materials are provided, as well as customizable templates to create your own.
Planning and Customizing
This training curriculum is designed to be customized for the specific community in which it is presented, building on community strengths. To use these modules most effectively, please consider the following:
- Adapt the introduction slides to reflect the organization(s) providing the training.
- Include community members who are experts on the community and/or policy area as part of the training team. The success of this program comes from drawing on this wealth of experience.
- Customize the photos in the module presentation to reflect the community and policy focus of the group participants.
- Develop policy scenarios that match the priority issues the community want to address.
- If participant group is working on a specific policy issue, attend a group meeting to begin to establish a relationship, get a better understanding of the participants, and prepare the group for the upcoming workshop.
- Build on community strengths and resources, highlight individuals’ skills and knowledge, draw on social networks and relationships, and connect with existing community-based organizations.
Customizable PowerPoint Slides
Click here to access the customizable PowerPoint presentation.
The PowerPoint presentation provided will need to be customized to your organization and the issues you have chosen to highlight during the training. In addition, in some cases there are multiple activities to select from. Please be sure to review the presentation, customize the slides, and select activities as necessary prior to use.
Click here to access an optional, additional slide for Module One, which can be inserted before slide 19 in the provided presentation.
Module Materials
You will need the following materials to conduct this module:
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Wall charts (template available here)
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Sets of index cards of potential programs and policies, 1 set corresponding to each wall chart (template available here)
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Participant handouts:
Materials have already been developed for the following issues and are available for use:
Using the materials provided, create deck of 3” x 5” cards (20-24 cards per deck) for each issue. Each card should have a policy or program that addresses the issue, half of which are policies and half programs. Do not include an indicator on the card of whether it is a policy or program. Preprint wall charts that are large enough to fit your cards (at least 36” x 48”). Each chart should be titled with a different issue of interest to the workshop participants (1 wall chart per 4-8 participants). Attach the rough (“hooks”) side of the Velcro in vertical strips for attaching cards to charts. The wall charts and cards are reusable. Keep the decks organized by issue. For example, use a different colored paper for each deck, or place an indicator (like a colored sticky dot) on each card to identify the corresponding issue. Store each deck separately (in plastic bags or secured with rubber bands). Attach a small square or strip of the soft (“loops”) side of the Velcro on the back of each card so that the card will stick to the chart. Create deck of 3” x 5” cards (20-24 cards per deck) for each issue. Each card should have a policy or program that addresses the issue, half of which are policies and half programs. Do not include an indicator on the card of whether it is a policy or program. Preprint wall charts that are large enough to fit your cards (at least 36” x 48”). Each chart should be titled with a different issue of interest to the workshop participants (1 wall chart per 4-8 participants). Attach the rough (“hooks”) side of the Velcro in vertical strips for attaching cards to charts. The wall charts and cards are reusable. Keep the decks organized by issue. For example, use a different colored paper for each deck, or place an indicator (like a colored sticky dot) on each card to identify the corresponding issue. Store each deck separately (in plastic bags, or secured with rubber bands). Attach a small square or strip of the soft (“loops”) side of the Velcro on the back of each card so that the card will stick to the chart.If you will be using materials we have developed for the above issues, please click here.
Preparation Needed in Advance (Pre-developed Materials)
If you will be selecting your own issues, click here.
Preparation Needed In Advance
Additional Materials Needed
In addition to the materials provided above, you will need the following:
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Strong masking tape to attach charts to the wall
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Velcro strips
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Pens/pencils
Additional Resources
- Sample ice breakers that can be used at the beginning of each workshop to introduce the workshop participants to each other and trainers, begin to build trust among workshop participants, and engage workshop participants in the materials. We have provided examples here, or perhaps you have ones that have worked well for you in the past.
- Sample evaluation questionnaires for your reference, however, these materials do not comprise a comprehensive evaluation plan. You may need to adapt or supplement these materials to accomplish your evaluation goals.
- Publications related to Detroit URC policy advocacy training
Attribution
When using the Advocating for Policy Change curriculum materials in any form, clear attribution is expected. The Advocating for Policy Change curriculum contains materials developed by the Detroit Urban Research Center and some resources originally developed or copyrighted by others. These items are used with permission and the original source is clearly identified. Advocating for Policy Change manual users may duplicate and use items as they appear in the curriculum for future policy advocacy trainings, with acknowledgement to the original author/source using the same citation as provided on the Advocating for Policy Change materials.