Assignment: Program vs. Policy

Policy or Program?

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Policy or Program? Program Transcript RENATA A. HEDRINGTON JONES: The difference between a policy and a program is

that programs are based upon the policy. So the program can only move in the direction

that the policy mandates or dictates.

JOE N. SAVAGE, JR.: Typically, the policy comes first, as it defines the program. It

determines and defines the services that can be provided, who is eligible to receive

those services, as well as any additional eligibility criteria and the intended outcomes.

RENATA A. HEDRINGTON JONES: For instance, I have a program for children. If the

policy says that program for children must have a particular age group of staff working

with them with particular and specific skills, then that is what I must have for the

program.

Program does not dictate policy. Policy dictates how and why that program runs the way

it does and what's necessary to make that policy-- or that program receive its licensing

and credentials.

JOE N. SAVAGE, JR.: An example from my field of work that highlights the difference

between a policy and a program is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs

Act. That is a policy that establishes the Continuum Of Care program. And the

Continuum Of Care program is responsible for providing emergency shelter, transitional

housing, permanent housing, and permanent supportive housing assistance to

homeless individuals and families.

The McKinney-Vento Act is what defines what the COC program can do. It defines

who's homeless and what that definition is. It defines how much rental assistance, how

long can their emergency shelter be provided. So the McKinney-Vento Act is the policy

that outlines what the COC program can do, who it can serve, and how much

assistance it can give.

RENATA A. HEDRINGTON JONES: What we really need to understand is policy guides

practice. That program is a practice. That policy tells that practice what's mandated,

what the law is, and how you violate the laws as well. So it's always good practice to

read the policy and procedures manual, so that you are ensured what your roles and

responsibilities are in the specific environment with you are working.

Policy or Program?

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The program provides you the environment. The policy tells you how that environment

is supposed to function, what services it's supposed to provide, how they're supposed to

provide them, and when and how long.

KEN LARIMORE: I want to look at the difference between policy and program. If we

could compare this to a car, the car is the program. And the policy is what drives the

car, or what drives our program. And if our policies are bad, our car is not going to get

where it needs to go, which means our clients are not going to get the services that they

need.