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Policy Memo (homeless policy)

Purpose: Policy memoranda are used extensively in the policy environment with a variety of different stakeholders. This assignment allows students to apply their knowledge of problem definition, assembly of evidence, selection of criteria, and evaluation of outcomes.

Task: For this assignment, students will conduct a retrospective policy analysis on a policy of their own interest, prepared for an appropriate interested party.

Criteria: Submission of a 5 page (double-spaced) policy memo, addressed to an entity with a vested interest in the selected issue. Students should use sub-headings to organize their policy memo, using the guidelines listed in page 445 of the course textbook.

Addressed to someone with interest and power

– Consider what their interest and power is

– Write based on your assessment of their role

• Written as a memo (see examples)

• 5 – 6 pages (double-spaced)

• Times New Roman, 1” margins, APA citations and separate page of references not counted toward page limit

Sub-headings

• Problem Statement

• Summary of Evidence

• Alternatives (you must have at least 2; 3 if you use the status quo)

• Evaluative Criteria Selection

– Explain the criteria you’ve selected and why

• Weighing Alternatives

– Present Outcomes Matrix

– In the narrative, discuss the trade-offs for each alternative

• Recommendation and Discussion

– Select an alternative, explain why, tell the audience what to do next