Unit5Assign/DiscSCPP

Example A

Introduction

Public Polies are created when social changes occur. This paper discusses an overview of Burlington County which is a County in New Jersey that currently has 449,284 residents. It is a diverse County that is growing day by day. As in any other County throughout the State, Burlington County has experienced its share of social change concerns. This paper will discuss two specific concerns: Recycling and School Safety issues this is happening in Burlington County and need to be addresses. It will also discuss the important of community demographics and how that affects the decisions that are made when it comes to policy.

An Overview of Burlington County New Jersey

The United States of America consist of 50 different States and 3,142 different Counties. Burlington County is a County located in New Jersey within the United States of America. It is the second largest County in the State of New Jersey. According to the Statistical Atlas (2015), Burlington County consist of six Boroughs, three cities, thirty-two Townships, thirteen unincorporated places, eighteen unified school districts, eighteen elementary school districts, four secondary school districts, seven neighboring Counties, and ten nearby Counties. Burlington County is considered to be a suburban place to live as it is a residential community within commuting distance from large cities such has Philadelphia and New York. There are many residents of Burlington County that more than likely travel to nearby cities for work. When driving through Burlington County, for the most part you will see single-family homes with front and backyards, beautiful grass and trees throughout, shopping malls, office buildings, and nice parks. Burlington County is a fairly quiet and safe place to live and quite different from your urban and rural areas.

Community Demographics

Burlington County, New Jersey currently has a population of 449,284 people with a median age of 41.5 and a median household income of $80,254 (DataUSA). Burlington County is a very diverse County. People from all different cultural backgrounds reside in Burlington County, living door to door from one another, sharing workplaces, schools, stores, parks etc. According to DataUSA, the ethnic configuration of the population in this County, is composed of 304,085 White residents (67.7%), 71,882 Black residents (16%), 35,295 Hispanic residents (7.86%), 23,582 Asian residents (5.25%), and 12,831 Two+ residents (2.86%). The most common spoken language in this County is English but the most common foreign spoken language is Spanish with that population size being 20,774 speakers. Following that is Asian, Portuguese, Gujarati, Greek, and Urdu speakers totaling 54,626 County citizens who do not speak English. Many Burlington County residences own their homes. This rate has increased from 63.1% to 75.8% with all Burlington County residences responsibly for property taxes. Car owners in Burlington County average owning 2 cars per household with an average commute of 28.1 minutes (DataUSA). As we see so often throughout society, males in Burlington County have a higher average income than the females in Burlington County. According to the U.S Census Bureau (2015), there are 225,346 employees in Burlington County with males’ average income 1.37 times higher than the average income of females.

Community demographics are very important when it comes to social changes within the community because it helps to determine how a policy should be presented and if it will pass. The statics of the population affect how important decisions are made. The issues have to reflect the concerns of the people in the community. Demographics contribute to helping the government and society better prepare to deal with any issues and any demands of the population. According to Siegel & Swanson (2004), a wide range of social outcomes are impacted by demographic developments and distributions. Demographic data impacts more than many may realize, in fact it impacts everything you do. Not only does it give communities important information in order to plan for future services but it also impacts how much you pay in taxes, funding for programs, workable healthcare systems, adequate school systems, how much support the schools will receive, who gets federal aid and so much more. The information resulting from demographic studies can help in developing resolution to social issues. There are two social change issues that have been of big concern in Burlington County and the demographics have a major impact on both of these issues.

Recycling as a Social Change Concern in Burlington County

The first social change concern in Burlington County is recycling. Recycling is extremely important as it helps the environment. In addition to helping the environment, it also saves money, creates jobs, preserves our natural resources, helps to reduce pollution, solid waste, and contamination (Recycling Facts, 2017). The residents of Burlington County are required to recycle. Recycling is done by properly sorting materials such as cardboard, paper, food and beverage cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles and placing them into designated carts or cans. Unfortunately, throughout America, some people care about the benefits of recycling and they take the time to do it whereas others do not. This has become a global concern. In the United States, there is an increasing amount of outbound shipments of recycled material being rejected by recycling Mills across the globe because of contamination. In 2017, Burlington County Recycling Program diverted 42,000 tons from the landfill and saved taxpayers $3.3 million in disposable fees. Although this was a success, with the increasing global problems, Burlington County has decided to address the issues and developed a “Recycle Right” initiative.

The main actors who would be involved in participating in a policy development process to address this social concern would be the Burlington County Residents. In order for it to be effective, the residents have to be willing to participate fully and recycle. In addition to the residents the combination of actors would be the Burlington County Freeholders, Kate Gibbs who is the Freeholder Director, Occupational Training Center of Burlington County, Inc. who operates the recycling program, Isaac Manning who is the OTC director, and the workers at the Robert C. Shinn, Jr. Recycling Center in Westhampton where the program operates out of. Kate Gibbs has launched the initiative and she needs Isaac Manning to be in agreement and he provided the workers and his recycling plant which makes them the implementing actors as well. United they can better the recycling in Burlington County and also help the nation by doing their part collectively.

School Safety as a Social Change Concern in Burlington County

The second social concern of discussion in Burlington County is school safety. Throughout America, schools are experiencing a high level of concern for its students and teachers. Society has changed over the years and things that we did not worry so much about years ago has become of great concerns. With school shootings, bullying, kidnapping, and fighting all happening within the schools and on school property, parents are more fearful than ever sending their children to school every day. Schools are now taking additional safety precautions such as having metal detectors, resource officers, advanced sign in and out procedures, locked doors, camera, etc. Extra precautions are utilized more now in order to keep the teachers and students safe. The article is Newsday (2018) titled “America is Failing School Safety” spoke about how since 1999, more than 150,000 students attending at least 170 primary or secondary schools have experienced a shooting on campus. This is absolutely ridiculous and scary to say the least. How are parents not supposed to fear sending their children to school every day or students not fearful to go to school every day? How are teachers’ able to teach effectively without the fear of the unthinkable happening in their classroom; in their school.

This social change issue is a global concern and one that Burlington County has focused its efforts on addressing. Schools need more security and prevention to protect the educators and students on a day to day basis. Proactive steps must be taken to keep them safe. Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs recognized the need for this. According to Levinsky (2018) article, she proposed a $20 million school security initiative program for the schools in Burlington County which will be a voluntary program that will require schools to make grant applications to the County and agree to a security evaluations by a highly-qualified architectural firm. The program will first be introduced in High Schools but the goal is to expand the program to middle and elementary schools. The main actors who would be involved in participating in a policy development process to address the school safety concern would be the Principal/Superintendent, the assistant Principal/Superintendent, other school administrators, the school counselor, the resource officer, the teachers, the students, and the parents. The implementing actors would be the government, the State of New Jersey, the Freeholders, Kate Gibbs (Freehold Director), the local police departments, the board of education. As they all work together they can be proactive in addressing the problem and implement appropriate measures to secure more safe and secure schools in Burlington County.

Standard Policy Statement for Recycling

1. Establishing a Recycling Right Initiative Program

2. Brief Description

a. Burlington County is committed to improving and protecting the environment by recycling common used and hazardous materials such as cardboard, paper, food and beverage cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles, scrap metal, batteries, electronic equipment, mercury-containing lamps, and motor/cooking oil. All members of the Burlington County must comply with the recycling requirements in this policy. Doing so will help the community and also aid in global improving as it pertains to recycling. Burlington County residents will know and understand the guidelines as it pertains to recycling. Burlington County residents will place the appropriate items in the recycling receptacles to avoid recyclables being rejected by recycling mills which will consequently cause residents to have to pay to dispose of recyclable goods.

3. Policy applies to…

i. Community

1. Burlington County Residents

2. Burlington County Business Owners

3. Burlington County Schools

4. OTC Program Participants

ii. Non – profit

1. Board of Director

2. Executive Director (Issac Manning)

3. Program Directors

4. Program Service Personal

iii. Government

1. Board of Freeholder

2. Burlington County Freeholder Director (Katie Gibbs)

4. Reason for the Policy

i. Program diverts 42,000 tons of waste and would cost Burlington County tax payers $3.3 million.

ii. Some Burlington County Residents have not been placing appropriate items in receptacles. This county is at risk of losing the ability to sell recyclables to the recycle mills. As a result, the recycle mills not purchasing these goods, residents’ taxes may be increased allow for appropriate disposal of recyclable goods.

iii. The Burlington County Recycling Program will save Burlington County tax payers millions. This recycling program will also safely dispose of al recyclable goods.

5. Introduction

OTC Program Director, Isaac Manning was informed by the recycling mill that according to their records there has been a major contamination due to residents placing inappropriate items in receptacles. If the recyclables are not appropriately vetted, the mill will discontinue payment for recyclables. Mr. Manning then informed his board or directors of this information. The agency then crafted a letter to the Burlington Freeholders asking for their support in a County wide campaign to re-establish the Burlington County Recycling Program. The Board of Freeholders began a public campaign of television commercials, radio commercials, newspaper articles and social media outlets to inform Burlington County Residents of this issue and to gain full cooperation for this new policy.

6. Policy Statement

Burlington County Residents are the primary audience. Schools, businesses, and residents need to follow this policy. Residents who are tax exempt and pay for their recyclables to be disposed by other companies do not apply to this policy

The major conditions or restrictions are to follow the recycling protocol to ensure your recyclables will be picked up. OTC employees are expected to continue to collect recyclables for all residents who following the Burlington County Recycling Guidelines. There are no special situations that would exclude county residents from adhering to this policy.

7. Definitions

a. Common Recyclable material/Hazardous Material– Recyclable material include cardboard, paper, food and beverage cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles, scrap metal, batteries, electronic equipment, mercury-containing lamps, and motor/cooking oil.

8. Related Polices, Procedures, Guidelines, and other Resources

a. Recycling and Waste Management Policy

b. Hazardous Waste Policy

9. History

Last Reviewed Date - July 25, 2018

Last Revised Date - September 15, 2017

Policy Origination Date – Not Available

10. Key Words

a. Kate Gibbs

b. Burlington County Recycling

c. Recycling Right Initiative

Standard Policy Statement for School Safety

1. Establishing safety and security of County schools and the launching of a school security initiative.

2. Brief Description

3. School Safety is a growing concern in Burlington County. It is an issue that must be addressed immediately and action must be taken in order to be proactive before a tragedy occurs. With all the social changes and issues we are experiencing within our society i.e. school shootings, bulling, kidnapping, fighting, there is a greater need than ever before for more resources within the schools to assure that children and teachers are safe. Lawsuits have arisen in some schools throughout the nation due to their failure to keep kids safe while on school property. The need to enhance the safety and security of Burlington County schools has become a focus for the County. In order to accomplish this there will be a voluntary program initiated that is first of its kind in the state and possible the nation. The ultimate goal is to protect students and teachers in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools from inconceivable tragedy.

4. Policy applies to…

i. Burlington County Schools

ii. Burlington County School Administrators

iii. Principals/Superintendents

iv. Counselors

v. Resource Officers

vi. Local Police Departments

vii. Teachers

viii. Students

ix. Parents

x. Board of Education

xi. Board of Freeholder

xii. Burlington County Freeholder Director (Katie Gibbs)

xiii. State of New Jersey

xiv. Government

4. Reason for the Policy

Safety and security has become of great concern nationwide. Parents fear sending

their children to school. Educator fear that an unthinkable tragedy will occur

while in school. Burlington County wants school buildings to be sage places

where students can learn, educators can reach, and parents can feel comfortable sending their children to school every day.

5. Introduction

Several complaints by parents, teachers, and school administrators were brought forth. Several town hall meeting took place to discuss the continuous safety concerns within the school. Freehold meetings took place. Freeholder Kate Gibbs was joined by members of law enforcement and several Burlington County School Superintendents and they launched a $20 million county grant program that encourages all twenty one public high schools in Burlington County to invest in making their schools more safe and secure.

6. Policy Statement

Burlington County Schools are the primary audience. Schools administrators need to follow this policy. This policy only pertains to high school as of now. The ultimate goal is to extend it to elementary and middle school. The major conditions are for schools to make a grant application to the County and agree to a security evaluation by a highly qualified architectural firm. The aim is to provide a safe and secure environment.

7. Definitions

n/a

8. Related Polices, Procedures, Guidelines, and other Resources

a. School Safety Policy

9. History

Last Reviewed Date - June 12, 2018

Last Revised Date – June 12, 2018

Policy Origination Date – Not Available

10. Key Words

1. Kate Gibbs

2. Burlington County School Security Initiative

References

County of Burlington [US]. (n.d). Recycling. Retrieved of July 25, 2018 from

https://co.burlington.nj.us/345/Recycling

DataUSA. (April 4, 2016). Burlington County New Jersey. Retrieved on July 24, 2018 from

https://datausa.io/profile/geo/burlington-county-nj/

Levinsky, D. (2018, June, 12). Freeholder Kate Gibbs Launches $20 Million School Security

Initiative. Burlington County Times, Retrieved from

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180612/burlington-county-freeholder-director-proposes-20-million-school-security-initiative

Social Policy Toolbox (n.d). Elements of a Standard Policy Statement. Capella University.

Retrieved on July 25, 2018 from http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/HMSV5402/PublicPolicyToolbox/documents/HMSV5402%20Elements%20of%20a%20Standard%20Policy.pdf

Recycling Facts. (2017). #1 Recycling Fact: You can make a difference. Retrieved from

https://recyclingfacts.org/

Siegel, J., and D. Swanson. 2004. The Methods and Material of Demography. Second Edition.

New York: Elsevier.

Statistical Atlas. (2015, April 17). Overview of Burlington County. Retrieved on July 24, 2018

from https://statisticalatlas.com/county/New-Jersey/Burlington-County/Overview

The Editorial Board. (2018, February 24). America is Failing School Safety. Newsday. Retrieved

from https://www.newsday.com/opinion/editorial/schools-gun-control-parkland-1.16926538

U.S. Census Bureau. (2015, March 19). Burlington County. Retrieved on July 24, 2018 from

https://www.census.gov/