Your third paper will address the implementation of your policy recommendation. The purpose of the paper is to describe the logic model for the implementation, the results you intend to achieve (goal and objectives), a high-level implementation plan (actions or activities), the resources needed to implement the plan, plans to communicate information regarding the policy to stakeholders, and methods to evaluate the performance and results of implementing the plan. The following are elements to cover in the policy implementation paper. Policy Implementation 1. Problem Statement Include the brief problem statement used in the Policy Options Paper 2. Policy Present the policy recommended in the Policy Options paper 3. Plan Logic Model (10%) Present and discuss the logic model for your implementation approach. The pertinent information from the logic model should be discussed and summarized with a rationale for selecting the proposed implementation plan. Include the logic model template as an appendix. Policy Goal and Objective(s) (10%) Present the program goal(s) and objectives for achieving the policy option selected (what effect do you expect, to what extent, and by when). Actions/Activities (10%) Describe the actions/activities needed to achieve the program goal(s) (impacts) and objectives (outcomes) (e.g., increase access to complete streets for communities with low SES and high rates of obesity; Work with the county council to identify high-risk areas and develop a plan for infrastructure improvements using a complete streets model; establish health clinics in underserved areas; modify education or licensure requirements for specific health professionals, etc.) 4. Implementation Resources: Provide a summary description of the implementation resources needed to implement the policy and the role of those resources in that implementation. Detailed descriptions will be included in appendices. (25%) Personnel Identify the types of personnel or relationships needed to implement and carry out the activities selected (e.g., county planning commissions, health educators, etc.) Describe how the personnel will be provided. For example, do you plan for the program to support new hires, contract with outside entities, or do you plan to assign additional responsibilities to existing personnel? Consider and describe: Can these personnel absorb more responsibilities? Or will the new responsibilities replace current responsibilities? If so, will those displaced responsibilities be stopped or reassigned to other personnel? If you need to hire staff, include your estimate of how many of each type/skill level are needed. Facilities (if included in your plan) Describe the type of facility/facilities needed to operate the program based on your policy. Consider and describe: Do the facilities have special requirements? What is the estimated cost of each facility? Equipment (if included in your plan) Describe, at a high level, any specialized equipment needed to implement the policy. Projected costs for specialized equipment will be used in preparing the budget. If you only need typical office equipment such as computers, telephone service, etc. you can use an average cost per person in preparing the budget. Supplies Describe, at a high level, what specialized supplies will be needed to operate the program (e.g., additional asphalt to widen roads, educational materials, etc.). The cost of specialized supplies will be used to develop the budget. If you only need routine office supplies there is no need to report more than office supplies will be used. You can use an average cost of office supplies per person to project office supplies costs Other Resources Describe, at a high level, your estimate of other resources or expenditures needed to implement and operate the policy. For example, will there be extensive travel [in-state and out-of-state], or consultants? For travel by car, project the number of miles to be traveled and the Federal income tax allowance for business travel mileage to develop the travel budget. If implementation requires air travel, use an online flight reservation system to determine an estimated cost of air travel. If implementation requires the use of consultants, use cost per hour and estimate the number of hours needed to calculate the consultant costs. 5. Prepare a Project Budget (20%) Summary Description Provide a summary description of the projected costs associated with the resources needed to implement the policy. These include: personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources For personnel include salary, by category of personnel, and benefits costs (use a fixed percentage). For facilities and equipment you can consider buying or renting/leasing. Describe the possible (realistic) sources of those funds (e.g., grants, loans, fees, etc.) Investigate previous programs or topics of interest that the funding source has been involved with (e.g., a foundation supporting research or programs related to your health topic). If you are assigning new responsibilities to existing staff, will displaced responsibilities need to be assumed by other staff or new staff? If so, this is an opportunity cost that must be accounted for. The budget details will be attached as an appendix. Include a ½ to 1-page budget justification describing how the resource contributes to implementing and/or operating the policy selected. 6. Communications Plan (10%) Describe the key communication points about the policy and its purpose. What medium will be used to reach the key stakeholders and other audiences? Describe how those who need or will be impacted by the policy/service/program are made aware of it. Details for the communication plan (e.g. brochures, logo, advertisements) can be included as an appendix. 7. Other Considerations (5%) Describe any key partnerships with other organizations to support policy implementation. Describe any regulatory requirements, including changes in current regulations, which may affect implementation. Describe how you will address those requirements. 8. Evaluation (10%) Describe at a high level how the program will be evaluated to ensure efficient operation and use of resources (process evaluation) and assess its success in achieving the policy goal and program goal/and objectives (outcomes evaluation) What indicators will be tracked? How will you collect the data to track the indicators? 9. References Include appropriate references to support the implementation plan. Use APA standards for the references in the paper (including citing references in the paper).
