One thing to keep in mind is that this needs to be linked directly to our capstone theme – so in talking about addiction, you need to specify what type of addiction (and it should be related to technology). I can see how the two aspects go hand in hand (destigmatizing and raising visibility), but if you choose to integrate both, you need to make sure that you can do so and fully develop your ideas and policy around both.
So, once you’ve decided on a specific problem to address, you also need to identify the target population. Who do these issues affect the most? Who do you want to target an intervention/policy at?
Hopefully you’ve already been doing research on current policies related to your topic. Because you need to suggest a specific policy to implement to address this issue with the target population you identify.
Abstract – this should be no more than 500 words and briefly describe the issue, solution, whom it would serve, where, and to what purpose. This is often the first and only thing that gets read when proposals are going through the initial phase of the funding process. Make your words count.
Background & Problem Definition- this section should provide background information about the topic and/or problem you chose for this project. This section will likely contain statistics and/or figures that define the problem and who it affects.
Current Policy this section should describe existing policy solutions, if any, to address the problem. Are existing policies effective? Why or why not?
Proposed Solution this section will explain in detail what your proposed solution is. How will it address your chosen health problem? What outcomes do you hope to achieve with your policy?
Merit/Justification/Analysis this section should explain why your proposed solution should receive community support, whom it will help, and why it matters. You want to argue that your solution is a logical next step that will have a positive impact. There are several criteria commonly utilized by policy analysts: (1) efficacy, (2) cost, (3) equity, (4) administrative feasibility, (5) unintended consequences, (6) sustainability, and (7) political feasibility.
