Assignment Task:
Policy:
What are legislators currently doing to address your selected advocacy priorities for a vulnerable population? Are there current policies in place? Are there current policies proposed at either the state or federal level? What are the most obvious strengths and weaknesses of these policies as they relate to your advocacy priority? What might need to change?
For this Discussion, you will identify a state or federal policy that aligns with your advocacy priority. After identifying the policy, you will consider how the policy aligns and supports your identified vulnerable population. How and why does this policy align with your advocacy priorities? Want Online Tutoring?
Resources:
Readings:
- Dawes, D. E. (2020). The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
o Chapter 5, "Wining the Game That Never Ends: Success Means Continuous Employment of the Political Determinants of Health" (pp. 112-130)
- Porche, D. J. (2023). Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
o Chapter 12, "Evidence Informing Policymaking " (pp. 175-183)
o Chapter 15, "Politics: Theory and Practice" (pp. 201-237)
- Document: Personal Legislative Agenda and Action Plan Exemplar (Word Document) Download Personal Legislative Agenda and Action Plan Exemplar (Word Document)
- Association of Public Health Nurses Public Health Policy Committee. (2021). Public health policy advocacy guidebook and tool kit
- Congress dot gov
- Congress dot gov. (2022). State legislative [Interactive media].
- Gustafson, A. (2017, December 12). How to be a political influence-as an average citizen. Currents
- Rees, A. (2013, August 6). Digital and online activism Reset: Digital for Good.
- Social Current. (n.d.). Policy, advocacy, and communications toolkit
- White, N. (2018). Introduction: Why read the Effective Activist Guide. In Effective activist: An evidence-based guide to progressive social change (pp. 6-10). Effective Activist.
To Prepare:
- Review resources related to health policy.
- Consider the health policy that might align with your advocacy priorities.
Post a response detailing the following:
Identify a proposed state and federal policy that aligns with your advocacy priorities for your vulnerable population. Clearly describe and provide evidence to support this policy. If the policy needs to change, describe and provide evidence to support the proposed change.
Respond To This Discussion Post
The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009, which was enacted on May 20, 2009, represent a significant advancement in the federal response to homelessness in the United States. This legislation not only amends but also reauthorizes the existing McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, incorporating several key enhancements aimed at improving services and support for those in need (HEARTH Act, n.d.) Changes to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act were initiated in 2012 to be included in the HEARTH Act as well.
Among the most important changes are:
- Consolidation of Competitive Grant Programs: The HEARTH Act streamlines various funding opportunities by consolidating HUD's competitive grant programs, making it easier for organizations to access financial resources for addressing homelessness.
- Creation of the Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, this new program aims to provide targeted assistance to individuals and families experiencing housing instability in less populated areas.
- Revised Definition of Homelessness: The Act introduces a more comprehensive and responsive definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness, allowing for greater inclusivity and better support for diverse populations experiencing housing crises.
- Simplified Matching Requirement: The HEARTH Act simplifies the matching requirements for funding, reducing administrative burdens on organizations and enabling them to focus more effectively on service delivery.
- Increased Resources for Prevention: A significant portion of the Act's provisions is dedicated to escalating resources for homelessness prevention, empowering communities to mitigate the risk of individuals and families losing their homes.
- Heightened Focus on Performance Outcomes: Finally, the Act places greater emphasis on performance measures, encouraging programs to achieve tangible results and improve their efficiency in effectively addressing homelessness.
While the HEARTH Act establishes programs to help combat homelessness, it does not specifically address the needs of the homeless veteran population, nor is it tailored to Florida.
The NVHS (2024) provides a comprehensive overview of the initiatives and resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aimed at addressing the critical issue of homelessness among veterans in Central Florida. It details a variety of programs, including robust housing assistance that helps veterans secure safe and stable living environments, as well as essential healthcare services that cater to their unique medical and mental health needs. Additionally, the report discusses the importance of community partnerships that foster collaboration among local organizations and the VA, creating a united effort to support veterans in their journey toward long-term self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. The article highlights the necessity of these joint efforts to make a meaningful impact in the fight against veteran homelessness.
References:
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act. (n.d.). HUD Exchange.
Nvhs. (2024, December 20). VA Homeless programs for veterans in central Florida. NVHS.