Tackling the problems of youth at risk must involve many people and organizations in communities. Developing coalitions of concerned individuals and groups can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of efforts by combining strengths and resources. Once the coalition is formed, training in areas such as group dynamics, methods of problem solving, dealing with conflict and controversy, public policy process, issue analysis, and working with public officials may be beneficial. One task of a coalition might be to adapt, create or develop public policy.
Clearly, not all problems that affect you are public policy problems. Some may be readily resolved through the problem-solving process. The effectiveness of problem-solving can improve when the method is understood.
The Problem-Solving Method
Define the Problem. Compare how things are now and the way you would like them to be. How long has the problem existed? How frequently does it occur? Who is affected?
Determine the Cause(s). This involves finding the cause of the gap between the present and the desired state.
Develop Alternative Approaches. List all possible solutions.
Assess the Consequences. Consider possible results of each alternative. Who is affected? Who pays?
Select a Solution. Choose one feasible alternative that is acceptable to the group.
Implement the Chosen Solution. Plan strategies for carrying out the plan. Most of the work is in this stage.
Evaluate. Look back to review how things went. What was successful? What went wrong? Why? These questions guide a coalition or individual through the policy analysis process.
Selecting Issues for Analysis
- Is there a decision to be made by the government?
- Can the analysis significantly influence the adoption of various alternatives?
- Does the issue involve large costs or major consequences for services?
- Is there substantial room for improving program performance?
- Is the public affected? How; directly or indirectly?
- Who else will the policy affect?
- What are the possible side effects ... immediate and long-term?
Systematic Problem Solving
Feasibility of Analysis
- Can the problem be handled by program analysis?
- Is there time for the analysis to be done before key decisions must be made?
- Are personnel and funds available to do the analysis?
- Does sufficient data exist to undertake the analysis?
- Can the needed data be gathered within the time available?
Generic Critical Questions Regarding Policy Analysis
- What are the purposes of the policy?
- Why should it be adopted?
- What is to be changed by it in both the immediate future and long term?
- How would you know if the policy had the intended impact?
- What would be accepted as evidence of its success?
- Who or what is the target of the policy?
- What would the likely consequences be if the new policy were implemented or another discontinued?
- What would be the reaction of citizens in the community?
- Who would complain?
- Who would be glad? Why?
Criteria for Selecting Final Set of Measures
Importance. Does the measure provide useful and important information on the program that justifies the difficulties in collecting, analyzing, or presenting the data?
Validity. Does the measure address the aspect of concern? Can changes in the value of the measure be clearly interpreted as desirable or undesirable? Can the changes be directly attributed to the program?
Uniqueness. Does the information provided by the measure duplicate or overlap with information provided by another measure?
Accuracy. Are the likely data sources sufficiently reliable or are there biases, exaggerations, omissions or errors that are likely to make the measure inaccurate or misleading?
Timeliness. Can the data be analyzed in time for the decision?
Privacy and Confidentiality. Are there concerns for privacy or confidentiality that would prevent the analyst from obtaining the required information?
Costs of Data Collection. Can the resource or cost requirements for data collection be met?
Completeness. Does the final set of measures cover the major aspects of the concern?
Acknowledgment
This series on Coalition Building was developed by the Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development for Family and High-Risk Youth, Richard Clark, Ph.D., director. The original authors were Ruth M. Conone, assistant director, home economics; Donna Brown, program coordinator, home economics; and Russell Willis, health education intern, Ohio Cooperative Extension Service, The Ohio State University. ©1992 The Ohio State University.
Original article adapted for use in Florida by Elizabeth B. Bolton, professor emeritus, and Lisa Guion, former assistant professor, UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Gainesville, FL.
It has been adapted for county Extension faculty in Florida to facilitate work with local and regional organizations and groups such as nonprofits, cooperatives, county Extension associations, and others that may benefit from a plan for working together to achieve mutual goals.
References
Anderson, James E. 1979. Public Policy Making. 2d ed.
Harty, Harry P., Louis Blair, Donald Fisk and Wayne Kimmel. 1976. Program Analysis for State and Local Government.
Harty, Harry P., Richard E. Winnie and Donald M. Fisk. 1981. Practical Program Evaluation for State and Local Governments. 2d ed.
Stebbins, Monine and Inge McNeese. 1983. One Step Away. Oregon Family Community Leadership HE-16-2L.