Abstract
The paper discusses the implementation of new programs guided by policy frameworks in Allegheny County. It delves into the success, and the failures that defined the delivery and a follow up of policies in Allegheny County. The aim is to review the factors and circumstances that mentioned county successfully developed the delivery of human services. The paper intends to provide an in-depth analysis and explanation of the rationale, the political, and the policy process models and applying the same to the Allegheny County case to ascertain the quality of human services offered therein. In an attempt to determine the factors that shape the human policy and the quality of human services, the paper examines the Cobb and Elder model on the agenda as pertains to the setting. Further, it examines the three effects of the Three Streams Model in shaping human policy. The overall objective of the paper is to analyze the circumstances, factors, and models that shape human service policy by using the Allegheny case as a benchmark.
Introduction
The objective of the case study is to examine the policy-making process employed by the Allegheny County to change the quality and the quantity of human service during the reign of Commissioner Thomas Foester. Allegheny County is the second largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 1.3 million people and has no right to self-govern beyond what is granted by the state constitution and the General Assembly ( Clemons & McBeth, 2016) . During Foester’s tenure, he embarked on policy change to with the view or improving human services in the county. Foester identified the high rates of incarceration as the problem that the community faced. The commissioner then tabled the identified issues for discussion with the political figures and the community at large with the view of improving the situation by establishing community programs that will boost the prospects of the youth in securing employment and curbing crime. The implementation of new programs guided by policy frameworks essentially led to the creation of a great outlook for the county and improved the utility of the members therein.
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The Models
The rationale model examines the clarification, determination, weight, objectives, value, and specification of goals (Visvizi et al., 2018). In determining the quality and the value of the human policy, the model involves various steps that include, but not limited to, gathering data on the dispensation of an issue (Visvizi et al., 2018). It also encompasses understanding the issue and then employing critical thinking to determine its advantages and disadvantages. In the case under study, the rationale model is present in different aspects such as Commissioner Foester gathered data and employed critical thinking in the best possible way to apply the same to shape human policy in the county. Furthermore, to achieve the goal of changing the existing policy, he showed determination from data collection to the implementation of the pre-determined policies and strategies.
The political model entails the attempt by those in authority to apply strategies to maximize social welfare by correcting any identified failures by involving legal, institutional, and regulatory framework (Visvizi et al., 2018). It encompasses the political, economic, and social rules that define policy. Gaining the support of the locals or the citizens is one hallmark of the political model. The consideration of the political model in the case study reveals that human support was unwillingly provided in the case of Allegheny County. Commissioner Foester put in a lot of effort in conjunction with city officials and the governor for the implementation of programs and to gain funding for identified projects such a community college that was aimed at reducing the incarceration levels (Visvizi et al., 2018). To involve the concerned parties and the public in general, as required by the political model, Commissioner Foester the benefits of changing policies and the need to adhere to his proposals on changing policies. The feedback from staff members and the community's opinion-makers and selected members helped in defining the success in shaping the proposed policies, such as building a community college to assist in professionals' training and preventing people from turning into criminals.
The policy process involved four distinct steps that later defined the Allegheny County and transformed the community. The first step was to identify existing policies. For instance, the commissioner, together with the task force, identified that the high rates of incarceration were due to lack of meaningful activities, especially for the youth ( Clemons & McBeth, 2016) . The first step was to come up with a program that would provide training for the youth and willing individuals aimed to equip them with the necessary skills for gainful employment. The second phase was policy formulation that involved the inclusion of a community college into Allegheny County's manifesto. The third phase was to implement the policy. The identified program, which is having a community college within the county, was to be implemented. Such entails various steps such as getting the necessary permit, forming a partnership with stakeholders, securing funding, and building the college ( Clemons & McBeth, 2016) . The final stage involved was to evaluate the policy, which involved determining the, for instance, the success of the community college in providing training and reducing the rates of incarceration and recidivism within the county.
The application of the policy process enabled the county to acquire positive outcomes that provided support for individuals released from jail and prevented other people from joining crime and possibly going to jail. The initiation and the maintenance of the community college and the Family Support Centers relied on the information obtained from relatives and families that were the most affected by the incidents of crime and required an elaborate support system to improve their situation ( Clemons & McBeth, 2016) . The board of commission helped in the formulation of the intended policy. Differences in opinions meant that the implementation of the policy did not go uninterrupted as planned. The evaluation of the project ensured that the county was able to identify weaknesses within the programs and then make the necessary amends.
Cobb and Elder Model
The first element in the Cobb and Elder Model is issue creation (Jones, 2016). Issue creation encompasses the determination of the issue or the problem that a community or an entity faces. In the case, Foester identified the high rates of incarceration and the subsequent recidivism as the problems that the community faced (Jones, 2016). The commissioner then tabled the identified issues for discussion with the political figures and the community at large and told them the extent of the problem. After the discussion, the community and the opinion makers came together and settled on the creation of support programs and a community college as the most viable solutions to the problems (Jones, 2016). The case study proves the model. It means that conflicts arise based on the problem. Understanding the model ensured that Commissioner Foester was successful in acquiring the agenda status. Formulating and implementing policies that enabled the resolution of the problems, which was the objective of the entire process, was attained in the end.
Kingdoms "Three Stream" Model
Еhe model stipulates that three distinct and separate streams affect each other and determine the flow of information through society (Clemons & McBeth, 2016). The first of the three streams is a problem factor that determines or influences the agenda. The problem includes the issue with John Kane Hospital, equal treatment of employees, and creating policies that would enable the members of the community to acquire meaningful education. The leaders picked and dealt with an issue at the time. They gave proposals, debated, and changed policy based on the public’s needs. It is also based on what the council could create, depending on the available funds. The political agenda was the last stream where the commissioner sought to influence the programs identified through various levels of government and community opinion makers (Jordan & Cairney, 2013). The policies were successful as they changed the face of the community through education and reducing cases of crime and incarceration.
Conclusion
The Allegheny County case study is an example of the process of the creation of sound policies that impact the lives of the members of a particular community. It entails some of the issues that policymakers encounter in the determination and the subsequent establishment of policy. It also provides the mechanism to apply to navigate through obstacles encountered during the process of policymaking. The analysis of the case study provides a great opportunity to understand the challenges and solutions to problems associated with policy formulation, implementation, evaluation, and the means to inform stakeholders of the situation.
References
Clemons, R. S., & McBeth, M. K. (2016). Public policy praxis: A case approach for understanding policy and analysis . Routledge.
Jones, B. D. (2016). A radical idea tamed: the work of Roger Cobb and Charles Elder. In Handbook of Public Policy Agenda Setting .Edward Elgar Publishing.
Jordan, G., & Cairney, P. (2013). What is the ‘dominant model’of British policymaking? Comparing majoritarian and policy community ideas. British Politics , 8 (3), 233-259.
Visvizi, A., Lytras, M. D., Damiani, E., & Mathkour, H. (2018).Policy making for smart cities: Innovation and social inclusive economic growth for sustainability. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management .
