Development of a Public Policy Project in the Graduate
Dietetic Internship Program
University of Maine
Promising Approaches
- (3) Design and
implement programs that provide students with the opportunity to apply what
they learn through performing community service that is linked to the formal
curriculum and classroom instruction.
Overview
The project is a two-semester project in FSN 650, FSN
651.
1st semester. Teams composed of graduate students identify a public policy issue of
concern to the profession of dietetics, research the issue, develop policy
statement, and plan of action. Top
policy priority areas in the dietetics profession include; Elderly Nutrition,
Children Nutrition, Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Reform, Health Claims
Labeling, and Food and Nutrition Assistance .
2nd semester. Teams carry out some form of implementation project to influence
policy. The team decides a good venue
for influencing public policy and what strategies might be most effective. Possible activities might include writing
informational articles for newsletter; using other forms of media for advocacy;
developing presentations for and providing resources to community agencies,
such as a school board; visiting and providing resources to legislators.
Report Format
- Statement
of the problem or issue
- Historical
background
- Presentation
of divergent points of view
- Statement
of policy
- Plan
of action to address policy issue
- Implementation/application/advocacy
activity
- Outcome/evaluation
- List
of resources
Assessment: Each semester, 1 written mid status report; final report
given in oral and written format
For example, one team partnered with Old Town Elementary School on policy related to
snacks for elementary school children. They surveyed available literature on educational policies relating to
school snacks and conducted their own observational research, surveys, and
interviews with children and staff at the school. They presented their findings and
recommendations to a meeting of parents, administrators, and teachers in April
2005, including a number of specific action steps the school and teachers can
take to improve their students’ health and nutrition while fitting in with the
children’s schedules.
Special Features
Civic Learning Goals
Students will be able to:
- Participate
in public policy through identifying needs, getting issues on the right agenda,
formulating policy, implementing and evaluating a policy issue
- Discuss
controversies associated with differing viewpoints
Students will be able to:
- Participate
in legislative and public policy processes as they affect food, food security,
and/or nutrition
- Develop
skills in networking with community leaders and decision-makers
- Practice
critical thinking skills and group problem solving
Students will be able to:
- Appreciate
policy as action that aids the public good and can evoke significant impact on
societal behavior
- Value
the regulatory nature of policy
- Appreciate
the importance of being involved in public policy as a means of improving the
quality and availability of food and nutrition services for the community
Contact Information
Adrienne A. White, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Nutrition and Food and Director, Dietetic Internship Program
The University of Maine white@umenfa.maine.edu
