Public Hearing

Your Task

For this assignment, you will attend a public hearing, or other meeting open to the public, being conducted regarding the social policy area the student is interested or would like to learn more.  The purpose for attending the meeting is to collect data regarding the policy area and to observe how testimony is organized and presented.  The student may also view a public hearing via television or video on the internet.  If the student chooses to view a public hearing via a video, it must be related to their topic of study or interest. Each student will prepare a 4- 6 page paper regarding the hearing that was attended which will be turned in no later than February 8th.

Students are encouraged to attend a public hearing before this time, but availability of hearings vary, thus this is the latest. Public hearings are listed on local, state and federal government websites.

Your paper should include the following points:

Introduction:

·         Identify the date of the hearing, where it was held and the purpose of the public hearing.  What topic or proposal was being discussed?  If this was related to a bill, please identify it by number and title. If it was related to a regulation or policy, please identify by name and number (if a regulation, for example; “Draft Chapter 9999, Home Health Regulations.”  Identify the committee or panel and chair names.

Details of Hearing Process:

·         Discuss the agenda for the hearing

·         Provide details about how the hearing opened up and how it proceeded, who spoke and what groups they represented

·          Note if there were any changes to the original agenda or if any business items were deferred for a future date and why

Testimony Discussion:

• Who presented testimony and what group did they represent?
• Did they make compelling arguments for or against the particular issue(s) being proposed?
• What was strong about their testimony?
• Which issues do you think could have been strengthened and how?
• What types of questions were asked?
• What was the tone of the meeting?  Did the tone change at all?  How did people react to the change in tone?

Conclusion:

·         The student is to summarize what they learned from this experience.

·         How did this experience help you as a future MSW policy practitioner better understand your potential role on the policy development process?

·         Did anything discussed or presented conflict with the goals (e.g., promotion of social justice) of social work?   Please explain /expand

Process Stages to be followed:

1. Read through the assignment and rubric carefully. Identify areas needing clarification and ask questions in class. After you are done with this, create a personal timeline for you to complete the following stages by the requisite deadlines.
2. Choose the social policy area you are interested in and identify public meetings scheduled during the semester on this topic.
3. Attend the hearing and take notes.
4. Write a draft of the paper. Review APA and grammar checklists. Review with the rubric and fill out your self-assessment.
5. Turn the paper in via Canvas by 11:59 PM on February 8^th.

Format

The written paper should be 4-6 pages total, including your cover page and reference page, using Arial 11-point font size, single-spaced, and one-inch margins. Follow the formatting style as described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6^th edition). No abstract is needed. Per the syllabus, the paper is due on February 8th via Canvas. Ten percentage points will be deducted for every 24 hours your paper is turned in after 11:59 PM.