Front Page / Guides / PolicyOptions Issue Brief Guide / Content & Formatting / Past Policy & Program Milestones

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Past Policy & Program Milestones

Past policy and program milestones concisely describe any relevant past initiatives related to the topic. 

Definitions

• Policy: a law, regulation, ordinance, or other public policy that defines what is allowed, including funding (i.e., Voting Rights Act, Economic Opportunity Act)
• Program:  a set of specific activities seeking to address a need or opportunity for people or places (i.e., jobs program)

Types of past policy and program milestones:

• Legislative milestones — significant legislation that authorizes new programs or marks shift in policy or approach. 
• Funding milestones — major increases or decreases in funding allocations. 
• Evaluation milestones —  influential evaluation or assessments that shaped understanding of the scope of the problem or relative effectiveness of important 
• Reports, studies, books — a major report or study or book is released that influences the direction of public policy.
• Organizational or program milestones —  significant events in the history of the key organizations or programs. This includes the year some of these organizations and/or their programs were founded.

As you search for Past Policy and Program Milestones, you will find historical references in a variety of places:  

• The "About Us" sections of organizational websites often provide key dates in their history (founding, major funding or program changes, etc.)
• Reports, books, and other publications may include a timeline or history section that will highlight key milestones on the issue.
• References for the past once you begin researching current policies and program. For instance, you will want to include as a past policy milestones:
• the year of the Public Law that authorizes the current Federal programs
• the founding year of especially significant organizations or programs.

Finally, you are encouraged to interview individuals in Key Organizations you will include in the local, state, and national pages of your issue brief or the authors of the studies or reports you include in your Scope of the Problem or Bibliography. They will be excellent sources of past policy and program milestones, especially at the local level where you will find less published information. 

Content Guide

• Section 1 — Goal Statement 
• Section 2 — Scope of the Problem
• Section 3 — Past Policy & Program Milestones
• Section 4 — Current Policy & Programs
• Section 5 — Policy Options or Model Programs
• Section 6 — Key Organizations
• Section 7 — Glossary of Terms