Section 4 — Current Policy

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Issue Brief Content by Section

Current Policy & Programs

For many issues, the most direct way to find out the current policy is to "follow the money." For government programs, you should identify:

the name of the program (with a web link to it) and the CFDA# if it's a Federal program;
reference to the current authorizing legislation (with a link);
the current funding level; and,
a brief description of the program.

Note that the year the authorizing legislation passed should be included in the Past Policy & Program Milestones section of your issue brief.

Example 1 —

Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("No Child Left Behind Act of 2001"), as amended (Public Law 107-110) authorizes:

21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) (CFDA # 84.287) — The 21st CCLC is a component under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In FY 2010, $320 million was appropriated for 21st CCLC to offer academic opportunities during non-school hours to more than 700,000 students. The 21st CCLC focuses on students who attend high-poverty and low-performing school. The program is designed to help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, provide literacy and other educational activities for the families of participating students.

Example 2 —

Small Business Act of 1953, as amended (Public Law 105-135), as amended authorizes

Small Business Micro-Loan Demonstration Program (CFDA 59.046)-in FY 2010 provided $32.2 million in grants and $4.2 million in loans and in FY 2009 provided $3.8 million for loans and $18.2 million for grants.

Note that links to the original sources for each should be made using the titles.

The sources for each are at the Federal or USA level are as follows: