1. Describe the audience (i.e., organization leaders, hospital administration, community council members, neighborhood association, neighbors, school board, colleagues, etc.) you wish to target who has the potential to enact your proposed policy.
a. Explain how your proposed policy will affect your chosen target audience from prompt A1.
2. Describe the problem to be solved by the proposed policy.
3. Describe your proposed policy and how it will be implemented.
Target Audience: School board members, district administrators, and state legislators.
The increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among youth, coupled with limited access to mental health services in schools, has led to a crisis. Students are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, impacting their academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being.
The proposed policy mandates that all public schools allocate a specific percentage of their budget to mental health services. This funding will be used to hire qualified mental health professionals, implement evidence-based prevention and intervention programs, and provide professional development for school staff.
Implementation steps:
By providing adequate funding and support, this policy aims to improve access to mental health services for all students, leading to better academic outcomes, improved social-emotional well-being, and a healthier school environment.