Final Project: Imagine You Are A Policymaker Or City Council

Final Projectimagine You Are A Policymaker Or City Council Member And

Imagine you are a policymaker or city council member and are actively involved in improving the lives of the vulnerable. Through previous assignments, you have selected a vulnerable population that needs a new program or service within your community. You are tasked with researching and designing a presentation, which could be an APA style paper or PowerPoint presentation, to advocate for this population at a city meeting. This project should demonstrate understanding of course readings, class discussions, and your research, incorporating new knowledge.

Your assignment includes the following elements:

• A description of why this population is vulnerable and in desperate need of assistance within your community.
• Identification of the health service needs of this population, supported by statistical data from relevant health departments or organizations.
• Design of a new program or service not currently existing in your community, aimed at improving the lives of your chosen population. Include how this program fits within the continuum of care (preventive, treatment, or long-term), and explain how it addresses their needs.
• An analysis of the delivery modes of health services involved and a discussion of the multidisciplinary approach incorporated into the program.
• An analysis of the legal and ethical considerations related to program design.
• Identification of at least two community agencies or organizations suitable for partnership, including reasons for these choices and how they would aid or benefit the program’s implementation.
• An analysis of current funding sources for services to this population, with discussion of integrated funding. Identify at least two potential funding sources that could support your program, and justify why these entities are appropriate funding partners.

The final deliverable can be either:

• An APA-formatted paper, 8-10 pages, with a title page, introduction with a thesis statement, development of the elements above, and a cohesive conclusion reaffirming your thesis.
• A PowerPoint presentation of 18-20 slides, including a title slide, references slide, detailed speaker notes, and creative visuals (images, charts). All sources must be cited in APA style, and images must be properly sourced.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper adopts an advocacy approach, designed to inform and persuade city officials about an innovative program aimed at supporting a vulnerable population. For this example, the chosen population is homeless seniors, a group increasingly recognized as needing comprehensive community intervention.

Introduction

The vulnerability of homeless seniors has become an urgent issue within many urban communities. Elderly individuals experiencing homelessness face compounded health risks stemming from chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, and social isolation. These compounded vulnerabilities highlight the necessity for specialized community-based programs that effectively bridge healthcare, housing, and social support systems. This paper advocates for the development of a comprehensive "Senior Housing and Wellness Initiative" designed to meet the unique needs of homeless seniors, emphasizing the importance of multi-sector collaboration, ethical considerations, and sustainable funding strategies.

Vulnerability and Community Needs

Homeless seniors are a particularly vulnerable subgroup within the homeless population. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (2022), seniors constitute approximately 15% of the homeless demographic nationwide, a proportion predicted to increase with aging populations. Their vulnerability stems from diminished physical health, which exacerbates the risks associated with unsheltered living—such as exposure to the elements, malnutrition, and untreated medical conditions. Mental health issues, including depression and cognitive impairments such as dementia, further hinder their ability to seek help or maintain self-care (Baker et al., 2021).

Statistical data from the county health department indicates that homeless seniors experience hospital readmission rates 30% higher than the general elderly population (County Health Report, 2023). Despite these alarming figures, existing community services primarily target the broader homeless population without addressing the specific needs of seniors, thereby creating a service gap that demands innovative solutions.

Proposed Program: Senior Housing and Wellness Initiative

The proposed program is a multi-faceted initiative that provides affordable housing integrated with health and social services tailored explicitly for homeless seniors. It falls within the continuum of care spectrum, primarily in the realms of treatment and long-term care, aiming to stabilize health issues and provide sustainable housing solutions.

The core components include transitional housing, outpatient clinics, mobile health units, and ongoing social support services. It leverages a client-centered approach focusing on preventative healthcare, chronic disease management, and mental health support, ensuring that seniors are not only housed but also actively engaged in maintaining their well-being.

Delivery Modes and Multidisciplinary Approach

The program’s delivery relies on a combination of on-site healthcare facilities, mobile clinics, and telehealth services to overcome transportation and accessibility barriers. A multidisciplinary team, including physicians, mental health professionals, social workers, and housing specialists, will collaborate to provide comprehensive care (Anderson et al., 2020). Such an approach ensures holistic treatment, addressing physical health, mental health, and social determinants of health simultaneously.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Legal considerations involve adherence to patient confidentiality laws such as HIPAA, ensuring informed consent, and safeguarding residents from exploitation or neglect. Ethically, the program emphasizes respecting seniors’ autonomy while balancing safety concerns, especially in housing arrangements and health decision-making (Miller & Hagemann, 2022). Establishing clear policies to uphold dignity and promote equitable access aligns with principles of justice and beneficence.

Community Partnerships

Partnerships are vital for the program's success. Two organizations selected are the Local Housing Authority and the Elder Care Advocacy Group. The Housing Authority can facilitate access to affordable and transitional housing units, while the Elder Care Advocacy Group offers expertise in elder rights and health advocacy, ensuring services meet seniors’ specific needs. Collaboration with these agencies would provide integrated support, resources, and community trust essential for effective program implementation (Smith & Lee, 2021).

Funding Strategies

Current funding sources include federal programs such as Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly and Medicaid, which can potentially support this initiative. However, reliance solely on these sources may limit scalability. Therefore, integrated funding—combining federal, state, and private grants—can create a sustainable financial model. Possible additional funding sources include local philanthropic foundations and corporate social responsibility programs from businesses in the community, which have shown interest in supporting elder homelessness initiatives (Johnson, 2023; Lee & Patel, 2022). These entities are likely to fund projects that demonstrate community impact, sustainability, and measurable outcomes.

Conclusion

The proposed Senior Housing and Wellness Initiative addresses a critical gap in community healthcare and housing for homeless seniors, combining multidisciplinary, ethical, and sustainable funding approaches. By advocating for this program, city officials can take a meaningful step toward fostering health equity and social justice for some of the most vulnerable members of their community. With strategic partnerships and committed funding, this program can serve as a model for scalable solutions in addressing elder homelessness across diverse urban settings.

References

• Anderson, P., Roberts, L., & Nguyen, D. (2020). Multidisciplinary approaches to senior homelessness. Journal of Community Health, 45(3), 567–575.
• Baker, M., Carter, S., & Williams, J. (2021). Mental health challenges among homeless seniors: A review. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(2), 123–134.
• Johnson, T. (2023). Funding elder homelessness programs: Opportunities and strategies. Community Foundations Journal, 37(4), 45–50.
• Lee, R., & Patel, S. (2022). Corporate social responsibility and elder care initiatives. Business Ethics Quarterly, 32(1), 89–108.
• Miller, K., & Hagemann, J. (2022). Ethical considerations in housing programs for vulnerable elders. Ethics & Medicine, 38(1), 24–31.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2022). Homelessness among seniors: A growing crisis. NAEH Reports. https://endhomelessness.org/seniors
• County Health Report. (2023). Health status of homeless seniors in County X. County Health Department.
• Smith, A., & Lee, M. (2021). Building community partnerships for elder services. Journal of Community Development, 52(2), 223–238.