Government: Big Dog-Part #2

Government Assistance Programs “Policy Paper”: 100 Point Assignment

This research paper will help you develop an understanding of government and politics through investigation of a government assistance program. This paper will serve to complete the 2nd part of a 2-part project to be completed by all students who take Applied Government. This paper’s emphasis and focus will allow a student to develop and defend a thesis that offers an opinion and/or a solution to a current government assistance program. The student will evaluate a current government program and look at the following: history, purpose, funding, controversy, and political opinion to determine its effectiveness. The key for the student will be using evidence of support.

Topical Ideas:

  1. Career Development Assistance
  2. AgrAbility Grants
  3. Dislocated Worker Program (Workforce Investment Act, Title I)
  4. Indian Employment Assistance
  5. Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI)
  6. One-Stop Career Center Initiative
  7. Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
  8. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans with Disabilities
  9. Youth Education and Training Activities
  10. Child Care/Child Support
  11. Adoption Assistance
  12. Child Care Resource and Referral Organizations
  13. Child Care and Development Fund
  14. Child Support Enforcement (CSE)
  15. Family Planning Services Program
  16. Foster Care
  17. Head Start
  18. Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
  19. Vaccines for Children (VFC)
  20. Counsel/Counseling
  21. Child Care Resource and Referral Services
  22. Employment and Training Assistance
  23. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPTBG)
  24. TRIO Student Support Services
  25. Disability Assistance
  26. Assistive Technology Act Program
  27. Client Assistance Program (CAP)
  28. Independent Living State Grants for Individuals with Disabilities
  29. Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities
  30. Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
  31. Special Education--Grants to States
  32. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  33. Disaster Relief
  34. (IRS) Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program
  35. Crop Insurance
  36. Farm Emergency Loans
  37. Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG)
  38. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP
  39. Education/Training
  40. Adult Education--Basic Grants to States
  41. Education Exchange
  42. Even Start
  43. Exchange
  44. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  45. Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
  46. Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
  47. Energy Assistance
  48. Low-Income High Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  49. Weatherization Assistance Program
  1. Food/Nutrition
  2. Food Stamps
  3. School Breakfast and Lunch Programs
  4. Special Milk Program
  5. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  6. Summer Food Program
  7. Grants/Scholarships/Fellowships
  8. Advanced Placement Test Fee Program
  9. Federal Pell Grants
  10. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
  11. Federal Work-Study Program
  12. Healthcare
  13. Children's Health Insurance Program
  14. Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
  15. Housing
  16. Adjustable Rate Mortgage Insurance (HUD/FHA)
  17. Basic FHA Loan (Home Mortgage Insurance - HUD/FHA)
  18. HUD Public Housing Program
  19. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
  20. Rural Housing Loans
  21. Insurance
  22. Unemployment Insurance
  23. Living Assistance
  24. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  25. Loan/Loan Repayment
  26. 7(a) Small Business Loan
  27. Federal Perkins Loan Program
  28. Hope for Homeowners
  29. Microloan Program
  30. PLUS Parent Loans
  31. Stafford Loans for Students
  32. Medicaid/Medicare
  33. Medicaid
  34. Medicare
  35. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
  36. Social Security
  37. Social Security Child's Insurance Benefits
  38. Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
  39. Social Security Divorced Spouse Benefits
  40. Social Security Mother's or Father's Insurance Benefits
  41. Social Security Parent's Insurance Benefits
  42. Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits
  43. Social Security Spouse's Insurance Benefits
  44. Social Security Widow(er)'s Insurance Benefits
  45. Tax Assistance
  46. Child Tax Credit
  47. Child and Dependent Care Credit
  48. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  49. Veterans-Active Duty
  50. Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP)
  51. Veterans’ Employment Program
  52. VA-Education, Health Care, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Survivor’s Payments

DUE DATE: All papers are due by the Monday of the last week of the 2nd/4th quarter

Key Websites:

  1. User Name: OH0939H
  2. Password: 45036
  3. Submit and Access “SIRS Knowledge Source”
  4. Click on “SIRS Researcher” or “SIRS Government Reporter”
  5. If you need them, the username is“think” and the password is“infohio”

Paper

Guide to Research/Writing Paper

1. Choose a Topic.

Does It Create Personal Interest?

Can It Be Adequately Addressed in Paper?

2. Choose a Focus.

What Are the Key Issues/Solutions/Problems/Controversies That Interest You the Most?

3. Create a Thesis Statement.

Will Your Thesis Assert an Opinion or Offer a Solution?

What Evidence Will You Use to Support?

4. Brainstorm.

Find Evidence/Supporting Ideas

5. Select and Read Newspapers, Magazines, Government Documents, Primary Sources, Viewpoints, References,

Graphics, and Websites.

6. Critically Read and Analyze Each Document.

7. Review and Revise Your Thesis.

Has Your Opinion Changed?

Have You Developed a New Focus/Discovered Something New?

Is Your Thesis Too Broad/Too Specific?

8. Evaluate Your Sources.

Do You Have an Adequate Number?

Do You Have a Variety?

Are Your Sources Appropriately Used?

Are You Relying Too Heavily On One Source?

Are Your Statistics Reliable?

Do You Need More Evidence to Support Your Ideas/Thesis?

9. Consolidate All of Your Evidence, Thesis, and Supporting Ideas Into a First Draft.

Introduction (Thesis)

At Least One Paragraph Per Supporting Idea (Relevant Evidence and Explanation of Support)

Summary /Direct Quotes

Proper Documentation

Conclusion

10. Evaluation

Did You Stay On Task? (Reference to Thesis)

Did You Avoid Plagiarism? (In-Text Citations, Bibliography)

Did You Avoid Careless Errors? (Proofread, Correct Grammar, Spellcheck)

Necessary Elements

Your grade will be based on the following:

Form: 10 Points(double-spaced; 6-8 pages [1500 + words]; proper font [10-12], typed)

Proper Citations: 10 Points(bibliography/works cited andin-text citations)

Sources: 10 Points(You must attach a paper trail including at least one of each of the following: newspapers,

magazines, government documents, primary sources, and graphics. You may also include information from other’s personal viewpoints, references, and websites)

Thesis Statement: 10 Points (You must assert an opinion or offer a solution.)

Supporting Ideas: 10 Points (You must have fivesupporting ideas that focus on history, purpose, funding,

controversy, and political opinion related to the government assistance program)

Evidence of Support: 50 Points (You must focus your evidence around each idea and connect it to the following:

History-When was it founded? Why was it created?

Purpose-What is the primary purpose as it exists today? What individuals are the beneficiaries of the program?

Funding-How is it funded? What are the recent budget/spending levels?

Controversy-What are past issues? What are current/future problems?

Political Opinion- What laws, regulations, and rules exist surrounding your program?

What stance have political parties and/or individual politicians taken in relation to your government assistance program?