Policy and Systems Change

© 2008 University of Michigan / Pyramid Communications, Inc.

• Develop a shared understanding of what we mean by “policy and systems change”

• Demonstrate ways collaborative members can engage in policy and systems change efforts

Objectives

Policy and Policy Change

What is policy?

•Organizational policy

•Public policy

Organizational policy

A set of rules and understandings that govern behavior and practice within a business, nonprofit or government agency

A set of agreements about how government shall address societal needs and spend public funds that are:

• Articulated by leaders • In all three branches of government• Embedded in many different policy instruments (for example, laws

and regulations)

Public policy

What is NOT policy

The enactment of new policies or a change in or enforcement of existing policies

What is policy change?

Examples of Organizational Policies

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan

Farmers Market Durango, Colorado

Kaiser Permanente’s Comprehensive Food Policy

Public Policy Examples: Legislative, Executive

and Judicial

• Legislative Where laws are written

• Executive Where laws are administered and enforced

• Judicial Where laws are interpreted

Definitions

Public: Legislative

StateMichigan State Law Policy to change the competitive bidding threshold for food

Public: Legislative

RegionalWoodbury County, Iowa Organics Conversion Policy

Public: Legislative

Seattle, WashingtonParks and Recreation levy

Local

Public: Legialative

Sovereign Nation Tribal CouncilSchool nutritional standards

Tribal

Public: Executive

USDA Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Federal

Public: Executive

Metropolitan Transportation Commission of the Bay Area, California Housing Incentive Program

Regional

Public: Executive

Sunnyvale, California Parks and Recreation Department Sliding scale fees policy

Local

Public: Judicial

Florida First District Court of Appeal State Court ruling regarding the establishment of bicycle and pedestrian paths

Systems andSystems Change

A group of independent but interrelated and interacting elements – individuals, institutions and infrastructure – that form a unified whole

What is a system?

The who, what, where, when and why of our food as it travels from farm to fork

Food system

Active transportation system

How people move from place to place and the choices and opportunities that are available

Systems change occurs when one or several elements in a system substantially change, altering their relationship to one another and the overall structure of the system itself

What is systems change?

• Systems are largely determined by public and organizational policies

• Policy change is an important driver of systems change

What is the relationship between policy and systems change?

Portland’s vision to change the active transportation system

Make the bicycle an integral part of daily life in Portland by creating a seamless and varied bicycle network connecting all parts of the city

• Appointment of a Bicycle Advisory Committee

• Bicycle Master Plan

• Capital investment and city funding

• Complementary transportation options

Public policy changes that helped Portland achieve it’s vision

Systems change outcomes•Three-fold increase in bicycling

•Decrease in the bicycle injury rate

•16% of employees use bicycles for primary or secondary transportation to/from work

• Cross-site discussions regarding Policy and Systems Change

• Future Presentations:– A Food & Fitness Picture of Systems Change

– Advocacy for Policy Change

Next Steps

Northeast Iowa is a unique place where all residents and guests experience, celebrate and

promote healthy locally grown food with abundant opportunities for physical activity and

play EVERY DAY. Healthier people make stronger families and vibrant communities.