Seminar in EOH Programs and Standards
Instructor: Tom Hatfield, R.E.H.S., Dr.P.H.
Office hours: W 4-5 (Room Eng. 2101-H)
Phone: Office: 677-4708
FAX: 677-2045
Internet: TOM.HATFIELD@CSUN.EDU
Classes: M 4-7 (Eng. 2115)
1) use library resources to access the environmental health
literature (minimum of 10 references in final paper),
2) prepare an introductory pre-paper (about 5 pages) and
comprehensive final paper (about 20 pages) that
summarizes, analyzes, and critiques the literature on a
selected problem in environmental health,
3) deliver a clear oral presentation of the analysis in an
interdisciplinary setting (30-45 minutes), and
4) ask effective questions about presentations by
colleagues (about 5-15 minutes for each presentation).
1. Technical problems: is the underlying problem filled with
technical uncertainties and difficulties?
2. Diversity of behavior: programs and standards usually
regulate some kind of behavior. Are the underlying behaviors
highly diverse? If so, it is usually more difficult to
manage.
3. Target group as % of total population: if a program or
standard focuses on a small, well-defined population, it is
usually more successful. How large is the target group
in relation to the total population?
4. Behavioral change required: small changes in behavior are
easier than fundamental and sweeping changes. How much
behavioral change is required?
5. Clear, consistent objectives: sometimes a program or standard
has dramatic rhetoric but vague objectives. How clear and
consistent are the objectives?
6. Adequate causal theory: is the law or program clearly based
on adequate scientific theory?
7. Financial resources: is there enough money to carry out the
standard or program?
8. Hierarchical integration: if a program or standard is
implemented by a combination of agencies (or offices), it
will be less consistent, unless the law or policy addresses
problems in variation. Does the standard or program
adequately integrate the activities of different agencies?
9. Clear decision rules: how do you decide if a standard is
violated, a program is successful, or which actions to take
in implementing the program or standard?
10. Commitment of officials: Do they people carrying out the
program or enforcing the standard have appropriate training
and motivation (i.e., adequate pay)?
11. Formal access by outsiders: can watchdog groups and affected
constituents help keep the program or standard "honest"?
12. Socioeconomic and technical conditions: general political
and economic conditions (election years, recessions, etc.)
can affect how well a program/standard is implemented.
13. Public support: public support helps the implementation
of a program or standard (all other things being equal).
14. Attitudes and resources of constituency: a program or
standard always has a constituency that benefits from its
implementation. If their support wanes over time,
implementation is likely to suffer.
15. Support from sovereigns (elected officials, etc.): support
from elected officials and CEOs is usually crucial to
successful implementation.
16. Leadership skills of officials: how effective are the
leaders who must implement the programs and standards?
*** These guidelines were developed by Daniel Mazmanian and
Paul Sabatier in Implementation and Public Policy.