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Program Tracks
The program will offer two different tracks:
- A residential model that includes a nine-to-12-month placement in Washington, D.C. or at a state agency (as a legislative assistant in Congress, a professional staff member in an executive agency or in a policy organization); and
- A non-residential model that includes a health policy project and brief placement(s) throughout the year at relevant sites (as opposed to a nine-to-12-month relocation). The health policy projects may be national, state, local, or institution-based.
Whereas the residential model provides fellows with a hands-on policy experience in settings that offer exposure to a wide range of policy issues, the non-residential model focuses on the completion of a specific health policy project with placement opportunities tailored to the fellows’ individual policy interests and background. Once selected, the NPO (along with staff from the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program) will work with each fellow to identify appropriate projects, placements, and mentors.
Fellows in both tracks will to participate in core program components that are designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to translate their work into policy action (see Core Program Components for Both Tracks).
Examples of residential placements for potential fellows include:
A fellow is placed in the office of a Representative whose district has a large percent of adults 65+. The fellow builds on the Congressman's interest and augments the office's expertise in issues around the future health care workforce for older Americans and increasing consumer involvement in Medicare (as well as other issues on the legislative agenda).
A fellow is placed with a Representative on the House Ways and Means Committee with a particular focus on nursing home quality and addressing incentives around nursing home care (as well as other areas on the legislative agenda).
To obtain a feel for the fellowship experience, please see perspectives written by former fellows of the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program at http://www.apsanet.org/section_165.cfm (under “Articles About the Program”).
Examples of non-residential projects for potential fellows include:
A fellow examines policies affecting older adults with multiple, serious chronic conditions - costs of care; differential impact of health care costs and access by race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status; improvements in the health care system including models of care coordination.
A fellow examines policies affecting the economic security of vulnerable and disadvantaged older adults - access to low income benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, LIHEAP, food stamps, etc.), pensions and retirement income; employment and transitions to work; consumer protections (predatory lending, telemarketing fraud); financial literacy.
A fellow examines policies that promote civic engagement (volunteerism and community engagement) by older adults and caregivers to improve the healthcare system and the well being of older Americans (especially individuals with low incomes and people of color).
A fellow examines issues and challenges, and policies affecting Medicare beneficiaries, with an emphasis on those who are low-income, dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, racial/ethnic minorities, high cost, with long-term care needs, or enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.
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