Long River Region Simulation. A Learning Package About Interjurisdictional Policy Management for Elected, Appointed, and Citizen Officials and Classroom Students

摘要

The Long River Region Simulation learning package is one of two prepared under HUD sponsorship by the University of Connecticut's Institute of Public Service for the National Training and Development Service. It is a leaders' and participants' manual designed for elected, appointed, career, and citizen policymakers and for classroom students wanting to solve policy management problems existing in an interjurisdictional setting. Relying heavily on learning theory, simulation allows participants to practice managing problems similar to those found on the job, but without the risks of interfering in an interjurisdictional system. Simulation contains four elements: a data base describing Long River, roles within jurisdictions, events and tasks, and skill exercises. Long River is a synthetic construction of a metropolitan area, population 700,000, with a governmental structure consisting of 12 municipalities, 2 county units, and 18 special districts. Participants are asked to play three simultaneous roles and carry out the responsibilities implied within each role. The roles include that of a community official (mayor, community leader, or city manager), that of a community representative to the Long River Region jurisdictional team, and that of a regional policy task force member dealing with a particular regional problem. The purposes of simulation are, among other things, to recast perceptions and increase understanding about interjurisdictional relations, to expand knowledge about the special character and dynamics of interjurisdictional issues, and to develop skills in policy management. Package components describe how to conduct the Long River Region Simulation in eight sessions, how to use and modify the Long River Region data base, and how to evaluate the simulation for practitioners and classroom students. Appendices contain a bibliography, a description of typical county and municipal organization structures found in the simulation, cumulative and national average tables, data base sources, and maps of the region.