Final answer:
When departments and agencies put policies into action, it is called implementation (option c). This is the third phase of the public policy process, following agenda setting and policy enactment, and preceding policy evaluation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Public Policy Process
When departments and agencies put policies into action, it is called implementation. This is the phase where, after the enactment of legislation by the legislative and/or executive branches, government agencies work to carry out the policy directives. This stage is specifically involved with the practical application of policies, typically outlined by laws or regulations.
In the broader context of the public policy process, implementation is the third of four major phases. The first two phases are agenda setting, where problems needing government action are identified and alternatives are specified, and policy enactment, where the government decides on a course of action. Following implementation is policy evaluation, where the effectiveness of the policy is assessed and feedback is provided for future policy development.