Capstone Project: Organization Selection.
ANSWER
Title: Proposal for Course Capstone Project – Public Health Organization Research
I. Introduction
The Course Capstone Project is an essential element of our course, designed to provide valuable insights into the functioning of public health organizations within larger public health systems. In this proposal, I will outline my plan to investigate a specific public health organization and its role within the broader public health system. The ultimate goal of this project is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s roles, goals, service gaps, communication strategies, and potential measures for improvement.
II. Selection of Public Health Organization
I have chosen to investigate the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Health and Human Services as the specific public health organization for this Capstone Project.
- Description of the Larger Public Health System: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a critical federal agency tasked with the responsibility of enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans. It is a prominent component of the larger public health system at the federal level, encompassing various agencies and programs dedicated to public health, healthcare, and social services.
- Description of the Organization: The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) is an integral division within the Department of Health and Human Services. NCBDDD focuses on preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions through research, surveillance, education, and intervention programs. It plays a vital role in promoting the health of vulnerable populations, including children and individuals with disabilities.
III. Reasons for Selection
Several reasons motivate my choice of investigating NCBDDD within the Department of Health and Human Services:
- Public Health Impact: Birth defects and developmental disabilities have a significant impact on public health, and addressing these issues aligns with the core mission of public health organizations.
- Relevance to Course Content: This project allows me to delve deeper into topics covered in our course, such as public health administration, health promotion, and healthcare delivery systems.
- Diverse Stakeholders: NCBDDD collaborates with various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and families affected by birth defects and developmental disabilities. This diversity of stakeholders provides an opportunity to gain a holistic perspective on public health administration.
IV. Selection of Interviewees
For my Capstone Project, I plan to interview the following individuals from NCBDDD:
- Internal Administrator: Ms. Jane Doe, Director of NCBDDD – Ms. Doe has been a dedicated leader within NCBDDD for over a decade. Her extensive experience in public health administration and her role as the director make her a valuable source of insights into the organization’s operations, challenges, and future goals.
- External Stakeholder: Dr. John Smith, a pediatrician specializing in developmental disabilities – Dr. Smith has collaborated closely with NCBDDD on research projects and interventions. His perspective as an external stakeholder and a healthcare provider will provide valuable insights into the organization’s interactions with external partners and the impact of its work on the healthcare community.
V. Rationale for Selection of Interviewees
- Internal Administrator: Ms. Jane Doe’s long-standing leadership role within NCBDDD ensures that she possesses a deep understanding of the organization’s internal operations, goals, and challenges. Her insights will be instrumental in uncovering the nuances of public health administration within a federal agency.
- External Stakeholder: Dr. John Smith’s experience as an external stakeholder will shed light on how NCBDDD collaborates with healthcare professionals in the field. His perspective will help evaluate the organization’s effectiveness in bridging the gap between public health initiatives and healthcare delivery.
In conclusion, the selection of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Health and Human Services for my Capstone Project aligns with the objectives of gaining a comprehensive understanding of public health administration. The chosen interviewees will provide valuable insights into the organization’s operations and its impact on public health. This project promises to be a significant learning experience that contributes to our understanding of public health systems and their roles in promoting health and well-being.
QUESTION
Description
The Course Capstone Project is a research and engagement project you will complete in segments throughout the course. You are expected to complete work on your Course Capstone Project each week.
For this project, you will interview a practicing administrator at a specific health service organization, an external stakeholder of the organization, and one consumer of the organization’s services. The purpose of these interviews is to understand the roles and goals of the organization, gaps in service, communication strategies, and potential measures to close gaps and improve service.
The end product of your research and engagement will be a detailed white paper covering all information gained in your interviews.
Your tasks this week are to identify the organization you will investigate and to write a proposal for your Course Capstone Project.
Identify a specific public health organization within a larger public health system (federal, state, or local governmental services; or non-governmental services) that you are interested in investigating. Ch. 5 of Novick & Morrow’s Public Health Administration describes the types of public health systems and functions from which you may choose. You may use the organization that you choose to research in the Wk 1 Discussion – The Organization of a Specific Public Health System learning activity, or you may choose a different organization to explore for your Capstone Project.Some examples of organizations within larger public health systems include:
A federal agency with public health functions, such as the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Health and Human Services
- A state health department division, such as an injury and violence prevention division
A local health department function, such as an emergency response management division
A nonprofit organization, such as the American Lung Association or United Way
A nongovernmental community health center, such as one serving immigrant populations
Once you have identified an organization within a larger public system that you would like to explore, write a 2-page proposal in which you do the following:
Describe the larger public health system that the organization is part of.
Describe the department or organization that you will explore within this system.
Explain why you chose the organization and/or public health system.
Identify an internal administrator and external stakeholder from the organization who you will interview as part of your Capstone Project.
Provide a rationale for your choice of administrator and stakeholder interviewees.