Civic and Social Responsibility Essay

Learning Objective: This assignment is part of the Davenport University Excellence System competency for Civic & Social Responsibility.  Graduates recognize the value of civic and social responsibility to empower themselves to make informed decisions and participate in the communities in which they live.

Scenario: You work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a project manager and have been tasked with putting together a plan for a community needs assessment.  You have presented the WBS below.  Leadership would like you to explain why each of the highlighted work packages below are needed. Some specific questions need to be addressed in your explanation:

• #2 Leadership would like to understand the purpose of using economic, social, and environmental factors for needs assessments.  What do these factors have to do with identifying potentials needs of a community?  Please provide at least one example with your explanation.
• #3 Why is a diverse project team needed?  Please provide 4-5 examples of community  representatives who you may ask to be on this team.
• #4 What is the purpose of creating a stakeholder communication plan?  Can’t we simply identify the stakeholders?
• #6 The leadership team is concerned about cost and time, and therefore would like to understand more about the options that might be considered for tools/methods for gathering data.  Please at least two tools/methods and the pros/cons of each.

Project: Community Needs Assessment

Work Breakdown Structure – Work Packages

1. Identify the scope of the assessment. (Define the community and community sectors to be assessed.)
2. Identify which economic, social, and environmental factors you will assess about the community
3. Identify a diverse community team representative of the community
4. Identify stakeholders / Develop stakeholder communication plan
5. Develop questions that will uncover the strengths and weaknesses in the community
6. Select tools/methods for data collection
   (Note: gather data to answer the questions from #5)
7. Gather data
8. Assess and summarize data
9. Recommend potential areas of improvement (needs) for the community

 

Instructions: Write your paper in APA format.  Organize your document by using an appropriate numbered / titled subheading for each of the four work packages (#2, 3, 4, 6).  Provide your detailed explanations with supporting evidence (using academic research) and examples. To earn full credit, answers must address the requirements from the rubric.  The paper should be 3-4 pages. In addition, a cover page and reference page are required.

 

Assignment rubric. Please review the rubric for this assignment before you begin.  It is posted as a PDF file in the Rubrics post in the Syllabus area.

This assignment will use SafeAssign.  For information on SafeAssign, please see the post at the top of Written Assignments.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring Your Paper

1. Cover Page (APA Format)
   • Title: Community Needs Assessment Plan for the CDC
   • Your Name
   • Course Name and Number
   • Instructor’s Name
   • Date
2. Introduction (1 Paragraph)
   • Briefly introduce the purpose of a community needs assessment.
   • Explain the importance of civic and social responsibility in public health projects.
   • State the goal of the paper: to explain the necessity of specific work packages in the assessment plan.
3. Body (Organized by Numbered and Titled Subheadings)

   2. Importance of Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors

   • Purpose: Explain why these factors are critical in identifying community needs.
   • Details:
     • Economic Factors: Income levels, employment rates, access to resources.
     • Social Factors: Education, healthcare access, crime rates.
     • Environmental Factors: Air quality, housing conditions, green spaces.
   • Example: Discuss how poor air quality (environmental) and low income (economic) can lead to higher asthma rates.

   3. Necessity of a Diverse Project Team

   • Purpose: Describe why diversity ensures a comprehensive assessment.
   • Examples of Representatives:
     • Healthcare professionals
     • Local business owners
     • Community leaders/activists
     • Educators
     • Public health officials

   4. Purpose of a Stakeholder Communication Plan

   • Clarification: Explain why identifying stakeholders isn’t enough.
   • Details:
     • Ensures continuous engagement
     • Facilitates feedback loops
     • Prevents miscommunication
   • Example: Compare outcomes with and without a communication plan in past projects.

   6. Tools/Methods for Data Collection

   • Option 1: Surveys
     • Pros: Cost-effective, reaches a large audience quickly
     • Cons: Limited depth, potential low response rate
   • Option 2: Focus Groups
     • Pros: In-depth insights, immediate clarification possible
     • Cons: Time-consuming, potential for bias
4. Conclusion (1 Paragraph)
   • Summarize key points from each section.
   • Reaffirm the importance of a well-structured needs assessment for effective community health interventions.
5. Reference Page (APA Format)
   • List all sources cited in your paper, formatted according to APA guidelines.

Tips for Success:

• Use academic sources to support your points.
• Proofread for grammar, clarity, and APA formatting.
• Review the rubric to ensure all criteria are met before submission.

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