Assignment #1 – Planning and Evaluation (Module 4)
This assignment will require you to follow the steps in planning and evaluating a public health program. Adaptations to the steps will be made for the purposes of an individual assignment that you will not actually be implementing. You will be creating your program from scratch so choose a topic that is interesting to you. Broad concepts include such things as physical activity, healthy eating, and other lifestyle choices. As you explore one of these broad concepts, begin to narrow your focus to a specific topic for which you can create a public health program.
The Program Planning
Step 1: Needs Assessment – You will conduct a needs assessment by exploring the literature and the Internet for information on public health programs. Examples of such programs can be found by viewing the websites of public health units in Ontario. You will use the literature to provide the rationale for the program. Think about who in the public sphere would be a stakeholder, who would help implement the program, and who would be the target for the program.
Step 2: Program Description – List the goals/objectives of the program. Goals are broad statements and objectives are specific statements.
Step 3: Plan Development – Describe in detail the content and actions that will be undertaken to achieve the goals and objectives of the program. At this step, you are writing a proposed action plan.
Step 4: Feedback – Discuss your ideas with your peers to obtain feedback on your proposal. For this step, your peers can include classmates or other students/friends AND any other persons that are willing to give you feedback.
Step 5: Refine Action Plan – Improve your public health program by incorporating feedback.
Step 6: Implementation – As you will not actually be implementing the program, discuss what steps are involved in implementing a public health program. Who is involved? What resources do you need? Where will the program be delivered? When and how will it be delivered?
Step 7: Evaluation – Use the literature to describe what kind of evaluation is necessary for a program like yours. What data or information do you need to collect?
Step 8: Dissemination – Who needs to hear/learn about your experience with developing a public health program? How will you disseminate the findings and outcomes of your public health program?
The Writing Process
The first part of the writing process is similar to a literature review that informs your reader about the rationale (the why) for the program you are going to plan. Write about what you have learned from your searches and at end of the section state your goals and objectives.
The second part of the writing process is to write the proposal for the program. Write in paragraph form as you describe your ideas for the program. You may also include tables in the proposal but such tables should not be repetitive when compared to the written paragraphs. Include a discussion of any feedback received from your peers that helped you to refine your program plan.
The third part of the writing process is to produce a table that addresses steps 6 through 8. This part of the assignment is somewhat speculative because, generally, a public health program is developed in conjunction with community partnerships. An example would be a public health nurse who works with physical education teachers to develop fitness activities for schoolchildren.
You will also need to include a standard title page, but the title should be related to the program you are developing. Your reference list should be on a separate page and the style to follow is APA 7.
Other Assignment Details
Due Date: Wednesday, March 9 @ 11:59 p.m.
Page Recommendation: 5-7 pages not including title and reference page
Percentage of Total Grade: 20%
