Module 2: COVID-19 Pandemic

Research and Reflection Assignment:

Imagine that your state’s Secretary of Health has asked you to research and identify best practices on how to effectively and appropriately engage “the community” during a public health emergency like a pandemic. Specifically, they want to know:

• What are some successful models/ways to formally engage the voices and lived experiences of communities and groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 within an Incident Command Structure (ICS)? [Disproportionately impacted communities and groups can include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, people with disabilities, people with limited English proficiency, the LGBTQ+ community, agricultural and other workers in high-risk settings, unhoused people, refugee and immigrant communities, etc.]
• How would you define community from a state health departments perspective and what stakeholders/sectors would you include in that definition? Share your rationale for why you chose to include (or not include) certain stakeholders/sectors.

In your reflection paper (no more than 500 words), briefly share what you found and respond to the questions using a systems thinking and multi-sector partnership approach. Remember, your primary audience for this assignment is the Secretary of Health–a very busy executive who prefers to receive their information in concise form. Cite at least 3 sources that you found to support your ideas. While the sources you use should be credible, they DO NOT need to be primary research studies.

Tip: You may use the readings in the “Suggested Readings” section as sources.

Rubric

Reflection Paper Rubric