Week 7 Written Assignment: OLE Agency Report (Stage 2)- Fina…

Final OLE Agency Report Stage 2 (Final Paper)

Overview:

The OLE Agency Report Stage 2 Final Paper is the culminating assignment for this course. This paper gives you the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom to your Observational Learning Experience (OLE) site. You will integrate observations, interview data, and course themes to analyze how your agency addresses public health challenges and serves its community.

Requirements:

• Length: 57 pages (including title and reference pages)
• Format: APA formatting
• References: 57 scholarly sources in addition to your interviews (interviews must be cited as personal communications in APA format)
• Sources: Use peer-reviewed journal articles, government or academic reports

Directions:

Your paper should include the following sections (either use the guideline form headings provided in the course or develop your own Word document with these sections clearly identified):

Below is a condensed version. Please open the attachment titled OLE_Agency_Report_Stage_2_Final_Guidelines.docx for full details.

1. Introduction

• Identify your OLE site, its mission, and the health issue you chose to focus on.
• State why this site and topic are significant to public health.

1. Agency Location & Population Served

• Describe the community where the agency operates.
• Include demographic and health characteristics of the population.
• Discuss accessibility and equity of services.

1. Target Population Overview

• Compare local demographic and health data to state and/or national data.
• Highlight disparities or unique needs that the agency addresses.

1. Agency Successes & Challenges

• Identify at least two successes and two challenges the agency faces.
• Connect your observations to larger state or national public health trends.

1. Integration of Interviews

• Incorporate key insights from your two interviews with agency staff.
• Use APA personal communication format to cite interview content.

1. Connection to Public Health Concepts

• Explicitly tie your observations and analysis to concepts from the course such as:
• Drivers of health / social determinants of health
• Health equity and vital conditions
• Epidemiology and data use
• Public health systems, law, or policy
• Be specific in naming chapters or frameworks where applicable.

1. Conclusion

• Reflect on what you learned through this experience.
• Discuss the broader impact of the agency on public health.
• Share how this experience shaped your perspective or career goals.

Submission Notes:

• Proofread your work carefully before submitting.
• Ensure all sources and interviews are properly cited in APA format.
• Upload your paper to Canvas by the Week 7 deadline.

Attachments:

OLE Agency Report (Stage 2) Final Paper Rubric

OLE Agency Report (Stage 2) Final Paper Rubric

CriteriaRatingsPointsIntroduction

Highly Developed

Provides a thorough, engaging introduction with a clear description of the OLE site, its mission, and the chosen health issue. Demonstrates strong alignment with public health significance and course objectives.

5 pts

Developed

Clearly introduces site, mission, and issue with general relevance to public health. May lack some depth or clarity in significance.

3.75 pts

Developing

Site, mission, and issue are partially described or loosely connected to public health relevance.

2.5 pts

Under Developed

Introduction is missing or unclear; site or issue not identified or unrelated to public health.

1.25 pts

/5 pts

Agency Location & Population Served

Highly Developed

Provides a comprehensive description of the community, including demographic and health characteristics. Thoughtfully discusses accessibility, equity, and social determinants affecting service delivery.

5 pts

Developed

Adequately describes the community and population with some discussion of accessibility and equity.

3.75 pts

Developing

Basic demographic description with minimal detail on accessibility, equity, or health factors.

2.5 pts

Under Developed

Incomplete or inaccurate description; little to no discussion of community characteristics.

1.25 pts

/5 pts

Target Population Overview

Highly Developed

Effectively compares local vs. state/national data, highlighting disparities, trends, and unique needs. Integrates credible data sources with strong analytical insight.

15 pts

Developed

Provides clear data comparison with identification of disparities or needs. Analysis could be more developed.

11.25 pts

Developing

Includes some data but lacks comparison or depth in analysis.

7.5 pts

Under Developed

Minimal or no data presented; no analysis of disparities or population needs.

3.75 pts

/15 pts

Agency Successes & Challenges

Highly Developed

Clearly identifies at least two successes and two challenges, linking them to broader public health trends. Provides nuanced understanding of context and systems-level implications.

15 pts

Developed

Identifies successes and challenges with some connection to public health trends.

11.25 pts

Developing

Mentions successes or challenges but lacks clear linkage to larger trends or evidence.

7.5 pts

Under Developed

Limited or unclear discussion of successes/challenges; no broader context provided, lacks connection to public health.

3.75 pts

/15 pts

Integration of Interviews

Highly Developed

Effectively integrates insights from at least two staff interviews. Demonstrates thoughtful synthesis with narrative and reflection.

15 pts

Developed

Includes interview content with relevant insights; citations with minor integration issues.

11.25 pts

Developing

References interviews minimally or inconsistently; limited synthesis.

7.5 pts

Under Developed

Omits or incorrectly cites interviews; unclear integration.

3.75 pts

/15 pts

Connection to Public Health Concepts

Highly Developed

Demonstrates strong, explicit connections to multiple course concepts (e.g., social determinants, health equity, systems, epidemiology, policy). Demonstrates strong critical thinking and accurate application of frameworks.

15 pts

Developed

Connects to relevant public health concepts but with limited specificity or depth.

11.25 pts

Developing

Mentions public health concepts but general or vague; lacks clear application to observations.

7.5 pts

Under Developed

No meaningful connection to course concepts or frameworks.

3.75 pts

/15 pts

Research and Evidence Use

Highly Developed

Incorporates 57 high-quality scholarly sources (peer-reviewed, government, or academic). Research is integrated effectively to support claims and demonstrate critical thought.

10 pts

Developed

Includes 57 sources with adequate integration; some sources may lack strong scholarly rigor or analysis.

7.5 pts

Developing

Fewer than 5 scholarly sources or limited integration of evidence; minimal analysis.

5 pts

Under Developed

Insufficient or inappropriate sources used; lacks scholarly support or citations

2.5 pts

/10 pts

Organization, Clarity, and Scholarly Writing

Highly Developed

Writing is clear, professional, and cohesive throughout. Logical organization with effective transitions and headings. No grammar or spelling errors.

5 pts

Developed

Well-organized and readable with few grammar, spelling, or formatting errors.

3.75 pts

Developing

Some lapses in organization, clarity, or professionalism; noticeable grammar/spelling issues.

2.5 pts

Under Developed

Disorganized or unclear writing; frequent grammar or spelling errors.

1.25 pts

/5 pts

APA Formatting and Mechanics

Highly Developed

Paper strictly follows current APA edition format for citations, references, and structure (title page, headers, spacing, etc.).

5 pts

Developed

Mostly adheres to APA guidelines; a few minor inconsistencies.

3.75 pts

Developing

Several APA errors or inconsistent formatting throughout

2.5 pts

Under Developed

Major APA format issues; missing required elements (title page, references, etc.).

1.25 pts

/5 pts

Reflection and Conclusion

Highly Developed

Provides a thoughtful, reflective conclusion that connects learning to broader public health impact and personal/professional growth.

10 pts

Developed

Offers a clear summary and some reflection on broader public health impact and personal/professional growth.

7.5 pts

Developing

Basic or surface-level reflection; limited personal or professional insight.

5 pts

Under Developed

Missing or minimal conclusion; no reflection on learning experience.