Fieldwork Information Session February 18, 2015 Silberman, Room 201

Fieldwork information session learning objectives

At the end of this session, you should be able to….

 Explain what fieldwork is and why it’s important     Describe the relationship between fieldwork and capstone and identify implications for planning NOW for both courses Develop a fieldwork site search strategy unique to your goals and situation List the deliverables for fieldwork State the roles and responsibilities of the key players

Who are the key players?



You

(the fieldwork student)  Preceptor (aka fieldwork supervisor)  Academic advisor  Fieldwork faculty member (spring/summer 2015)       All disciplines – D. Heller COMHE –K. Faber EOHS – B. Pavilonis EPI/BIOS – H. Jones HPM – J. Chisholm (spring) L. McD Greenspan (summer) NUTR – A. Spark

Why fieldwork?

The MPH and some MS degrees are designed to prepare you for the public health workforce.  Fieldwork offers you the opportunity to:   Demonstrate the application of basic public health concepts through a practice experience Deal with real-world public health settings, tackle real-world problems, work with real-world people and real-world constraints  Fieldwork offers the rare opportunity

to do

and

to reflect

on what you’ve done in an integrated and supervised manner.

 Fieldwork offers a great way to explore job possibilities and build contacts for future employment.

What is fieldwork?

  180 hours of supervised, professional, developmentally appropriate work in a public health setting, which is negotiated by you and your fieldwork supervisor, and approved by your fieldwork instructor   Paid or unpaid

Substantive experience

not clerical Required class meetings (‘didactic’ sessions) include assignments   Class meetings for Spring 2015: 7 Wednesdays, 8-10 pm Class meetings for Summer 2015: 2 full-day sessions (June 6 th and June 26th)

Why capstone?

 Every graduate of a CEPH-accredited public health program is required to successfully complete a

capstone project

.  It is through the

capstone project

that MPH and MS degree students demonstrate their achievement of the required core and discipline specific competencies.

What is the capstone project?

  Original work in the form of a journal article   It requires original analysis based on evidence, preferably collected during the field experience,

or

Comprehensive knowledge of a content area developed through extensive secondary research and through experience, both of which occur during your fieldwork In addition to the paper, students choose   An oral capstone presentation OR A poster exhibit/presentation

Capstone (cont’d.)

 Capstone students meet as a class and receive structured support and progressive assignments to help them progress to the final capstone paper  The outline for the capstone paper is:      Abstract Background Methods Results Discussion/Conclusions  Thus, the capstone paper is

not

a conventional term paper

What is a master’s essay?

   Pretty much the same thing   The capstone paper and master’s essay differ in

process

Master’s essay students work more independently with a faculty advisor on an original research project To do a master’s essay, you need:  GPA = >3.8 and a sponsoring faculty member  You may secure a 2 nd mentor, who may or may not be on the SPH faculty.

Master’s essays substitute for the capstone paper  Master’s essays do

not substitute for fieldwork

(exceptions apply, so discuss this option early with the fieldwork faculty member)

What is the relationship between fieldwork and capstone?

  Fieldwork is a prerequisite for capstone  You may register for capstone course

when

 you have completed your fieldwork and the PH 737 deliverables  your capstone faculty member has approved you as “capstone ready” The capstone paper/master’s essay is expected to be on a project related to your fieldwork  Ergo…..you have to think ahead and negotiate a fieldwork project that will provide you with data to analyze; material to work with  Generally, there is more flexibility on relationship to fieldwork with master’s essay

When am I ready for fieldwork?

 When you have met the pre-requisites  At least18 credits toward the master's degree, including  Biostatistics  Epidemiology  Two or more courses in your specialization    You have at least a tentative agreement with an appropriate field site You have some idea of the project you will undertake The fieldwork instructor has approved you as “field-ready”

When am I ready for capstone?

 When you have completed your fieldwork  When you have an approved capstone proposal  When you have received permission from your program’s capstone instructor

How do I find a fieldwork site?

      Many of you already know what type of organization you want Think about the types of jobs/ settings / skills that interest you, post MPH For MCRSH, see list in appendix Consider formal training opportunities with the DOHMH (HRTP) or CDC    Scour list serves, websites, etc.

http://www.cuny.edu/site/sph/hunter-college/campus-resources/listserv.html

http://www.idealist.org/ http://www.east-harlem.com/index.php/Organizations/olisting  Talk, talk, talk Advisor, faculty, students, colleagues, professional meetings, informational interviews

Where have others done fieldwork?

         Physicians for Reproductive Health International Federation of Planned Parenthood Family Health Institute Mount Sinai Hospital Edible School Yard CUNY EHS Office MTA Blacksmith Foundation NYComm for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)            NYCDOHMH CUNY SPH (working with faculty) New York State Psychiatric Institute School of Medicine, University of Cuenca (Ecuador) Sakhi for South Asian Women City Harvest Camp Zeke Offices of elected officials North of 96 th Street Public Health Coalition Healthy Start Brooklyn Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM)

What types of projects have they done?

    

A

ssessment,

p

lanning,

i

mplementation and/or

e

valuation (APIE) of a public health program       Community assessment Communications assessment Development or implementation of a pilot project Development of a curriculum Development or analysis of a social media health promotion strategy Evaluation of a program or intervention Capacity-building Audit or quality improvement Evaluability assessment Development of best practices

What if I work full-time?

      Here’s what other full-time workers have done Negotiate flextime Use vacation time Work off-hours: evenings, weekends Identify a faculty member with interesting projects and devise an academic-based fieldwork project that can be done in non   traditional time  Negotiate a special public health project in your workplace Something that enhances institution’s goals but would not be done otherwise Outside the scope of your regular responsibilities A preceptor who is not your direct supervisor

To identify a

potential site

, the answer to these questions must be “yes.”

  Will it provide appropriate public health experience, relevant to your interests or area of concentration?

Will it provide support and a safe space for your project or responsibilities?  Is there a qualified,* “willing and able” preceptor to…?    Work with you to determine specific, mutually-agreeable fieldwork objectives and deliverables, which are written up in your contract Provide an orientation to the organization’s mission, programs, policies and protocols Provide appropriate direction, as well as create time for instructional interaction and dialogue  Prepare, share with you, and submit to your fieldwork faculty member an evaluation of your performance during your fieldwork experience *Preceptor must have at least a masters’ degree, preferably an MPH

What are the fieldwork deliverables?

 You negotiate your field deliverables with

your preceptor

  Roles, responsibilities, tangible deliverables Don’t promise your capstone paper as a field deliverable  PH 737 (fieldwork) deliverables are

non

-negotiable and must be delivered to your fieldwork faculty in order to proceed to PH 738 (capstone),        a contract (within a week of start of semester) a rapid literature review a project plan (Gantt chart) an IRB research determination form (or full IRB if necessary) a short essay summarizing reflections on your fieldwork experience a formal (narrative) literature review a capstone paper proposal with a clearly articulated research question

Back up -- did you say an IRB????

Yes!

At a minimum, you file a Research Determination Form All projects must be submitted. Determination may be

exempt

,

approved

or

not research

.

At a maximum, you need a full IRB review  If your project is determined to be “research with human subjects,” you will need a full IRB review even if your field site has IRB approval

IRB (cont’d)

 Many projects are determined to be exempt from IRB review.    Non-identifiable data (data that have never been labeled with individual identifiers or from which identifiers have been permanently removed) Analysis of de-identified, public use or administrative data (e.g., analysis of CDC’s BRFSS data) Analysis of de-identified secondary data that was already IRB- approved (e.g., analysis of a de-identified dataset maintained by a faculty researcher) Collection/analyses of information used to improve program quality only (e.g., not intended to be published for generalizable knowledge)

How should I think about the timeline?



Steps are needed at each of the following junctures:

1.

2.

3.

The

semester before

your planned PH737 fieldwork experience Just

before and during

the fieldwork semester

End

of the fieldwork semester

Get ready!

The semester before

 Notify your academic advisor of your intention to register for PH 737  Discuss eligibility and possible fieldwork options you are considering 

Make an appointment with your track fieldwork faculty member who must approve your registration

 Have a good sense of what your intended project or organization is by the time you register for the next semester’s PH 737 course

On your mark!

Plus/minus two weeks to the semester

 Finalize details of project site, preceptor and project  Develop a written work plan, including the “fieldwork contract”  Must have discrete deliverables and acknowledge the use of the work for the capstone class  Get signatures of both fieldwork faculty member and preceptor

Get set!

Throughout the semester

      Do your fieldwork Attend classes Communicate regularly with your preceptor  Know what is expected   Know what you can do independently Know what you need guidance and direction on Update fieldwork faculty member Keep a daily log of activities and submit fieldwork status surveys throughout the fieldwork assignment Stay on top of didactic assignments

GO!

End of semester

Submit final materials for fieldwork      Your fieldwork evaluation Preceptor’s evaluation of your performance  sent directly to fieldwork faculty, however please make sure that it is sent!

Reflections essay Brief literature review IRB approval (if applicable)    Capstone paper proposal Working bibliography Any other outstanding deliverables

What is the role of fieldwork faculty?

   Aside from teaching the classes, you should expect Suggestions of where to look for fieldwork       Ideas for defining a project that could lead to a capstone paper Timely review of all materials submitted Counseling on people situations, access, questionnaire review, etc.

More visible trouble shooting, if needed Gentle nudging, occasional stomping, help keeping on track High expectations of your work  Ultimately,

you

are accountable Faculty play a supporting role

Is there anything else I should be thinking about?



PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

Every MPH- and MS-degree student is required to prepare and maintain a professional portfolio, describing relevant public health experiences and achievements during the course of your studies.

 The portfolio documents your academic, professional and service accomplishments and may include major course papers, projects, reports, presentations, publications and other samples of work you completed.

What are the course numbers for fieldwork and capstone?



PH 73700: Fieldwork



PH 73800: Capstone

How do I get more information?

Fieldwork handbook: http://www.cuny.edu/site/sph/hunter-college/campus-resources/fieldwork.html

Capstone handbook: http://www.cuny.edu/site/sph/hunter-college/campus-resources/capstone.html

For defining research with human subjects: https://ors.duke.edu/researcher/defining-research-with-human-subjects http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/hs/faqs_aps_definitions.htm

Portfolio: http://www.cuny.edu/site/sph/hunter-college/campus-resources/PortfolioInstructions.html

Questions?

Appendix

Type of field sites

            Federal agencies, such as the USDHHS, VA, CDC, USDA, OSHA State, county or city health departments or social service agencies Managed care organizations Neighborhood health centers and community clinics Hospitals (public, nonprofit, for profit) Extended care facilities or community mental health centers Environmental health consulting companies Industrial settings Multi-specialty medical practices Head Start, public schools, private schools, nursery schools Academic or other non-governmental research institute Be sure to look at the listserv for opportunities

MCRSH fieldwork leads

Site name Location

Abortion Access Project Adolescent AIDS Program at Montefiore AIDS Service Center Alliance for Women's Equality Anti-violence project Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice Association of Reproductive Health Professionals Brooklyn Young Mother's Collective Caribbean Women's Health Association P.O. Box 21191, NY NY 3415 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 41 E. 11th St, NY NY 25 Washington St, 4th Flr, Brooklyn NY 240 West 35th Street, NY, NY 1440 Broadway Ste 301, Oakland CA 1901 L Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 339 Douglass Street, #2, Brooklyn NY 3512 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Website

http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/about/staff.ht

m http://www.montekids.org/services/aap/ http://www.ascnyc.org/ (no longer working) www.avp.org

http://forwardtogether.org/ http://www.arhp.org/ http://www.bymcinc.org/ http://www.cwha.org/

MCRSH fieldwork leads

Site name Location

Choice HIV/AIDS Initative Choices in Childbirth DOHMH, Bur of Maternal, Infant & Reprod Hlth Ford Foundation Global Youth Coaltion on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) India 441 Lexington Ave, 19th Floor, NY NY 2 Lafayette St, 18th Fl, NY NY 320 East 43rd Street, NY NY 540 President St., Brooklyn NY 125 Maiden Lane, 7th,

Website

http://choicehivaids.org/about-choice/81-our mission http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org/ http://www.fordfoundation.org/ http://www.gyca.org/ Guttmacher Institute Healthy CUNY Initiative Institute for Family Health NY NY 2190 3rd Ave, NY NY HIV and AIDS Technical Assistance Project 131 Livingston Ave, NY NY 16 E. 16th St., NY NY http://www.guttmacher.org/ http://www.cuny.edu/about/resources/healthycun y.html

http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P107375/lesot ho-hiv-aids-technical-assistance project?lang=en&tab=overview http://www.institute2000.org/

MCRSH fieldwork leads

Site name

Mother's Voices

Location

165 West 46th Street, NY NY

Website

NARAL Pro Choice NY NYC AIDS Housing Network NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault Partnership for Family Health 427 Bdwy, 3rd Flr, NY NY 80-A Fourth Ave., Brooklyn http://www.prochoiceny.org/ NY 32 Broadway, NY NY 40 Worth Street, 5th Floor, Public Health Solutions NY NY Physicians for Reproductive Health 55 W. 39th St, NY NY http://www.vocal-ny.org/contact-us/ http://www.svfreenyc.org/ http://www.healthsolutions.org/?event=page.Heal

th_Services http://www.prch.org/ Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc 434 West 33rd Street, NY NY http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Planned Parenthood of NY, Inc Preconception Peer Educator 26 Bleeker St. NY, NY http://www.plannedparenthood.org/nyc/ Program (via Association of MCH Programs) www.amchp.org

MCRSH fieldwork leads

Site name Location

Reproductive Health Access Project P.O. Box 21191, NY NY Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS 116-51 224th Street, Coalition Just Ask Me (JAM) Teen Pregnancy Cambria Heights NY Prevention Program (through Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation) 50 East 168th Street, Bronx, NY

Website

http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/ http://us.ywchac.org/ Nicole Jennings: [email protected]; http://www.whedco.org/ Currently looking for part time program coordinator (12/5/13)