While many factors determine policy and decision-making in federal agencies, one that is significant and often shared among them, is how they are organized and managed. Next week's assignment asks you to evaluate a federal healthcare agency's initial response to the Covid 19 pandemic. In this activity, you build a foundation to make that evaluation by researching the management structure of a federal healthcare agency of your choosing.
Preparation
Choose a federal healthcare agency that has had direct involvement in the Covid-19 pandemic response such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Public Health Service, et cetera. Research the organization's pandemic-related responsibilities and management structure.
Full Answer Section
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Reviewed and approved vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, ensuring their safety and efficacy.
- U.S. Public Health Service (PHS): Deployed personnel to assist with testing, vaccination, and other public health needs during the pandemic.
Researching Pandemic-Related Responsibilities and Management Structure:
- Official agency websites: Each agency has a website with information about their roles and responsibilities, including specific information about their work during the pandemic.
- Government publications: Search for reports, press releases, and other documents published by the agency related to COVID-19.
- News articles and analyses: Many news organizations have covered the pandemic in detail, including articles about the role of different government agencies.
- Academic research: There is a growing body of academic research on the government's response to the pandemic, which can provide insights into the management structure of different agencies.
Here are some additional tips for your research:
- Focus on the agency's specific role in the pandemic response. Don't try to cover everything they do.
- Pay attention to the different levels of management within the agency. Understand how decisions are made and implemented.
- Identify key players and their roles. This will help you understand who was responsible for different aspects of the response.
- Think about the strengths and weaknesses of the agency's management structure in the context of the pandemic. What worked well? What could have been improved?