In any successful research endeavor, one of the first and most important steps is to define the study population. To survey or collect data on this population, researchers first must have access to individuals within it. However, access is not always guaranteed. In many cases, researchers must identify those in the position of power and seek their approval and buy-in of decisions related to a particular population. In the field of research, these individuals are known as gatekeepers. Crosby, DiClemente, and Salazar (2013) define gatekeepers as “people who are in positions to grant or deny access” (p. 107).

Consider the example scenario in this week’s Introduction regarding the reduction of waterborne illnesses. After the failure of the free shoe program, the organization now decides to investigate the feasibility of implementing a more hygienic set of latrines in a local school that serves hundreds of children. Who might be the gatekeepers in this situation? The school principal? The owners of the local water supply? Once these gatekeepers have been identified, what are the next steps in terms of gaining buy-in from them?

For this week’s Assignment, review the Learning Resources. Consider why certain individuals are gatekeepers and need to be involved in program planning and interventions.

Assignment:

Paper: 2 PAGES APA NOT INCLUDING REF

For the community plan intervention you selected for your Final Project, identify potential gatekeepers and provide a rationale for why you chose them. In the paper, explain the following: USE SUBHEADINGS

• 1)Who are the informal and formal gatekeepers in the community? Provide a rationale for your answer that includes how and why you identified these gatekeepers.
• 2)What are the next steps for gaining buy-in from these gatekeepers, and why? Provide a rationale for your answer.

Vulnerable Population Summary and Proposed Program

The first of your two written assignments for the course will  provide a beginning framework that you will utilize in the development  of your
Final Project: a proposal for a community-based  program in your area. For this first written assignment, you will  select one of the vulnerable groups identified in the text that will  serve as your target population of interest throughout the duration of  your next written assignment and Final Project.

Select one among the following groups from Chapter 1:

• Vulnerable mothers and children
• Abused individuals
• Chronically ill and disabled people
• People diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
• People diagnosed with mental conditions
• Suicide- and homicide-liable people
• People affected by alcohol and substance abuse
• Indigent and homeless people
• Immigrants and refugees
• Groups for special consideration (you may propose a different vulnerable population at the consent of the instructor)

Once you have selected a group of interest, write a three page paper that covers the following:

• Discuss the impact that at least two of the factors below have on the vulnerability of your chosen group:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Culture/Ethnicity
  • Income
• Analyze the intersection of social, political, and economic factors affecting vulnerability (must address all three factors).
• Draft the design of a new model program, not currently existent  within your community. Provide a two- to- three paragraph statement that  introduces your proposed community program. This section is tentative  and might change as you conduct more research. At a minimum, however,  items to address should include:
• An explanation of the issues and risk factors experienced by the selected population.
• An evaluation of the health needs of the group and a proposed  continuum of care level (preventive, treatment, or long-term care) based  on the group’s issues, risk factors, and needs.  Justify the proposed  level with supportive research/evidence.
• A description of one to two proposed services your program will include.

Your assignment should be a minimum of three pages in length  (excluding title and reference pages), and should include a minimum of  three scholarly sources cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in  the Ashford Writing Center.