eprintid: 24570
rev_number: 136
userid: 4611
dir: disk0/00/02/45/70
datestamp: 2015-10-19 16:33:13
lastmod: 2021-03-11 05:58:16
status_changed: 2015-10-19 16:33:13
type: thesis
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: lucas.blazejewski@gmail.com
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Blazejewski, Lucas M
creators_email: lmb151@pitt.edu
creators_id: LMB151
contributors_type: committee_member
contributors_type: committee_chair
contributors_name: Rohrer, Wesley M
contributors_name: Kingsley, Lawrence A.
contributors_email: wmrun@pitt.edu
contributors_email: kingsley@pitt.edu
contributors_id: WMRUN
contributors_id: KINGSLEY
title: Mid-term assessment of the National Peace Corps Association Ebola Relief Fund: determining effectiveness and future direction
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_infectiousdiseasesmicrobiology
full_text_status: public
keywords: Ebolavirus, Ebola, Virus, Disease, Grant, Administration, International, Aid, Program, Evaluation
abstract: Public Health Relevance: This evaluation seeks to analyze and discuss the effectiveness of a novel model of fundraising and grant management to aid in the resolution of a large epidemic. On March 23, 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the outbreak of Ebolavirus in Guinea, which continued to spread and overwhelm the neighboring countries Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebolavirus is a hemorrhagic virus with a case fatality rate of 50-70%. In September of 2015, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) formed the Ebola Relief Fund (ERF) in response to members’ desires to participate in the international relief effort. Between October and February, the ERF collected 100 proposals and awarded 25 grants, totaling approximately $75,000. Presently, the ERF is midway through its operations having completed Round 1 programs, Round 2 programs are nearing completion, and funds were recently disbursed for Round 3. The objectives of this report are broadly to 1.) Assess the effectiveness of the ERF at soliciting high quality program proposals, as well as the impact of selected programs and 2.) To determine the future of ERF as the outbreak is being rapidly controlled. Qualitative reviews of participating organizations’ initial proposal critiques, mid-term reports, and final reports were conducted to assess overall quality of grants submitted, compliance with proposed funding requests, and success of funded programs. A comprehensive review of news articles published between the dates of February 1, 2015 and April 1, 2015 was conducted to make recommendations regarding the future direction of the ERF. The evaluation found that ERF had been able to elicit proposals of sufficient quality to warrant funding and the organizations were highly compliant and successful in the delivery of their programs. Moving forward the ERF should consider changing the criteria used to select grants. If grants will continue to be awarded in the future to assist in the Ebola effort, applicants should only be limited to parts of Guinea and Sierra Leone still fighting the outbreak. A better use of funds may be to invest in longer term development efforts in the three countries to assist with recovery from the epidemic.
date: 2015-04
date_type: published
publisher: University of Pittsburgh
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
thesis_type: masteressay
degree: MPH
citation:   Blazejewski, Lucas M  (2015) Mid-term assessment of the National Peace Corps Association Ebola Relief Fund: determining effectiveness and future direction.  Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.   
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/24570/1/Blazejewski_Essay_Final_Draft_4-24-2015-3.pdf
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/24570/4/licence.txt