CLIENT INSIGHT | Developing a Comprehensive After-Action Report and Improvement Plan: COVID-19 Response Evaluation

Section 1: What Our Client Needed

Public health and emergency preparedness groups can improve how they address future public health emergencies by thoroughly evaluating their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.. In 2022, Day Health partnered with the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) to examine COVID-19 response efforts in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. Our goal was to identify strengths, highlight areas for improvement, and craft actionable recommendations in a formal After-Action Report and Improvement Plan.

Section 2: Our Approach

Day Health developed a mixed methods evaluation approach to engage public health and safety officials to explore how the region responded to the COVID-19 emergency. In particular, the evaluation sought to examine how well these organizations collaborated on pandemic response efforts, how effective existing plans were in responding to COVID-19, and whether the region’s response was equitable and successful in reaching marginalized populations.

Day Health conducted interviews and focus groups with over 60 individuals representing public health, emergency management, and law enforcement groups. Additionally, nearly 100 individuals participated in a survey exploring response activities, collaboration and communication efforts, and methods for identifying and engaging those most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Using these data, Day Health developed a comprehensive After-Action Report and Improvement Plan.  The report examined command and control coordination, public information coordination, information-sharing coordination, and medical materiel coordination. We gathered community feedback and revised the report to ensure the recommendations would be useful and actionable for preparedness and response partners.

Section 3: Our Impact

The After-Action Report and Improvement Plan provided a practical analysis of Western Massachusetts’ COVID-19 response efforts and offered specific, measurable, and implementable recommendations for improvement. Our participatory and inclusive data collection approach helped us elevate the concerns and successes of public health and emergency response groups, leading to realistic findings and practical recommendations. Lastly, the After-Action Report and Improvement Plan provided a comprehensive roadmap for making specific improvements, ensuring that the regional response efforts will be even stronger and more effective when responding to future public health emergencies.

“The Day Health team was incredibly professional and responsive throughout our entire engagement. Many of their activities involved engaging various stakeholders and exploring their thoughts and behaviors related to the COVID-19 response in our area. They facilitated these discussions with the utmost respect, and everyone felt very heard and valued. We would highly recommend their services and hope to do business with them again in the future.” Raine Brown, Homeland Security Program Manager, Franklin Region Council of Governments.

At Day Health Strategies, we are proud to offer a wide range of services aimed at transforming organizations and helping them thrive in the face of uncertainty. Contact us today to find out more.