Online Program

281188
Development and implementation of a workforce development plan through a local phtc partnership: Lessons from the field in rural Florida


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Shalewa Noel-Thomas, PhD, MPH, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Pamela Blackmon, RN, BSN, MPH, Suwannee and Lafayette County Health Department, Live Oak, FL
Quinn Lundquist, MPH, CPH, Association of Schools of Public Health
Mary Peoples-Sheps, DrPH, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Public health workforce development focuses on the enhancement of training, skills and performance of public health workers. A well-prepared public health workforce is better equipped to improve the health outcomes of the populations served. Effective public health practice within health departments requires that public health workers are trained and qualified to address the population's public health needs. Workforce development planning and implementation are key requirements for health departments to meet the Public Health Accreditation Board's (PHAB) standards and measures. The Rural South Public Health Training Center (RSPHTC) is funded by HRSA to enhance the competencies of the public health workforce in rural counties in Florida by providing education, training and technical assistance. The RSPHTC partnered with the Suwannee and Lafayette County Health Departments, two health departments in a rural region in Florida, to assess the training needs of the staff, develop a workforce development plan and implement training programs to address identified gaps. This presentation is designed to discuss: 1) the workforce development challenges faced by a rural health department within a climate of limited resources; 2) the process and benefits of establishing academic/practice partnerships to address workforce development needs; 3) a collaborative approach to developing and implementing a workforce training needs assessment; 4) the role of the PHTC in facilitating the development of tailored training programs to address identified needs and core competencies for local public health professionals and; 5) staff involvement in the process and; 6) evaluation of training programs.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Public health administration or related administration

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the workforce development challenges faced by a rural health department within a climate of limited resources. Describe the process and benefits of establishing academic/practice partnerships to address workforce development needs. Describe a collaborative approach to developing and implementing a workforce training needs assessment. Explain the role of the PHTC in facilitating the development of tailored training programs to address identified needs and core competencies for local public health professionals and. Discuss staff involvement in the process and evaluation of training programs.

Keyword(s): Workforce, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As the Health Officer/Administrator of two small rural county health departments in North Florida, I have a vested interest in recruitment and retention of qualified public health professionals that possess the skills, knowledge and abilities to support the mission, vision, and values of the Florida Department of Health. Our partnership with the Rural South Public Health Training Center provided additional staff resources that resulted in the development of a comprehensive workforce development plan.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.