4162.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #14406

An Overview of the Health Agency Training Program

Barbara R. Neas, PhD, Laura A. Beebe, PhD, and Nabih R. Asal, PhD. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, 405-271-2229, barbara-neas@ouhsc.edu

The Health Agency Training (HAT) program is a seven-state regional program designed for state and local public health, mental health and Indian Health Service personnel. During Phase 1, a needs assessment was conducted in all seven states; a Steering Committee was formed; courses were developed and presented; and extensive program evaluation conducted. The unique features of Phase 1 included active participation by state personnel in the determination of course content and offerings, use of the needs assessment to develop the program, and presentation of the courses in the individual states. Following the success of Phase 1 of the program, the overall goal of Phase 2 was to find ways to sustain the program beyond grant funding. We chose to utilize a Train-the-Trainer approach to institutionalize the Basic Epidemiology and Basic Statistics courses. Once qualified state personnel were certified as "HAT trainers", they could present either or both the HAT basic courses in their state. In addition to Train-the-Trainer, we incorporated some presentations by satellite and developed a web-site. Overall, this program was successful in both Phases 1 and 2. The Health Agency Training program provides an example of a successful model of a training program.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to: 1. Describe the elements of the Health Agency Training program 2. Identify appropriate training methods for the public health workforce

Keywords: Training, Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA