To effectively meet public health goals, inventive and collaborative partnerships must be developed between Federal agenices, schools of public health and public health departments. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) directs national health programs that improve the Nation's health by assuring access to quality health care for all. HRSA continues to partner with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) to provide opportunities for students and early career professionals to further their development through internships and fellowships. The ASPH/HRSA Fellowship Program is a new initiative to strengthen the links between academic health centers and public health departments. The one-year fellowship is currently being pilot-tested in the HRSA Dallas Field Office where officials have begun a partnership with the University of North Texas School of Public Health and the Tarrant County Public Health Department. The purpose of this partnership is to design a collaborative infrastructure to address the public health needs of vulnerable populations living in Tarrant County, Texas. The fellow’s role is one of a facilitator, identifying opportunities for collaborative activities, including the sharing of expertise and resources. With the fellow spending time at all three partner organizations, a mechanism for information exchange and opportunities for collaboration has been established. Through site visits and meetings involving principals from all three groups, a workplan has been developed that will guide the fellow’s activities. While still in its early stages, the fellowship has already proven itself successful in facilitating linkages and may serve as a model for academia- public health practice partnerships. See www.asph.org
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the value and importance of a strong link between academia and public health practice. 2. Identify key factors for developing a successful link between an academic institution and public health department. 3. Create a partnership between your local academic institution and public health department.
Keywords: Partnerships, Public Health Infrastructure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Health Resources and Services Administration
Association of Schools of Public Health
Tarrant County Health Department
University of North Texas School of Public Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment by University of North Texas School of Public Health