The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63063

Melissa Alperin, MPH, CHES¹, Kathleen R. Miner, PhD, MPH, CHES², Charlotte Duggan³, Cherie Drenzek, DVM³, Cam Escoffery, MPH, CHES⁴, Ann Duttera Council, MPH⁵, John Brunet, MS⁵, Iris E. Smith, PhD, MPH⁵, and Elizabeth (Mimi) Joy⁵. (1) Career MPH Program, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1525 Clifton Road, #107, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-727-2928, malperi@sph.emory.edu, (2) School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4218, (3) Georgia Division of Public Health, 2 Peachtree St. NW, Rm. 15-266, Atlanta, GA 30303, (4) Rollins School of Public Health, 1525 Clifton Road, NE, Room 106, Atlanta, GA 30022, (5) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1525 Clifton Road, #106, Atlanta, GA 30322

During the past 25 years, services provided by state/local health departments have changed from clinical delivery to community-based interventions. Events of 9/11 and threats of bioterror and chemical weapons have further expanded the role of public health personnel. How can leadership assess the capacity of personnel to function in the new world of public health? G-TRAIN, Georgia Training Resource And Inventory Network, is a collaborative project with the Emory Academic Center for Public Health Preparedness, Georgia Division of Public Health, and Georgia’s other preparedness activities. It is a web-based method of providing an ongoing assessment of training needs in Georgia’s public health workforce. G-TRAIN users complete a series of profiles – including a competency assessment. Institutions that provide instructional activities complete course profiles. Based on competency results, individuals can search for courses that meet their training needs and register for courses. Self-reports can be generated by individuals or aggregate reports by state/district staff. The origins of G-TRAIN are based on a recognition by the Emory Center for Public Health Preparedness and the Georgia Division of Public Health that collaboration is critical to meeting the needs of Georgia’s workforce. Public health’s Focus Area G money requires the state to conduct a training needs assessment of the public health workforce. The Emory Academic Center is tasked with providing education and training to the same group. For those involved, it was an important – and natural, collaboration. This presentation will discuss G-TRAIN – what it is, its benefits to the user, and the collaboration necessary to successfully address the needs of Georgia’s public health workforce.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• - describe G-TRAIN; and
• - discuss the importance of Schools of Public Health and practice partners working together to address workforce development needs.

Keywords: Workforce, Bioterrorism

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Rollins School of Public Health - Academic Center for PH Preparedness
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.