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

Abstract #68821

Tanya Uden-Holman, PhD, Center for Public Health Practice, University of Iowa College of Public Health, 5186 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242, 319-384-8708, tanya-udenholman@uiowa.edu, Christopher Atchison, MPA, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, E220B GH, Iowa City, IA 52242, and Laurie M. Walkner, RN, MA, Iowa Center for Public Health Preparedness University of Iowa College of Public Health, 5197 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242.

Ensuring that Iowa’s public health workforce has the skills to promptly identify and respond to new and emerging public health threats is the mission of the Iowa Center for Public Health Preparedness (ICPHP). One of the key strategies of the ICPHP is to identify training needs and deliver programs that improve public health preparedness at the local level. A key partner in connecting the ICPHP to the local public health community is the Iowa Association of Local Public Health Agencies (I-ALPHA). Through contract with I-ALPHA a former county health official has been retained and is working on behalf of the ICPHP to identify local training needs. To obtain additional information on local training needs the ICPHP has conducted an assessment based on the Ten Essential Services as they relate to health threats and emergencies. Analyses are in the final stages and results will be shared. To supplement this quantitative assessment the ICPHP plans to collect qualitative data via focus groups with leader/administrators and public health professionals. One of ICPHP’s training activities directly related to improving public health preparedness at the local level is the Public Health Preparedness Grand Rounds Series. This series includes one-hour programs broadcast over the Iowa Communications Network, a statewide, fiber optics network that allows for transmission of high quality, two-way, interactive video; data transport; and long distance voice communications. Each ICN sessions is also recorded and available via videotape, CD-ROM, and streaming video. Input on relevant series content comes from local public health professionals and administrators.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session the participant will be able to:
• 1)Understand the mission of the Iowa Center for Public Health Preparedness and its key strategies for improving public health preparedness at the local level;
• 2)Describe key partners of the Center and their roles;
• 3)Discuss the ICPHP assessments;
• 4)Describe one of the ICPHP’s training activities to improve local public health preparedness.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.