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

Abstract #73678

Mary E. Riner, DNS, School of Nursing, Indiana Unversity, Department of Envioornments for Health, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 482, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-274-4325, mriner@iupui.edu, Jerry King, Indiana Public Health Association, P. O. Box 1705, Indianapolis, IN 46206, Pamela Aaltonen, School of Nursing, Purdue University, 1337 Johnson Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1337, and Elise Papke, MPH, IU School of Medicine Department of Public Health, Indiana Public Health Association, 3007 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211.

This presentation describes the ongoing work to inform and mobilize Indiana’s boards of health. Public health leaders have long recognized that the state’s 94 local boards of health lack the resources necessary to support their roles as “stewards of public health” in their respective communities. Knowledge of public health and perspective on roles and responsibilities among 658 members vary greatly. Some boards meet monthly, while others meet only twice a year. With a local foundation grant, the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA) conducted a capacity assessment to identify training topics and gauge interest in regional workshops and, ultimately, in a statewide association. Now, with multiple partners, IPHA is preparing to involve board members in a state health summit in fall 2003 and offer special training sessions through academic-practice partnerships. The goal is to empower this voice locally so that collectively it becomes a force for change throughout the state. This session will illustrate several strategies being used in one state to enhance local boards’ roles in their communities. Session participants will benefit from hearing how to build collaborative networks among boards and how to provide education and training opportunities using data collected from the capacity assessment and other sources. The project data collection, planning and implementation processes are multifaceted. The presentation will provide session participants with a framework or model that can be adapted for replication in their own communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify a process for designing and implementing a needs assessment of skills and knowledge needed by members of (LBH).
• Develop increased understanding of roles perceived as important to members of LBH.
• Analyze relationships between perceived roles and needs for training in these roles by members of LBH.

Keywords: Infrastructure,

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.