Implementation of an enhanced APEX Part One at 114 local health departments in New Jersey


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

3148.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 1

Abstract #106318

Robyn Shumer, MPH, School of Public Health - Office of Public Health Practice, University of Medicine & Dentistry, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, 732-235-9451, shumerrb@umdnj.edu and Mitchel Rosen, MS, UMDNJ School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Office of Public Health Practice, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

The Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEX) is designed to help local health departments (LHD) assess their internal organizational capacity and work with their community to assess health status, priority health issues, and develop improvement plans. APEX Part One, the self-assessment of perceived strengths and weaknesses, is intended to help LHDs improve their capacity to provide the essential public health services. In 2004, in compliance with state Public Health Practice Standards, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) contracted with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health (UMDNJ), to manage the implementation of APEX Part one at its 114 LHDs. As part of the project, UMDNJ was to revise the original APEX tool to include additional indicators on connectiveness, workforce development, grants management, information and data, quality assurance, and learning organization research. UMDNJ provided training and technical assistance to the LHDs to support them throughout the process. Twenty MPH students and recent MPH graduates from two schools of public health were hired and trained to provide this assistance. Data analysis includes an analysis of perceived importance (low, moderate, high) and reported current status codes (not met, partially met, fully met) for each indicator. Ninety three of 114 LHDs completed the survey. Additionally, data will be analyzed regionally (21 regions). The presentation will also include lessons learned to replicate this process.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the

participant will be able to

Describe the rationale for implementing APEX in New Jersey;
Identify features of the updated APEX manual;
Discuss the importance of providing training and technical assistance;
Discuss the importance of APEX for public health planning;
Identify lessons learned to successfully replicate APEX Part One

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Systems Issues in Public Health

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA