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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jeanette H. Magnus, MD, PhD¹, Antor Ndep Ola, MPH, CHES¹, Gail Rome¹, Danielle Broussard, PhD (Candidate)¹, Meshawn Tarver, MPH¹, and Hosanna K. Fletcher, MA, MPH, CHES². (1) School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-2181, jmagnus@tulane.edu, (2) Health Science Center, Tulane University, 143 South Liberty, SL-29, New Orleans, LA 70112

Uncertain conditions and economic climates can result in sudden reduction in workforce. The Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health (TUXCOE) operates under the typical restraints of a not-for-profit Center, namely limited staff. TUXCOE embraces volunteers and the valuable work they do in order to excel at its mission, to improve women's health and well-being in Louisiana. Volunteers are included in almost all areas of TUXCOE activities. Our health education programs utilize community women as Lay Health Advisors, or Community Health Workers. Not only is this methodology proven to be effective at reaching hard-to-reach populations but it also allows TUXCOE to participate in multiple events and reach a larger audience than a limited number of staff dedicated to outreach and education could achieve. TUXCOE staff relies on students in a number of capacities. Volunteers and work-study students provide much needed administrative support for the daily operation of the Center. Graduate student interns work on a variety of research projects and health education and outreach programs. They bring fresh ideas to existing programs, develop innovative new programs, and provide valuable input on grants and abstract submissions. In return, TUXCOE ensures that something is provided to all of its volunteers: students receive professional development and skill building opportunities; and community women trained as Lay Health Advisors receive systematic training and support in a plethora of health topics. TUXCOE offers its experience as a model for other not-for-profits who are operating with limited staff while striving for and achieving great successes.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe three ways in which TUXCOE utilizes volunteers.
• Identify opportunities within your own public health workplace for staff to delegate work and responsibilities to volunteers.

Keywords: Cost-Effectiveness, Alcohol

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered