Oral

The ten states who have received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for membership in the Multi-State Learning Collaborative on Accreditation and Assessment are developing strategies to train the existing workforce in performance management and quality improvement. They are using consultants, universities, institutes, and each other to advance the level of knowledge about quality improvement, particularly within the context of accreditation and assessment. The training opportunities are being used as a way to reinforce regional approaches to public health services, improve program services, and change the organizational cultures of public health agencies. Some of the training opportunities evolve around continuous quality improvement, using quality improvement tools and frameworks. In addition, several states are creating major workforce development strategies and long range plans that focus on recruitment, retention, and competency development. States are using forecasting tools to identify future workforce needs, developing mentoring programs, and creating internships and change of career opportunities. Four of the states in the Multi-State Learning Collaborative will present in a panel on how the Multi-State Learning Collaborative on Accreditation and Assessment, now in its second year, is helping move their workforce agenda forward. The states in the MLC II are Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, Washington, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Florida and Ohio.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to: 1. Identify ways in which the states are preparing the workforce for accreditation and quality improvement initiatives. 2. Identify structures and mechanisms that states are using to prepare for accreditation and assessment. 3. Identify how partnerships are being used to recruit, train, and retain the professional workforce in public health.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing