Assessment of training priorities for the Texas public health workforce

In Texas, there are 254 counties served by 11 health regions. There are 65 participating local health departments and 80 non-participating local health departments; therefore, there are a number of counties that depend solely upon the Texas Department of State Health Services Regional offices to act as their local health departments. The Texas Regional DSHS offices' roles are critical in areas where local health departments have limited or no presence and resources are minimal or non-existent. To prepare counties without local health departments, it is essential to assess the regional public health workforce's strengths and weaknesses and preparedness training priorities. The USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health utilized an online assessment to identify these priorities. The Texas DSHS Regional Office staff were asked to participate in the assessment to rate their perceived benefit from additional training in specific public health and public health preparedness topics. Participants were also asked to rank the training topics they perceived to best meet their training needs. In addition to training topics, participants were asked to identify their preferred modality for education and training activities, the resources they have available to participate in education activities, and the types of continuing education they prefer. The Center anticipates the results will offer insight into public health and preparedness training needs and preferences that will assist Texas' academic partners better assist in providing education and training activities adapted specifically for the Texas Regional DSHS offices.