Online Program

294244
Public health professional services - developing a workforce alternative


Monday, November 4, 2013

Lois Hall, MS, Ohio Public Health Association, Columbus, OH
Nancy Shapiro, MA, RN, Delaware General Health District, Delaware, OH
Today's economy challenges Public Health's already strained workforce, as funding is reduced, personnel responsibilities are stretched and as new projects and activities are identified. The Ohio Public Health Association is working to develop a Public Health staffing "temp agency" to address these challenges. By developing a pool of Public Health professionals who are retired, between positions or looking for part time employment, and then contracting with traditional Public Health agencies, voluntary organizations and others seeking temporary staffing, we can help meet short-term personnel needs in more efficient and economic ways. Personnel may be contracted to cover vacancies due to long-term sick leave, resignations or retirements, and for short term projects such as facilitation of strategic planning, community assessments, or other projects which do not require full-time staffing or for which an outside consultant may be more appropriate. This poster will describe the steps taken to begin implementing this new business line for our affiliate. These steps include but are not limited to: 1) identification of an advisory body, 2) selection of a consultant to assist in developing a formal business plan, 3) completion and approval of a comprehensive business plan, 4) identification and selection of fiscal and legal consultants, 5) establishment of a sound fiscal monitoring system, 6) development of template documents for use with both clients and staff, 7) implementation of beta testing of the process, 8) beginning marketing of our program for potential customers and staff.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Program planning
Public health administration or related administration

Learning Objectives:
Describe the steps needed to develop a Public Health Professional Services business line within an APHA state affiliate.

Keyword(s): Workforce, Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the OPHA Executive Director for five years and was the primary author on the grant that funds this program. I also provide ongoing oversight of all aspects of the grant-funded work on this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.