Abstract

Training Compilation and Certificate for Conducting Environmental Assessments During A Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Alice White, MS1, Elaine Scallan, PhD2, Joseph Laco3, Marin Kalis4, Erik Coleman4, Sarah Davis, MNM5, Leslee Warren2, Brittany Welence2 and Liljana Johnson6
(1)Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, Aurora, CO, (2)Colorado School of Public Health, (3)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, (4)National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (5)Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, (6)National Network of Public Health Institutes

APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)

This compilation and certificate, led by the Colorado School of Public Health in collaboration with the National Network for Public Health Institutes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an online compilation of existing trainings and resources structured to provide environmental health professionals with skills needed to proficiently conduct environmental assessments as part of a foodborne illness outbreak. To develop this online training compilation and certificate, we convened an advisory council of subject matter experts from public health institutions, regulatory agencies, and health departments. To find resources and trainings, we identified and reviewed websites of agencies and organizations providing these to outbreak responders and environmental health professionals. In addition, we reviewed academic literature, conference presentations, and webinars. We actively contacted local, state, and tribal health departments for guidelines or other training materials not available online. Each training and resource was evaluated by major topic area, format (paper, online, and in-person), target audience, learning objectives, and requirements (registration and software). We mapped existing products found in the review to core competencies and learning objectives developed by the advisory council. The final integrated training compilation is housed in an online learning management system. Environmental health professionals at any level of experience can use the training portal to access training and resources related to conducting environmental assessments during a foodborne illness outbreak investigation. They can earn a certificate by completing a series of modules and passing knowledge tests. Public health training and continuing education is increasingly available online. As different agencies and institutions develop educational materials and resources, consolidating those resources and avoiding duplication is a challenge. This presentation provides a model for integrating asynchronous courses and resources in a single platform, meeting the needs of a busy public health workforce.

Environmental health sciences Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control Public health or related education Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines