Established in 2021, the PA Training Center for Health Equity (PATCHE) provides tools, training, and resources to advance health equity across Pennsylvania. The PATCHE has bolstered Pennsylvania’s public health infrastructure by training a growing workforce of regionally dispersed Community Health Organizers (CHOs) who work to impact health-related policies, programs, and services. Our team developed and evaluated a 12-session, case-based, tele-mentoring training (via Project ECHO) series on principles, skills, and tools of public health to effectively build workforce capacity to strengthen public health. The tele-mentoring framework was a hub and spoke model with a ‘hub’ of experts who facilitated case discussions presented by the ‘spoke’ participants (CHOs). Topics included emergency response plan development, coalition building, developing resilient and trauma-informed communities, and using logic models.

Overall, 39 CHOs were trained with this model. They were either very satisfied or satisfied (90.5%) with the information provided during the sessions. Participants also indicated the training was relevant to their work (92.9% satisfied or very satisfied) and provided new strategies and techniques to help them provide better services and care (77.4% agree or strongly agree).

Our training program fostered a collaborative learning environment and was well-received by CHOs throughout Pennsylvania. The program provides a model for future training programs for public health leaders. The CHOs were impactful by using community engagement, collaboration, and partnership to address health disparities while building public health capacity.

CHOs may be a reliable addition to the workforce that can address the health care needs of diverse populations. They are a component of the solution to develop local capacity to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and address health disparities to improve overall health outcomes. Future education and research should evaluate long-term impact of the CHO training and program.

The Central California Public Health Consortium is a regional collaboration between 11 counties and their local health departments. Workforce sustainability is a chronic issue in our region, and while resources exist to provide assessment of the local public health workforce training needs, there is often a lack of individual local health department (LHD) capacity to pursue those resources. Additionally, depending on what workforce assessments yield, LHDs may have limited capacity to pursue recommendations. CCPHC frequently looks for opportunities to leverage resources regionally, creating cost-savings, regional continuity, and stronger cross-county partnerships. Various regional workforce-oriented initiatives demonstrated a need to have regional workforce training needs data.

CCPHC worked closely with the Western Regional Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC) in the development and distribution of a Regional Public Health Workforce Training Needs Assessment, covering 11 counties in Central California. CCPHC convened a regional workgroup in Fall 2021 that made adjustments to the WRPHTC survey to ensure it met regional needs, and CCPHC Staff worked with WRPHTC Staff to finalize the survey and finalize a dissemination plan. The finalized assessment was distributed and completed in 2022, with participation from all 11 target counties. In analyzing survey results, variations among LHD size and response rates were evident and the original evaluation approach was modified. LHD results were analyzed individually first, in order to weigh the results of each county and ensure the needs of smaller LHDs were represented in the presentation of regional data. This assessment was the first iteration of a regional workforce survey for both organizations. A variety of techniques were utilized to facilitate a successful regional assessment, and both organizations have learned lessons on how to better facilitate regional processes in the future.

Presenters will discuss assessment outcomes, the ways that each organization and the involved LHDs are utilizing the results, lessons learned through the implementation and analysis process, and recommendations for others interested in pursuing regional assessments.

Due to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health field has an exceptional opportunity not only to address current challenges but also to rebuild and expand the workforce. The objective of this presentation is to highlight the 2018-2022 academic year's progress of the practice-based learning experience. The College serves more than 59, mostly rural counties, and involves diverse practicum preceptors, students, and existing professionals from the USA and other countries. The College provides a unique opportunity for students to develop practice-based education and training to master public health competencies in the field. The Office of Practice and Research collaborates with two Practicum coordinators on the undergraduate and graduate levels to create, support, sustain, and expand practicum opportunities locally and globally. The Practicum has created more than 17 community partnerships that provide an ongoing Practicum opportunity on all three program levels.(BSPH, MPH, DrPH). It fostered relationships between community organizations and academia to collaborate on research, interventions, and grants. It includes professional workshops, information sessions, and mentoring. In addition, it incorporates 1) an advisory board committee; 2) supervisor’s evaluations; and 3) alumni feedback. As a result of this program and other efforts, more than 80% of our students are employed or enrolled in further education within the defined period. This scalable and adaptable program serves as a model for advancing academia-community efforts aiming to successfully prepare students for entering the workforce, as well as enhancing the knowledge and skills of those in the workforce.