2009 Preparedness Training Series
Month-By-Month Listing of
Featured Topics and Trainings
January/February | March/April | May/June | July/August | September/October | November/December
Note: All trainings in the 2009 NCCPHP Preparedness Training Series are available on the NCCPHP Training Web Site and offer free CEUs.
January/February
Topic: Rapid Needs Assessments in Public Health
Rapid needs assessments (RNAs) are coming to be an essential component of efficient disaster relief operations. RNAs are designed to quickly provide accurate and inexpensive population-based information about community needs in the aftermath of a disaster and they allow public health officials to quickly identify and prioritize areas of need and appropriately target resources. The methods used with rapid needs assessments can also be extended beyond post-disaster settings and used in other areas of public health where surveys of the population are required.
Trainings: (choose two)
Overview of Rapid Needs Assessments: Rapid Needs Assessments Online Training 1
This presentation, developed by Morgan Johnson, MPH, Steve Ramsey, RS, and Mark Smith, PhD and recorded by Morgan Johnson, MPH, gives you an overview of rapid needs assessments and their use in incident management.
Rapid Needs Assessments Methodology: Rapid Needs Assessments Online Training 2
This presentation by Morgan Johnson, MPH, Steve Ramsey, RS, and Mark Smith, PhD and recorded by Morgan Johnson, MPH, gives you an overview of methodology behind rapid needs assessments and the recent improvements made to this methodology.
Using Handheld Computers to Gather Field Data: Rapid Needs Assessments Online Training 3
This presentation by Morgan Johnson, MPH, Steve Ramsey, RS, and Mark Smith, PhD and recorded by Morgan Johnson, MPH, gives you an overview of how to set up a handheld computer for field data collection during a Rapid Needs Assessment, or RNA, how to use the handheld computers' Global Positioning System, or GPS, and routing functions to navigate to interview sites, and how to collect field data on the handheld using an electronic survey form.
Analysis of Data from RNAs: Rapid Needs Assessments Online Training 4
This presentation by Cindi Snider, MPH, Steve Ramsey, RS, and Mark Smith, PhD and recorded by Morgan Johnson, MPH, gives you an overview of how to conduct an analysis of Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) data.
Rapid Needs Assessments and GIS (FOCUS, Volume 5.3)
This issue of FOCUS describes how to conduct a rapid needs assessment, and how to use geographic information systems to help gather and analyze information more quickly and efficiently.
March/April
Topic: Laboratory issues in public health
Given the importance of laboratory results in outbreak investigations and other public health arenas, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of public health laboratories and how they work. Important basic topics include proper collection of specimens, knowledge of types of laboratories and their functions, an understanding of how pathogens are tested in public health laboratories and commonly used lab tests.
Trainings: (choose two)
Collecting Specimens in Outbreak Investigations (FOCUS, Volume 4.2)
This issue of FOCUS discusses some of the different types of specimen collection that may be required during an outbreak, as well as some of the practical issues of clinical specimen collection, including packaging, shipping, and other logistical issues.
Laboratory Diagnosis: An Overview (FOCUS, Volume 4.3)
This issue of FOCUS provides an overview of the pathogens tested in public health laboratories and describes some commonly used lab tests.
Laboratory Diagnosis: Molecular Techniques (FOCUS, Volume 4.4)
This issue of FOCUS takes a closer look at the molecular techniques most commonly used in public health: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and ribotyping.
Laboratory Diagnosis in Outbreak Investigations (FOCUS, Volume 4.5)
This issue of FOCUS provides examples of how a variety of laboratory diagnostic techniques are used in investigational outbreak settings.
Laboratory Biosafety Levels (FOCUS, Volume 5.1)
This issue of FOCUS describes some of the differences between the biosafety levels, with examples of organisms studied and the precautions that must be taken in laboratories at each level.
May/June
Topic: Disaster Mental Health
Disasters often have profound short-term and long-term psychological consequences for affected persons and communities. Mental health interventions are an important component of effective disaster response and should be considered as part of public health disaster planning and response.
Trainings: (choose two)
Types and Phases of Disasters (NC DRN, Module 2)
This presentation by Tab Ballis, LCSW, LCAS, is part of the North Carolina Disaster Response Network Training series and provides a macro-perspective of the range of events which constitute a disaster, and the differentiating characteristics that are experienced by victims and responders.
Bio-Psycho-Social Responses to Disaster (NC DRN, Module 3)
This presentation by Laurie Hamilton, PhD, is part of the North Carolina Disaster Response Network Training series and provides an understanding of the biological, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual responses to stress as a consequence of disasters.
Mental Health Interventions in Disasters (NC DRN, Module 4)
This presentation by Tab Ballis, LCSW, LCAS, is part of the North Carolina Disaster Response Network Training series and provides mental health professionals with a template for the central issues relevant to planning and execution of disaster interventions.
Resiliency in Disasters (NC DRN, Module 5)
This presentation by John Simpson, PhD, is part of the North Carolina Disaster Response Network Training series and provides an overview of resiliency, the most common response to disasters.
July/August
Topic: Data Analysis
Analytic skills related to the management and interpretation of data are considered to be part of the core competencies for public health professionals and as such, are an important component of overall public health preparedness.
Trainings: (choose two)
Analyzing Data (I is for Investigation, Session 5)
This presentation gives you an overview of the data analysis methods commonly used during outbreak investigations.
Data Analysis Basics: Variables and Distribution (FOCUS, Volume 3.5)
This issue of FOCUS will take you through the basic steps of descriptive data analysis including understanding variables, basic coding principles and simple univariate data analysis.
Data Analysis: Simple Statistical Tests (FOCUS, Volume 3.6)
This issue of FOCUS will discuss confidence intervals and p-values, and will introduce some basic statistical tests, including chi squares and ANOVA.
Advanced Data Analysis: Methods to Control for Confounding (FOCUS, Volume 4.1)
This issue of FOCUS will explore logistic regression and accounting for matched data. Logistic regression is an efficient way to control for many potential confounders at one time. Matching, if done correctly in the study design stage of the investigation, reduces confounding before the analysis even begins.
September/October
Topic: Emergency Powers Act
This important piece of legislation was developed post- September 11, 2001, to serve as a guide to facilitate the planning, detection and management of public health emergencies and to assist state legislators, public health officials and national agencies.
Trainings: (choose two)
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, Part 1: Origin and Purpose
This presentation by Sarah Pfau, MPH, gives you an overview of the origin and purpose of the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act.
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, Part 2: Exploring the Act’s Content
This presentation by Sarah Pfau, MPH, gives you an overview of the content within the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act.
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, Part 3: Implementation
This presentation by Sarah Pfau, MPH, gives you an overview of the implementation of the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, with a focus on North Carolina.
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, Part 4: Public Health Emergency Preparedness: North Carolina Program Offices and Plans
This presentation by Sarah Pfau, MPH, gives you an overview of the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, focusing on program offices and plans within North Carolina as an example one state’s preparedness efforts and how they are relevant to to
the public health emergency functions addressed by the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act.
November/December
Topic: Field Epidemiology Skills: Presenting Information
Many public health functions rely on accurate and appropriate delivery and presentation of information to diverse audiences including individuals, communities, governing officials and the media. Communicating clearly is an important skill whether providing health education, conducting outbreak investigations, sharing data results or delivering reports to stakeholders.
Trainings: (choose two)
Poster Presentations: A How-To Guide - Part 1
This presentation by Tara Rybka, MPH, gives you an overview of creating effective poster presentations, focusing on the elements that are necessary for a poster presentation.
Poster Presentations: A How-To Guide - Part 2
This presentation by Tara Rybka, MPH, gives you an overview of creating poster presentations, focusing on displaying the content in the most effective presentation.
Risk and Crisis Communication (I is for Investigation Session 7)
This presentation developed by Sarah E. Pfau, MPH and Kim Brunette, MPH and recorded by Jennifer A. Horney, MPH gives you an overview of theories and strategies of risk communication.
Writing an Outbreak Report (I is for Investigation, Session 6)
This presentation developed by Sarah E. Pfau, MPH and Kim Brunette, MPH and recorded by Jennifer A. Horney, MPH gives you an overview of outbreak reports and their critical components.
Mapping for Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation (FOCUS, Volume 5.2)
This issue of FOCUS discusses how maps can be used in field epidemiology practice, as well as some commonly-used computer software programs that can capture and analyze data and integrate them into a spatial display.
Certificate of Completion
When you have completed 12 modules in the series (at least 2 on each bi-monthly topic), please email nccphp@unc.edu. You will be sent a link to a short online evaluation. Once you have completed the survey, a certificate of completion will be emailed to you.
For more information, contact 919-843-5561 or nccphp@unc.edu.