Sinopsis de las Tendencias de la Cooperación Internacional

The program shall engage in activities other than its offering of degree programs that support the professional development of the public health workforce.

3.3.a. A description of the ways in which the program periodically assesses the continuing education needs of the community or communities it intends to serve. The assessment may include primary or secondary data collection or data sources.

The MPH program strives to be responsive to the continuing education needs of the community and communities it intends to serve. MPH program faculty maintain strong collaborative ties with community health organizations which has lead to the identification of areas for continuing education. In 2010-2011, the MPH program conducted a needs assessment to identify potential areas of workforce development, including Certified and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES/MCHES), Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS), Emergency Medical Specialists (EMS) professionals. Currently, the MPH program is working with the National Liver Foundation to develop workshops and programs that address liver disease in the Central Valley region.

In addition, the MPH program utilizes three community partnerships to assess the continuing education needs of students and the public health workforce:

 MPH Advisory Board. As previously described, the MPH Advisory Board is comprised of alumni and community partners, including public health departments, hospitals, and community-based organizations. Board members identify areas for continuing education needs in the Central Valley region and make recommendations to the MPH program for workshops and trainings. For example, the need for a regional credential testing site has been identified to ensure a competent public health workforce. As a result, the MPH program faculty are in the process of exploring the requirements to become a CHES testing site. In

addition, the MPH program faculty are investigating mechanisms to provide CEU trainings for regional continuing education programs.

 San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium. As previously described, the SJVPHC consists of the public health directors in the Central Valley region. The consortium recommends regional needs to strengthen the competencies and skills of the public health workforce. As a result of the recommendations, the MPH program has developed and offered trainings for community health workers (“Promotores”).

 Central California Health Policy Institute. The CCHPI has been instrumental in identifying areas of workforce development. As a result of this collaboration, the MPH program recently sponsored a CDC “Shaping Policy for Health Conference.” This one-day regional training had 50 participants from public health departments, university departments, and community- based organizations. In addition, an estimated 10 MPH students participated in the training.

3.3.b. A list of the continuing education programs, other than certificate programs, offered by the program, including number of participants served, for each of the last three years. Those programs offered in a distance learning format should be identified. Funded training/continuing education activities may be reported in a separate table. (See CEPH Data Template 3.3.1, i.e., optional template for funded workforce development activities). Only funded training/continuing education should be reported in Template 3.3.1. Extramural funding for research or service education should be reported in Template 3.3.1 (research) or Template 3.2.2 (funded service), respectively.

Table 3.3.1. List of Continuing Education Programs by MPH Program 2009-2012

Date Title/Topic

Number of Participants

November 17, 2010 “The Next 100 Years of Public Health 75 October 25, 2012 “The Great Health Care Debate Event” 30 February 8, 2013 “Shaping Policy for Health” 50

Table 3.3.2. Funded Training/Continuing Education Activity from 2009 to 2012 Project Name PI Funding Source Funding Period Start/End Amount Total Award Amount 2010 Amount 2011 Amount 2012 CB Y/N SP Y/N Promotores Training Program M. Perez, Health Promotion Tulare County Workforce Development Grant 1/2012- 6/2012 $51,500 - - $51,500 Y N

3.3.c. A description of certificate programs or other non-degree offerings of the program, include enrollment data for each of the last three years.

The MPH program has not offered these types of non-academic programs for the last three years.

3.3.d. A description of the program's practices, policies, procedures and evaluation that support continuing education and workforce development strategies.

The MPH program complies with the university’s practices, policies, procedures, and evaluations that support continuing education and workforce development strategies. As noted above, the program coordinates continuing education and workforce development programs with the Division of Continuing and Global Education program. Proposals for certificate and non- degree offerings are submitted to the Division of Continuing and Global Education for consideration. A copy of the “Extension Course Proposal Form” is available in Resource File 3.3.D (Appendix O).

In addition, the MPH program conducts on-going needs assessments and program development activities to increase the knowledge and skills of public health students and workforce. The following strategies are used to support continuing education and workforce development:

 The MPH Advisory Board is comprised of students, alumni, and community representatives. Members represent hospitals, community-based organizations, and public health departments. Members identify areas for continuing education and workforce development opportunities in the Central Valley.

 The San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium consists of the public health department directors in nine Central Valley counties. The consortium meets monthly to

discuss the changing needs of the region and identifies areas of continuing education and workforce development.

3.3.e. A list of other educational institutions or public health practice organizations, if any with which the program collaborates to offer continuing education.

The Department of Public Health collaborates with a number of educational institutions and public health proactice organizations to offer continuing education:

 California Health Collaborative

 Public Health Training Academy

 Centers for Disease Control, Directors of Public Health Education

 National Liver Foundation

3.3.f. Assessment of the extent to which this criterion is met and an analysis of the program's strengths, weaknesses and plans relating to this criterion.

The MPH program faculty believe that this criteria has been partially met. As with many of the professional programs in the California State University system, the MPH program at California State University, Fresno is dependent upon the Department of Public Health resources and faculty to carry out its mission. During the past three years the program has focused its efforts on enhancing program curriculum, establishing clear policies, and strengthening the overall program.

As a result of this introspective emphasis, the program has not reached out to the community as could be expected. However, renewed efforts have been invested in identifying potential continuing education and workforce development areas. Progress in a number of areas have been initiated, including becoming a CHES/MCHES CEU provider, developing a Disaster Preparedness certificate program, and the expansion of the Promotoras Training Program. The Promotoras Training Program is part of the Workforce Development Program which recruits community members for entry-level community health training.

On the other hand, community service and engagement has been a significant priority to the MPH program. The MPH program faculty have been extensively involved in service and service learning for graduate students. Opportunities have been implemented within the coursework (PH 203S) to involve students in community-based service opportunities. The MPH program faculty have identified the need for incease workforce development and regional

trainings. Efforts to increase efforts in this area are demonstrated by workshops and trainings conducted over the past two years. The MPH program is firmly committed to increase activities in the area of workforce development and professional development opportunities for the Central Valley region.

Criterion 4.0