Leadership, Management and Workforce Development
Sharing Session - 30 Minutes
Karla Todd, MBA, MSM
Program Manager, Training Specialist
BUSPH, New England Public Health Training Center
Hope Kenefick, MSW, PhD
Evaluator
Boston University School of Public Health, NEPHTC
In fall 2018, the Public Health Learning Network released the Strategic Workforce Action Agenda, suggesting that “quality, multi-modal training” is needed, as well as “geared toward practical application and integration of learning to address system changes.” Systems Thinking is frequently cited as one of the most needed skills for progress in public health. In spring through fall 2018, New England Public Health Training Center (NEPHTC) rolled out a multi-modal Systems Thinking training program that also develops capacity via coaching. The program includes one day live classroom training, an online complementary self-paced training, and a coaching program to assist motivated teams to apply systems thinking in the workplace or on a population health issue. Together with partners, the NEPHTC has rolled out the Systems Thinking Training (live, coaching, and self-paced) in VT, CT, RI, and NH with health departments and community organizations, depending on the state. The live and online training have gotten excellent evaluation results. Though evaluation of coaching is ongoing, team testimonials assert that it is very valuable to users by requiring them to struggle with new levels of confronting underlying problems and planning around them. NEPTHC will provide live, online, and pilot coaching results. Health Departments of varying sizes, or health departments with community organizations, can use this training and capacity building to work on the underlying causes of their work place and population health problems.