NACCHO is proud to partner with Project Firstline, a collaborative from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). Project Firstline strives to equip public health professionals and frontline healthcare workers with infection control principles and protocols. As a partner of Project Firstline, NACCHO supports these efforts to improve LHDs’ IPC knowledge and practice so that they can effectively partner with healthcare facilities in their jurisdiction.
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Essential Skills Training Series: a combination of virtual and in-person training opportunities for LHD staff. NACCHO is working with Cardea to develop and implement this Essential Skills (i.e., soft skills) Training curriculum for LHDs involved in supporting healthcare IPC activities.
The training series will include five key areas of concentration:
- relationship and collaboration,
- communication,
- emotional intelligence,
- cultural competency with an equity focus,
- and creating the environment (safe, inclusive, and innovative).
These are all areas LHD staff identified as essential in a previous assessment to inform training needs. The training series events will build upon each other, taking knowledge gained from the previous training activity to inform the next. The series, facilitated by our trainer experts from Cardea, will ensure each topic is holistically approached to address the diverse experiences and skillset of LHD staff. In addition, access to relevant resources and tools will be available for training participants.
This webpage will be updated periodically with new Essential Skills Training Series sessions as they are finalized. Check back regularly or follow our social media (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) for updates!
For more information, contact Andrea Chavez Calvi at [email protected].
Our first webinar of this series will take place on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET.
Essential skills, also known as soft skills, are integral for all LHD staff supporting IPC activities in healthcare settings. An understanding of unconscious bias and social determinants of health and equity are fundamental to cultural competency and relationship-building with healthcare facility partners.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Recognize the value of essential skills as they relate to IPC.
2. Describe social determinants of health and equity.
3. Understand the basic principles of unconscious bias (UB).
This webinar will serve as an introductory lesson for these essential skills and as a foundation for the in-person training this fall. We will be hosting this webinar live and then sending out access to the recording to those who are registered. To register, click here.
Our first in-person training of this series will take place on Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Atlanta, GA.
This in-person opportunity will focus on creating a safe, respectful, and innovative environment for LHDs working with and training healthcare facility staff on IPC, including considerations for cultural competency, racial justice, and trauma-informed learning. The session will build upon concepts learned in the October webinar and give participants the opportunity for further discussion and practice of skills. Registration for this training event, which includes the cost of training, flight, hotel, and per diem for LHD staff, is now open! To register, click here. Registration must be completed by Friday, October 6.
