NACCHO, in collaboration with CDC’s Project Firstline, recently hosted two in-person workshops designed to empower local health department (LHD) staff to deliver effective infection prevention and control (IPC) education to healthcare facility partners in their communities. These workshops built on NACCHO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the public health workforce by providing essential training, tools, and capacity-building support to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
Training Designed for Trainers
The IPC Training Workshops were aligned with two free, self-paced online courses available through NACCHO University. These foundational courses remain available to support LHD staff who provide IPC training to healthcare facilities:
IPC Fundamentals of Infection Control: This introductory course covers essential IPC concepts, including infectious agents, transmission methods, and both bodily and environmental germ reservoirs. Geared toward LHD staff new to clinical settings or IPC, or those needing a refresher, the course builds foundational knowledge to help LHDs train healthcare facility staff effectively.
Principles of Adult Learning: This course explores effective strategies for training planning, facilitation, learning modalities, audience analysis, and evaluation, with a focus on adult learners. It complements the IPC Fundamentals series and helps LHD staff utilize Project Firstline resources to deliver effective training.
Workshop Content
Each workshop facilitated by consultants from WE Public Health offered interactive, hands-on learning to help LHD staff strengthen their facilitation skills and confidence as IPC trainers. Participants received structured materials, explored real-world scenarios, and provided feedback that informed the development of new resources to support ongoing IPC training delivery.
Workshop Objectives:
Build IPC Knowledge & Competency: Strengthen understanding of infection control principles to enhance training effectiveness.
Apply Adult Learning Strategies: Explore methods for engaging adult learners and adapting training to diverse audiences.
Practice Facilitation Techniques: Gain hands-on experience using techniques that foster welcoming, interactive learning environments.
Encourage Peer Collaboration: Build networks to share best practices, challenges, and innovations in IPC training.
Enhance Training Impact & Sustainability: Develop strategies for evaluating and sustaining IPC education efforts within LHDs.
Contribute to Resource Development: Provide feedback to inform NACCHO’s future IPC training tools and initiatives.
Note: These sessions featured brand-new content and updated learning objectives. Prior attendance at other IPC workshops was not required.
April 2025 Workshop: Preparedness Summit Pre-Conference
Title: Delivering High-Impact IPC Training Through Better Design and Facilitation
Attendance: 43 LHD professionals from across the country
Participants expanded on their knowledge from the Principles of Adult Learning course and had the opportunity to:
- Strengthen IPC training and facilitation skills
- Practice interactive teaching techniques
- Share experiences and build peer networks
Resources from this workshop include:
July 2025 Workshop: NACCHO360 Pre-Conference
Title: Beyond the Basics: Leveling Up IPC Training with Connection & Creativity
Attendance: 45 LHD professionals from across the country
Building on both the Principles of Adult Learning and IPC Fundamentals of Infection Control courses, participants:
- Applied adult learning strategies and interpersonal skills to IPC training
- Reviewed and explained key IPC concepts (e.g., germs, reservoirs, transmission, and standard precautions)
- Practiced creative facilitation techniques, including games, coaching, and scenario-based exercises
Resources from this workshop include:
- Adult Learning Principles Reference Guide
- Adult Learning Principles Bingo
- Facilitation Techniques Reference Guide
- Facilitation Techniques Bingo
- All workshop slides
- IPC Case Puzzles and Answer Sheets
- IPC Training Scenarios
New Resources Developed from Participant Feedback
Based on input from workshop participants, three new resources to further support IPC trainers were created:
Adult Learning Facilitator’s Toolkit: Reorganized Principles of Adult Learning and Facilitation reference guides, explaining the what and why of each principle offering practical strategies for implementation.
Training Preparation Checklist: Step-by-step guide for planning a training from start to finish.
Training “Run of Show”: How-to guide for preparing a facilitator guide for real-time use, with examples for in-person and virtual trainings. The PDF version includes sample guides; Word file provides template for customization.
These tools were developed after the workshops, based directly on participant feedback, and are designed to help LHD staff plan, execute, and sustain high-quality IPC education across healthcare facilities.
Acknowledgment: These workshops and the development of these resources were facilitated in collaboration with consultants from WE Public Health.
Continue Your IPC Training Journey
While the in-person workshops have concluded, the online courses and resources remain freely available. NACCHO and Project Firstline are committed to supporting LHD staff in enhancing IPC training skills and protecting public health. These new tools provide additional guidance for planning, facilitating, and sustaining high-quality IPC education across healthcare facilities.
