Training Needs Self-Assessment for Management Staff In New York Health Departments

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Training Needs Self-Assessment for Management Staff In New York Health Departments

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this survey is to help identify high priority training needs of public health workers in New York Health Departments so that training resources can be developed to meet those needs.

The survey is a self-assessment of priority skills and training needs and interests for public health workers in program management or supervisory roles. Responsibilities of these professionals may include developing, implementing, and evaluating programs; supervising staff; establishing and maintaining community

partnerships; managing timelines and work plans; making policy recommendations; and providing technical expertise.

The questions in the survey are based on the “Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals” defined by a consensus process involving governmental, community, and academic public health professionals (www.phf.org). The Core Competencies reflect knowledge and skills that leaders and staff of public health organizations need to protect and promote health in their communities.

The results from these surveys of training needs will be used to identify existing and/or develop new training designed specifically for your health department. Training will be made available by the Region 2 Public Health Training Center (PHTC), a member of the national network of Public Health Training Centers. The PHTCs are funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

HEALTHY NEW YORK 2020 PRIORITIES

Your director or health officer indicated that the following public health topics are important for achieving the goals and objectives of your Health Department with regard to providing or working towards your local CHIP/CHA or NYS Prevention Agenda. Please indicate which are relevant topic areas of responsibility for you, considering your current position within your Health Department (Check all that apply).

LHD priority: ______________________________

LHD priority: _____________________________________

LHD priority:_____________________________________

Are there other NYS Prevention Agenda Priorities which are areas of responsibility for you? O No O Yes (Check all that apply)

O Reduce Obesity in Children and Adults

O Reduce Illness, Disability and Death Related to Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure

O Prevent Substance Abuse and other Mental Emotional Behavioral Disorders O Built Environment

O Increase Access to High-Quality Chronic Disease Preventive and Management in Clinical and Community Settings

O Outdoor Air Quality O Water Quality

O Strengthen Infrastructure across Systems

O Prevent HIV and STDs O Prevent Vaccine-Preventable

Diseases

O Injuries, Violence, and Occupational Health O Maternal and Infant Health O Child Health

O Reproductive, Preconception and Inter-Conception Health O Promote Mental, Emotional and

Behavioral Well-Being in Communities

O Prevent Health Care-Associated Infections

Please refer to goals and priorities related to these NYS Prevention Agenda Priorities for the next 12 months as

*Note: Information automatically filled-in based in previously completed LHD leadership survey

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REPORTING YOUR TRAINING NEEDS Instructions

Within each broad area of knowledge and skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT each skill listed is for you to do your job within your Health Department (1= NOT Important at All; 2= Somewhat Important; 3=VERY Important).

Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill (1 = NOT Confident at All; 2 = Somewhat Confident; 3 = VERY Confident)

Please try to answer every question. However you can chose not to answer or to offer a comment to explain your response. The survey should take about 15 min to complete. All information you provide will be kept confidential and protected. Surveys are analyzed by researchers at Columbia University and reports are prepared based on summary statistics only. If you have any questions about the survey or use of survey results, please phone or email Melissa Bernstein, MPH, CHES, Region 2 PHTC Program Coordinator at (212)305- 6984, [email protected]

The information you provide will help us develop and deliver high-priority workforce development trainings.

And by assessing your level of knowledge or skill for each competency area, you will be able to pursue training activities in those areas most important to you for your current job and future professional development.

ANALYTIC/ASSESSMENT SKILLS

Skills such as evaluation and needs assessment, the ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, and use data to inform public health activities. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

How important is this

skill for your current position?

CONFIDENCE

How confident are you in

your ability to perform this skill?

1 = NOT Important at All 2 = Somewhat Important 3 = VERY Important

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Describe the broad array of factors affecting the health

of a community 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   2. Identify and understand data 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   3. Assess needs and assets to address community health

needs 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   4. Turn data into information for action 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   5. Other analytic/ assessment skills important for your

current position ( specify) 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

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ANALYTIC/ASSESSMENT SKILLS

Skills such as evaluation and needs assessment, the ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, and use data to inform public health activities. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident _________________________________________________________________________________________

POLICY DEVELOPMENT/PROGRAM PLANNING SKILLS

Skills related to the development of public health policy, and the development of plans to implement the policy and related programs and initiatives. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Strategic planning, determine needed policies 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   2. Effectively advocate for policies 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   3. Plan, implement, evaluate, and improve policies or

programs 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   4. Other policy development/program planning skills

important for your current position ( specify) 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed policy development or program planning skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Skills for assessing the health literacy of target audiences and creating appropriate health-related communication;

soliciting input on health issues, disseminating health related information to individuals and organizations. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Communicate in writing, orally, and online with

linguistic and cultural proficiency

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   2. Solicitation of community input, active listening with

individuals and groups 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   3. Information dissemination to diverse audiences 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   4. Communication to influence behavior and improve

health 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   5. Other communication skills important for your

current position ( specify)

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed communication skills?

(Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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CULTURAL COMPETENCY SKILLS

Skills related to understanding and effectively responding to diverse needs and cultural background of the intended audience for public health services, literature, and education. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Understand and effectively respond to the diversity of

individuals and populations in a community 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   2. Describe and advocate for workforce diversity 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   3. Recognize cultural influences on policies, programs,

and services 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   4. Assess policy, program, and service impacts on

different populations

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   5. Other cultural competency skills important for your

current position (specify)

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed cultural competency skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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COMMUNITY DIMENSIONS OF PRACTICE SKILLS

Skills related to developing, maintaining, and advancing linkages and partnerships within the community, and

facilitating community involvement. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

How confident are you

in your ability to perform this skill?

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1.Distinguish roles of governmental and non-governmental

organizations for community programs and services 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   2. Develop and maintain relationships and linkages within

the community that affect health 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   3.Facilitate collaboration among partners and community

engagement 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   4. Advocate for policies, programs, and resources 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   5. Other community dimensions of practice skills important

for your current position (specify)

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed community dimensions of practice skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCES SKILLS

Skills related to ensuring and applying basic public health sciences to public health, such as biostatistics,

epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and health education. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Apply public health sciences for policies, programs,

services, and research 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   2. Apply public health sciences in administration and

management 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   3. Use evidence in developing, implementing,

evaluating, and improving programs and services 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

4. Describe the laws, regulations, policies, and

procedures for the ethical conduct of research 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   5. Other public health science skills important for your

current position (specify)

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed public health sciences skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Skills related to establishing a performance management system, developing and managing a public health budget, preparing proposals, and economic evaluation. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Explain public health and health care funding mechanisms

and procedures 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   2. Develop, justify, and defend program budgets 1 2 3

   1 2 3

  

3. Prepare proposals for funding 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   4. Use financial analysis methods for policies, programs, and

services

1 2 3

   1 2 3

  

5. Establish teams and motivate personnel for achieving program and organizational goals

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   6. Develop and use performance management systems 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   7. Other financial planning and management skills important

for your current position ( specify) 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed financial planning and management skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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LEADERSHIP AND SYSTEMS THINKING SKILLS

Skills related to interaction with inter-related organizations and systems that influence health of a community; serving as a public health role model, understanding and managing organizational change, establishing professional development opportunities for the public health workforce. For each specific skill, please indicate HOW IMPORTANT the skill is for your current position. Then rate HOW CONFIDENT you are in your current ability to perform the skill.

IMPORTANCE

CONFIDENCE

1 = NOT Confident at All 2 = Somewhat Confident 3 = VERY Confident 1. Explain ways public health, health care, and other

organizations can work together as part of an inter-related system to impact community health

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

2. Collaborate with individuals and organizations in

developing a vision for a healthy community 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

   3. Analyze internal and external facilitators and barriers

affecting delivery of public health services and programs 1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

4. Provide and ensure use of training and professional development opportunities

1 2 3

   1 2 3

   5. Modify organizational practices in consideration of social,

political, economic, or scientific change

1 2 3

   1 2 3

   6. Contribute to continuous improvement of individual,

program, and organizational performance 1 2 3

   1 2 3

   7. Other leadership and systems thinking skills important for

your current position (specify)

1 2 3

  

1 2 3

  

Are there any particular training topics that would help you gain or strengthen needed leadership and systems thinking skills? (Please describe)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

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Are there any additional training or professional development opportunities in ANY SKILL AREA that would be important for you in your current position in your Department of Health? Please describe.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING CENTER CONTENT FOCUS AREAS

The following 10 public health topics are the focus areas of different Regional Public Health Training Centers with resources available to help address training needs of public health workers. Please look down this list and rank up to THREE (3) topic areas in order of your priority for training with #1 being the HIGHEST priority. You may select the same or additional topic areas as those you identified as areas of high priority training need with regard to achieving NYS Prevention Agenda Priorities.

Rank Topic Areas

|___| Health Disparities, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health

|___| Public Health Preparedness

|___| Health Informatics and Health Information Technology

|___| Infectious Diseases

|___| Behavioral Health –Mental Health, Substance Abuse

|___| Environmental Public Health

|___| Diabetes

|___| Cancer

|___| Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity

|___| Violence and Injury Prevention

For each of your top 3 selections, please specify any specific training needs you have in this area 1. _____________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Next are a few background questions. These are optional but your answers will help us develop appropriate training resources for public health professionals in New York State.

Which best describes your primary area of responsibility in your department of health using the categories below? Please check based on your primary job responsibilities or function, not by your degree or

education.

O Maternal and Child Health O Communicable Disease Control O Chronic Disease Prevention O Community Health Assessment O Health Education

O Preparedness O Tobacco Control

O Lead Poisoning Prevention O Food Safety

O Water and Air Safety O Vector Control O Child Safety in Camps O Fiscal Administration

O Policy/Program Development O Quality Improvement

O Other (please specify)____________________________________________________

O More than one area ( first ________________________________________________

(second______________________________________________

What best describes your current supervisory status?

O Executive: member of Senior Executive Service or equivalent.

O Manager: you are in a management position and supervise one or more supervisors

O Supervisor: you are responsible for employees' performance appraisals and approval of their leave, but you do not supervise other supervisors

O Team leader: you provide employees with day-to-day guidance in work projects, but do not have official supervisory responsibility

O Non-supervisor: you do not supervise other employees

Do you work primarily in a primary care setting?

O Yes O No

O Other (please specify)_______________________________________________

Do you work primarily in an urban or rural area?

O Yes O No

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Do you currently practice in an underserved area or for a program that targets an underserved area or population?

O Yes O No

Approximately how long have you worked in public health at any health department or public health setting?

O Less than 1 year O 1-2 years O 3-4 years O 5-9 years O 10+ years

What is your highest diploma, professional certificate, or degree, if any?

O No diploma, certificate, or degree O High School Diploma

O Post High School Certificate O Associates Degree

O Baccalaureate degree O Master’s degree O Doctorate

O Other (please specify)__________________________________________

Please mark any health or public health degrees or professional certifications you have earned from a school or training program (select all that apply).

O None currently – no health or public health degree or certification O Community Health Worker

O Certificate in another health/public health field (specify)_________________

O Baccalaureate degree in a public health/ health related field (e.g. BA, BS, BSN) O Master’s degree in a public health/ health related field (e.g. MPH, MS, MSN) O Doctorate in public health or a health related field (e.g. DrPH, DNP, PhD) O MD/ DO, or international equivalent

O Other (please specify)__________________________________________

Are you currently interested in any specific training that would contribute to a professional certification or degree program?

O No

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These last questions let us know something about the diversity of the current public health workforce.

What is your gender?

O Male O Female

O Other ______________________________

What is your current age?

O Under 20 years O 20-29 years O 30-39 years O 40-49 years O 50-59 years O 60-69 years O 70 years or older

Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

O Yes.

O No

Which best represents your race/ethnicity?

O American Indian or Alaskan Native O Asian

O Black or African-American

O Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander O White

O Mixed, more than one race/ethnicity (please specify)______________________

What is your preferred language for trainings?

O English O Spanish

Which of the following modes of distance education do you prefer to participate in? (check all that apply).

O Computer-based training (e.g., self-study or interactive) O Web conferencing (e.g., iLinc, WebEx, Adobe connect) O Video conferencing (e.g., Skype)

O I don’t use distance education modalities

O Other (please specify) ______________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time and cooperation in completing this survey

Please contact Melissa Bernstein, MPH, CHES, Region 2 PHTC Center Coordinator at (212)305-6984 and/or [email protected] if you have any questions about this survey, use of its results, or if you would