Region IV Public Health Training Center

Foundations of Community Engagement and Outreach for Improving Health Outcomes: Building Trust & Relationships with Communities   Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on September 11, 2024. This is the first session in a three-part webinar series. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. Training Overview: This webinar is an introduction to community engagement, focusing on strategies for building trust and relationships with communities. This session will cover methods to address historical mistrust and develop meaningful partnerships. The goal of this session is to equip local health department staff with actionable community engagement and outreach strategies to improve health outcomes.  This is the first session in a 3-part webinar series that is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of public health staff at local health departments in the Southeastern United States. The series aims to build capacity in effective community engagement and outreach, focusing on overcoming barriers, fostering trust, and developing sustainable practices to improve health outcomes. Each session addresses key challenges and solutions to equip health departments with knowledge, skills, and resources to improve their community outreach efforts. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. About the Presenter: Dr. Joyee Washington is a Community-Engaged Research Consultant from Jackson, Mississippi. In 2020, she founded Joyee Washington Consulting with a mission to revolutionize public health by transforming public health research into life-changing public health solutions. Through her business, Dr. Joyee works with community-based organizations, non-profits, public health organizations, and academic institutions to help them build meaningful community partnerships, conduct impactful research, and create data-informed solutions.  Dr. Joyee has over 18 years of research experience and 10 years of public health experience. Her educational background includes advanced degrees in biomedical sciences and public health. In 2022, she graduated with her PhD in Education (emphasis in research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment). As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), she has served as a coordinator of community based participatory research, coordinator of community outreach for health resources, and faculty member in the Department of Public Health at The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Joyee believes that a healthier and equitable future lies in the power of our communities.  Additionally, Dr. Joyee is host of The Public Health Joy Podcast, a safe space for real and honest conversation about public health research and the relationship building processes necessary to bring joy to the communities we serve.    CERTIFICATE:  The course contains three modules: a module for pre-webinar questions, a module to access the webinar, and an evaluation module. After accessing the three modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Foundations of Community Engagement and Outreach for Improving Health Outcomes: Sustaining Engagement and Achieving Health Outcomes with Communities  Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on October 16, 2024. This is the third session in a three-part webinar series. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. Training Overview: This webinar will focus on strategies for maintaining long-term community partnerships and the importance of evaluating engagement efforts. Participants will learn the importance of creating sustainable practices and assessing the impact of community engagement activities. The goal of this session is to provide participants with the knowledge and tools to foster enduring relationships with community partners, implement consistent and effective engagement practices, and utilize evaluation methods to measure and improve the outcomes of their initiatives.   This is the third session in a 3-part webinar series that is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of public health staff at local health departments in the Southeastern United States. The series aims to build capacity in effective community engagement and outreach, focusing on overcoming barriers, fostering trust, and developing sustainable practices to improve health outcomes. Each session addresses key challenges and solutions to equip health departments with knowledge, skills, and resources to improve their community outreach efforts.  About the Presenter: Dr. Joyee Washington is a Community-Engaged Research Consultant from Jackson, Mississippi. In 2020, she founded Joyee Washington Consulting with a mission to revolutionize public health by transforming public health research into life-changing public health solutions. Through her business, Dr. Joyee works with community-based organizations, non-profits, public health organizations, and academic institutions to help them build meaningful community partnerships, conduct impactful research, and create data-informed solutions.  Dr. Joyee has over 18 years of research experience and 10 years of public health experience. Her educational background includes advanced degrees in biomedical sciences and public health. In 2022, she graduated with her PhD in Education (emphasis in research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment). As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), she has served as a coordinator of community based participatory research, coordinator of community outreach for health resources, and faculty member in the Department of Public Health at The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Joyee believes that a healthier and equitable future lies in the power of our communities.  Additionally, Dr. Joyee is host of The Public Health Joy Podcast, a safe space for real and honest conversation about public health research and the relationship building processes necessary to bring joy to the communities we serve.    CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation and resources module. After accessing the two modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

From Vision to Action: Creating Strength-Based Goals to Enhance Personal and Professional Growth Note: This is a live webinar on January 31, 2025, from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET. Participants will use Zoom to join.  Training Overview: This webinar will help participants develop meaningful and achievable personal and professional goals through leveraging their unique strengths and abilities. Participants will explore practical strategies such as identifying personal competencies, understanding goal characteristics (approach vs. avoidance, performance vs. mastery), as well as using action planning techniques through interactive learning. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to apply these actionable tools and strategies to create sustainable goals that inspire growth and align with their values.   About the Presenter: Lamarr Lewis, LAPC, is a dedicated public servant, mental wellness advocate, published author, and change agent. As a community-based practitioner, he has worked with such diverse groups as; individuals living with psychiatric disabilities, people in recovery, At-Hope (He does not use the term At-Risk) youth, and more. He tirelessly gives back to his community through homeless outreach initiatives, public speaking, mentoring, coaching, and finding ways to develop the next generation of leaders. He is an alumnus of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and received his master’s degree from Argosy University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is currently a mental health therapist, trainer, and consultant. His lifelong mission is to leave the world better than when he found it. CERTIFICATE: The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the two modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Future-Proof Public Health: Learning Agility for Leaders in a Changing World Note: This is a recording of  a live webinar held on November 6, 2024.  Training Overview: In today's unpredictable public health environment, agility is a critical trait for leaders to thrive. Learning agility means adapting swiftly in ambiguous situations, applying past lessons to new challenges, and embracing curiosity. Agile leaders don't rely on conventional solutions but continuously seek improvement and innovation. While agility is partly an inherent trait, it can be developed over time. Though more difficult to cultivate than skills like communication, leaders can enhance their agility through continuous learning and open-mindedness. In this rapidly changing landscape, learning agility is the cornerstone of future-proof leadership in public health.  About the Presenter: Kirsten Rodgers, EdD, MSPH, MCHES®, is a dynamic leader with over twenty years of experience fostering a culture of continuous learning across public health agencies, nonprofit healthcare entities, and professional associations. As President of Proximate Learning, a national consulting firm, Kirsten leads a network of highly skilled consultants dedicated to developing innovative learning and leadership development experiences for small businesses, nonprofits, regional healthcare systems, and federal health agencies, including CDC and NIH. Inspired by her study of learning agility at Teachers College, Columbia University, Kirsten has focused on building her own leadership skills and coaching others to enhance their abilities through continuous learning and adaptability. She has developed and scaled innovative educational programs for global health organizations, impacting over 500,000 public health professionals worldwide, and has played a critical role in accreditation efforts for training programs across numerous branches of Health and Human Services (HHS). With expertise in adult learning, strategic planning, and health education, Kirsten is passionate about building capacity in leaders to adapt and innovate in rapidly changing environments. She holds an Ed.D. in Health Education from Columbia University and an M.S.P.H. from the University of South Carolina and has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at institutions including Emory University, University of North Texas, and University of North Carolina Wilmington. Through her work at Proximate Learning, Kirsten and her team navigate federal funding processes, forge strategic relationships, and plan, implement, and evaluate impactful learning and leadership initiatives. CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the three modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: These are recordings of live lectures held on May 5, 2015; May 6, 2016; May 19, 2017; and May 16, 2018. Training Overview Scott Maxwell, Founding Partner of Mathews and Maxwell, Inc. and Legislative Liaison for the Georgia Public Health Association will provide an update on the previous Georgia Legislative Session, including highlights of legislation and appropriations that will have an impact on public health. The presentation will also include a forecast for public health-related legislation. Scott will leave participants with some strategies for promoting public health in their local communities and across the state. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. Each recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu. About the Trainer Scott Maxwell Scott spent nearly a half-dozen years in Washington, where he served as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has also provided media relations and communications training for private corporations as well as employees of the Division of Family and Children Services and UGA’s Small Business Development Centers. Scott’s public affairs experience includes service as the Reading Clerk on the floor of the Georgia Senate and as a Public Information Officer assigned to disaster areas by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Scott is the immediate Past-Chairman of the Board for the State YMCA of Georgia. He is an active member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Professional Lobbyist Association. He and his wife, Jeanne, have three children. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is an on-demand webinar. Training Overview Without feedback, individuals and organizations cannot grow. Feedback is the key to better serving your community and getting the most out of your team. But giving and receiving feedback can be incredibly uncomfortable and unproductive. And when done poorly, feedback can actually be destructive. In this interactive and light-hearted session, learn the right questions to ask and how to handle the feedback – good or bad – with courtesy and professionalism. Get tools in how to deliver feedback that is specific, actionable, and measurable. So instead of shrinking from feedback, you can embrace it for the opportunity it is. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu. About the Trainer Shana Merlin, Founder of Merlin Works The Founder of Merlin Works, Shana Merlin, is a lecturer in the College of Medicine Texas A&M University and an associate at the Center for Health Communication at the University of Texas. Some of her most requested programs are on the topics of team building, communication, persuasion, leadership, medical communications, and creativity. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more