Featured Courses

From Facebook to Focus Groups: Developing and Implementing Groups Successfully in Public Health

Focus groups & Advisory groups & Photovoice groups & Health promotion groups & Facebook groups & Skype groups & Education groups & Training groups & Email groups & Evaluation groups & Groups, groups and more groups! This course will cover aspects of the various types of groups used in public health settings, from one time to continuous open groups. Specifically, the course is intended for students who plan to develop and conduct groups, including those employed in public health, private, and non-profit agencies. We will explore reasons for using group formats, theories that inform why groups work (or don’t work), readings that demonstrate group successes and challenges, and strategies for yielding successful groups. This course will provide opportunity for practicing skills to handle challenging group dynamics and situations. Lecture, and discussions, will provide students with insights on how best to approach analysis of group data. Time will not be spent extensively analyzing data; however, students are encouraged to bring any group-based data they have because there may be opportunities in class to discuss and work with the data. Students should expect to leave the course with a solid understanding about optimal situations for implementing groups (and when not to), awareness of the skills needed to be an effective group facilitator for varied, diverse group situations, tools to enhance group success, and confidence to go out and initiate groups!

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Planning for Urgent Threats

Public concern over the impact of disease outbreaks, environmental exposures, and the potential for intentional use of biologic, chemical radiological, or explosive devices has led to an increased emphasis on the role of public health in disaster preparedness and response. Public health agencies, working collaboratively with colleagues in other disciplines, are front-line workers in early detection, taking action during a disaster and supporting long-term assessment and recovery for all types of hazards. New activities of managing national or local supply stockpiles, coordinating patient care and supporting volunteer programs have expanded the traditional roles of public health in emergency preparedness. This course explores the role of public health in disaster preparedness, response and recovery and how public health agencies plan for managing the crisis, providing surge capacity to maintain public health and healthcare functions and assisting a community’s recovery from a disaster.

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