Identifying training priorities through self-assessment by Alyssa K. Landen
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IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERSReason to AddressPublic health agencies do not have the resources or the expertise to provide public health services to the community on their own. For this reason it is necessary to engage with stakeholders. A stakeholder is a group or individuals who have an interest in a public health decision or program, and has a unique perspective or opinion regarding this decision or program. According to Longest and Rohrer, communication with stakeholders assists in carrying out the health department’s mission and provides resources that allow for programs and efforts to be sustainable within the county (Longest and Rohrer, 2005). Stakeholders will vary based on intervention or program the health department is focusing on. It is essential that individuals at the Allegheny County Health Department be able to identify organizations within Allegheny County and the region to assist in their public health efforts. Program heads may have an idea or concept for an intervention that will improve the population’s health but it may not be successfully implemented without the assistance of others within the community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that stakeholders fall into three categories: those affected by the intervention, those involved in the operation of the intervention, and those involved in the evaluation of the intervention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). They list the following as potential stakeholders in public health efforts(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.):
Recommended TrainingsThe following trainings are currently available on the TRAIN website as options for staff of the health department to participate in (under the search term “stakeholders”) (Public Health Foundation, n.d.c):
Some of these trainings are general, while others are specific to a program or intervention. These trainings can be used as is or adapted by health department staff to better meet the training needs of employees. It is recommended that trainings also provide examples of stakeholders within the county and current organizations with in which the health department already collaborates. It is recommended that all staff within the health department receive a general training on engaging stakeholders and receive additional program specific training, if necessary. The goal of training the health department staff on the importance of community stakeholders and potential stakeholders within the county is to better achieve the ten essential services of public health. If a workforce at the health department understands the importance of stakeholder involvement and understands how successes of programs depend on involvement of stakeholders, they may be more willing to engage them. With cuts in funding to public health, it is important now more than ever to involve stakeholders that can provide resources to the health department for successful implementation of programs and provide guidance on the most effective allocation of limited resources. The health department alone cannot achieve improvements in the public’s health. conclusionLocal health departments within the United States function to achieve the ten essential services of public health. With cuts in funding and a reduction in health department staff, a competent and efficient workforce is needed to provide the services necessary for population health. Accreditation attempts to hold health departments to standards necessary for optimal performance. Through addressing domain 8 of accreditation, maintain a competent public health workforce, Allegheny County Health Department is working to better prepare its workforce for current and future public health issues. Few current employees have formal public health training and through self-assessment have determined that there is room for improvement in their public health competencies. It is necessary that the Allegheny County Health Department better prepare its workforce to address public health issues and should focus on training staff in public health policy, cultural competency, and identification of stakeholders. These trainings will align with the health department’s strategic direction and will ensure that the health of the 1.2 million individuals the Allegheny County Health Department serves improves not only now but for future years to come. : ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Download 189.55 Kb. Share with your friends:
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