Continuing Education
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COURSES & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The College of Public Health frequently offers continuing education and training for public health professionals through the Office of Public Health Practice and Partnerships. The College's workforce development activities are aligned with needs assessments that the College conducts or participates in periodically. Here are links to several recent reviews of professional development needs in the College's priority communities:
- Region V Public Health Training Center Training Needs Assessment:
- Assessing the Continuing Education Needs of Ohio's Local Boards of Health:
- The College of Public Health 2020 Alumni Survey also identified these interests among alumni in continuing education topics:
Individuals interested in learning more about continuing education should contact the Office of Public Health Practice and Partnerships at 330-672-6500 or publichealth@kent.edu.
THESE COURSES ARE NON-CREDIT AND ONLINE. ONGOING SCHEDULE - THE BELOW COURSES ARE OFFERED CONTINUOUSLY WITH NO REGISTRATION DEADLINES.
- Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist Exam Preparation Course - This course includes lectures, online resources, and sample exam questions covering all topical areas in the actual National Environmental Health Association Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam. The cost for the course is $330. and view more on the Lifelong Learning website.
- Key Aspects of Financial Management - This course covers budgeting and some of the sources of revenue and expenditures associated with health services organizations, including those that provide clinical services. It gives a high-level introduction to Financial Management concepts and skills like managing a budget, and it will also expose you to financial performance improvement tools in more depth. It is intended for public health professionals in all settings, including governmental public health, non-profits, and health systems, including financial management. The instructor for the course is Matthew Stefanak, College of Public Health Ambassador. Click to register for this course hosted by the Region V Public Health Training Center. There is no cost for this self-paced course.
- Leadership and Whole Systems Change - The goal of this course is to understand why the whole-systems process is often so much more effective than top-down organizational change. This course starts with a podcast primer on leadership before introducing participants to whole-system change methods which can be utilized in their workplace. The instructor for this course is Ken Zakariasen, Professor, College of Public Health. Click to register for this course hosted by the Region V Public Health Training Center.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS
Foodborne Illness: A Historical Perspective
This course explores the history of food production in human communities, foodborne illness, and the evolution of food safety standards and has been approved for 2.5 hours of Registered Environmental Health Specialist credit by the Ohio Department of Health.
The 2022 FDA Food Code and The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
This course explores the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration 2022 Food Code and the provisions of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)and has been approved for 2.5 hours of Registered Environmental Health Specialist credit by the Ohio Department of Health.
Food Microbiology: Biological Hazards
This course focuses on identifying the biological agents (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) responsible for foodborne illness and the factors associated with their survival, growth, and control.
THESE COURSES ARE OFFERED BY OTHER TRAINING PROVIDERS THAT ADDRESS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION
PROVIDED BY THE REGION V PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING CENTER
| non-credit self-paced web courses | |
| podcasts |
PROVIDED BY THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE
PROVIDED BY THE MID-ATLANTIC PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING CENTER
PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
BOARDS OF HEALTH CONTINUING EDUCATION LECTURES
In collaboration with the Ohio Association of Boards of Health and the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, the 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health is pleased to make available a series of short continuing education (CE) modules that local boards of health may use to fulfill their CE requirements in Ohio Administrative Code Section 3701-36-03. The content of these continuing education modules is based on areas identified in the 2020 and 2024 CE needs assessments. Here are results from the needs assessment surveys of local boards of health:
Documents
2024-2025 Ohio Boards of Health Continuing Education Needs Assessment
2020 Ohio Boards of Health Continuing Education Needs Assessment
Introducing the Foundational Public Health Services Model
Terry Allan, a member of the board of directors of the Public Health Accreditation Board, discusses the development of the Foundational Public Health Services model and its application to local public health in Ohio.
What Does It Cost to Provide Foundational Public Health Services in Ohio?
In this second segment of the Foundational Public Health Services series, Susan Tilgner, Executive Director of the Ohio Public Health Institute, presents data from the Annual Financial Reports of local health departments about the resources needed to fully implement Foundational Public Health Services in Ohio.
How Can We Use Foundational Public Health Services Cost Data in Ohio?
In this third segment of the Foundational Public Health Services series, Susan Tilgner, Executive Director of the Ohio Public Health Institute, explains how we can use FPHS data for strategic planning, meeting accreditation standards, financial benchmarking, and advocacy for needed resources.
Understanding the Role of Local Boards of Health in Emergency Preparedness and Response
This training module provides an overview of the critical responsibilities of local board of health members in supporting public health emergency preparedness and response efforts. It begins by defining public health emergencies and the legal and policy frameworks that guide response efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
The module emphasizes the board's governance role, ensuring appropriate planning, funding, and policies are in place to support the health department. It also highlights the importance of collaboration with emergency management partners and understanding structures like the Incident Command System (ICS) and Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP).
Special focus is given to risk communication, public trust, and ethical decision-making during crises. The final sections explore how board members can support post-incident learning through After-Action Reviews and continuous improvement.
By completing this module, board members will be better equipped to lead with confidence, provide oversight, and support a coordinated and effective response to protect the health and safety of their communities.
Local Public Health Funding and Responsible Financial Stewardship: An Overview for Local Board of Health Members Part 1
Alex Tranovich from the Ohio 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health provides an overview of budgeting and financial management foundational principles for local board of health members. Part 1 includes foundational principles applicable to any local board of health nationwide.
Local Public Health Funding and Responsible Financial Stewardship: An Overview for Local Board of Health Members Part 2
Alex Tranovich from the Ohio 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health provides an overview of budgeting and financial management foundational principles for local board of health members. Part 2 includes information specific to Ohio, including public health funding and Ohio law.
Strategic Planning for Local Health Districts
In this module Baylie Blevins from the Fairfield County Health Department provides an overview of the strategic planning process for local health departments, emphasizing its importance in setting organizational direction, supporting accreditation, and ensuring alignment with community needs. Boards of Health play a critical governance role by approving the plan, monitoring progress, and advocating for key priorities. Strategic plans must be inclusive, data-informed, and integrated with other core plans such as the CHIP, QI Plan, and Workforce Development Plan. Tools and support are available from PHAB, ODH, NACCHO, and CDC to guide this process and strengthen public health infrastructure.
Granting Variances to Public Health Regulations
In this module Rachel Moresea from the Fairfield County Health Department explains the requirements for granting a board of health variance to a public health regulation.
Board of Health Self-Assessments: Why They Are Important and Tools for Conducting Them
Nancy Terwoord, Greene County Board of Health member and current President of the National Association of Local Boards of Health, discussed the six governance functions of local boards of health and tools available from NALBOH for boards of health to assess their performance.
Boards of Health and Community Engagement
Ella Ergazos from the College of Public Health describes a process for developing relationships that enable boards of health to engage stakeholders to address health-related community issues and promote well-being to achieve positive health impact and outcomes
Conflict of Interest Sunshine Laws - Communicating Outside of Meetings
Ella Ergazos from the College of Public Health Ella discusses conflicts of interest, Sunshine laws and communicating among board of health members outside of meetings.
The Board of Health Role in the Sewage Treatment System (STS) Program
Rachel Moresea, REHS, from the Fairfield County Health Department, explains the role of the board of health in overseeing the Sewage Treatment Systems (STS) program in the health department.
MODULE 1
MODULE 2
The second module in this series is presented by 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health Ambassador and retired Mahoning County Health Commissioner Matthew Stefanak. This module addresses the American Public Health Association Public Health Code of Ethics and its application to the coronavirus pandemic. It was first presented on July 29, 2020 as part of the National Association of County and City Health Officials webinar: The Role of Public Health Ethics in COVID-19: Building Public Trust.
Please give us your feedback on this ethics module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
MODULE 3
In this third module in the series retired Mahoning County Health Commissioner and 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health adjunct faculty member Patricia Sweeney reviews Ohio ethics laws related to revolving door employment after service as a public employee or member of a public board.
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
MODULE 4
In this fourth module in the series Drs. Diana Kingsbury and Enrico Gandolfi from the 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health discuss data visualization concepts and provide examples of their application to public health practice.
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
MODULE 5
In this fifth module in the series Deputy Health Commissioner Noah Stuby from Greene County Public Health discusses ratios and trend analysis as financial health indicators that local boards of health and health district financial management staff may use to monitor their organizations financial performance.
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
MODULE 6
In the sixth module in the series Drs. Diana Kingsbury and Tina Bhargava from the 91勛圖厙 College of Public Health discuss how to achieve health equity and eliminate health disparities in our communities with a focus on social determinants of health.
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
MODULE SERIES - The Role of the Local Board of Health in Food Protection - a REHS Conducts an Inspection of a Food Service Operation
In this series of short modules, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, microbiologist and Mahoning County Board of Health member Len Perry interviews Chef Anthony Hamilton, Chef Instructor in the Hospitality Management Program at Kent State, about the importance of food sanitation in restaurants and anyuwhere food is prepared. He then narrates his inspection of the teaching kitchen, focusing on different aspects of safe food handling practices.
SEGMENT #1
Introduction - Registered Environmental Health Specialist Len Perry interviews Chef Anthony Hamilton about the importance of food sanitation in restaurants and anywhere food is prepared.
SEGMENT #2
The Food Service Inspection
SEGMENT #3
The Importance of Handwashing and Safe Storage of Food and Equipment
SEGMENT #4
The Critical Importance of Safe Food Holding Temperatures
SEGMENT #5
Washing and Sanitizing Foood Contact Surfaces
SEGMENT #6
A Closer Look at Food Preparation Areas in the Commercial Kitchen
SEGMENT #7
A Look at Cooking Areas and Safe Food Sources in Food Service Operations
SEGMENT #8
More about Safe Food Holding Temperatures
SEGMENT #9
Debriefing the Food Sanitation Inspection with the Food Service Manager
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for future continuing education topics by responding to this short survey:
OTHER CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Webinar: Performance Management and the Oversight Role of Local Boards of Health
This July 16, 2020 session from the 2020 National Association of Local Boards of Health Conference explores how performance management can help your Board of Health provide effective oversight of health department programs, without getting into the weeds of operations.
In the first segment of this webinar (0:00-12:22), Ron Bialek, President & CEO of the Public Health Foundation, discusses performance management as one of the six functions of public health governance. In the second segment of the webinar (12:23-39:21), Dr. John Moran, a leading expert in public health performance management and quality improvement, describes how to build a performance management system in a health department.
View the webinar here:
Please give us your feedback on this module and suggestions for continuing edcuation topics by responding to this short survey:
GOVERNANCE ACTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
This training is a collaboration between the Region V (Michigan) Public Health Training Center and the Michigan Public Health Institute. The course is intended to equip new board of health members with a basic understanding of public health and provide them with practical suggestions for supporting the work of local public health agencies and their leadership. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and is divided into segments of about 15 minutes each.
Enroll Here:
We invite you to send questions or comments about these continuing education modules to Matthew Stefanak at mstefan2@kent.edu.