Core Activities of Learning (CAL’s)
Domains
Analytical/Assessment Skills
Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
Communication Skills
Cultural Humility Skills
Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
Public Health Sciences Skills
Financial Planning and Management Skills
Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
Competency Area: Analytical/Assessment Skills (AA)
● Specific Competency A: Assess the health status of populations and their related determinants of health and illness.
○ Example Activity 1: Conduct a statewide or community-based population health survey.
○ Example Activity 2: Develop a needs assessment on a health problem to identify gaps (e.g., social environment or health service gaps) in a specific community.
● Specific Competency B: Describe the characteristics of a population-based health problem.
○ Example Activity 1: Utilize data in combination with literature review to analyze and describe the epidemiological and/or political characteristics of a population based health problem.
○ Example Activity 2: Utilize data in combination with literature review to discern the key determinants (e.g., physical environment, healthcare access/quality, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors) of a population based health problem.
● Specific Competency C: Use methods and instruments to collect and analyze valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data.
○ Example Activity 1: Identify and utilize valid instruments and methods to collect analyzable data.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate in the development or refinement of a statewide data system (e.g., WEDDS).
○ Example Activity 3: Analyze data from a statewide population-based or surveillance database.
○ Example Activity 4: Gain skills in use of GIS, EPI INFO, SAS and Microsoft Access.
● Specific Competency D: Employ ethical principles in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.
○ Example Activity 1: Complete human subjects training through the University of Wisconsin-Madison Institutional Review Board (IRB).
○ Example Activity 2: Complete an IRB application for a research project.
○ Example Activity 3: Assess a public health program that collects, maintains, uses and disseminates data from the perspective of the 12 “Principles of Ethical Public Health Practice” (published by the Public Health Leadership Society: www.phls.org).
● Specific Competency E: Use data to address scientific, political, ethical and social public health issues.
○ Example Activity 1: Utilize survey, community needs assessment, or other data to develop a report with recommendations for local or state policymakers or officials.
○ Example Activity 2: Perform a health impact assessment.
○ Example Activity 3: Assess a public health program, policy, or organization from the perspective of the 12 “Principles of Ethical Public Health Practice” (published by the Public Health Leadership Society).
Competency Area: Policy Development/Program Planning Skills (PD/PP)
● Specific Competency A: Analyze information, policy options and/or implications relevant to specific public health policy issues
○ Example Activity 1: Prepare an analysis of a legislative bill and monitor the bill’s progress.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate in the process of drafting an Administrative Rule.
○ Example Activity 3: Prepare a fiscal analysis of a public health issue.
○ Example Activity 4: Monitor and report on the progress of public health initiative that is included in a state biennial budget.
● Specific Competency B: Develop plans to implement policies and programs.
○ Example Activity 1: Participate in the development of plans to implement the state health plan.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate in planning for state health care reform implementation.
○ Example Activity 3: Participate in planning to implement a local public health policy or program.
● Specific Competency C: Develop mechanisms to monitor and evaluate programs for their effectiveness and quality.
○ Example Activity 1: Apply quality improvement tools to the evaluation of a local or state public health program.
○ Example Activity 2: Observe operations in a public health clinical setting and develop plans for improving workflow and quality
○ Example Activity 3: Participate in and contribute to a complete Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle in an existing quality improvement program.
Competency Area: Communication Skills (Comm)
● Specific Competency A: Communicate in writing, orally, in person and through electronic means, with linguistic and cultural proficiency.
○ Example Activity 1: Make an oral presentation to a professional group.
○ Example Activity 2: Make an oral presentation to a community group.
○ Example Activity 3: Prepare and present a poster at a professional conference.
○ Example Activity 4: Prepare and disseminate a written report on a policy or program to a community group.
● Specific Competency B: Use a variety of approaches to disseminate public health information.
○ Example Activity 1: Use old media (e.g., letter to the editor, op-ed, TV or magazine interview) or new media (e.g., blogs, social networking tools) to communicate public health information.
○ Example Activity 2: Design and contribute materials/information for a public health website.
○ Example Activity 3: Develop a continuing education module for public health professionals using current distance learning technologies.
○ Example Activity 4: Develop and disseminate public health information to health care providers.
● Specific Competency C: Present demographic, statistical, programmatic and/or scientific information for use by lay and professional audiences.
○ Example Activity 1: Write a Population Health Institute Issue Brief.
○ Example Activity 2: Incorporate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and/or scientific information into presentations, reports or other professional communications.
● Specific Competency D: Apply communication and group dynamic strategies in interactions with individuals and groups.
○ Example Activity 1: Serve as facilitator in a community-based or professional meeting.
○ Example Activity 2: Test different tools to enhance group decision-making in an ongoing meeting setting.
○ Example Activity 3: Train colleagues and partners in active listening techniques to improve their professional communication skills.
Competency Area: Cultural Humility Skills
● Specific Competency A: Employ strategies for working collaboratively with persons from diverse backgrounds.
○ Example Activity 1: Review best practices for organizational cultural humility and apply practices in an organization.
○ Example Activity 2: Complete a public health project in a community outside of the primary placement setting.
● Specific Competency B: Incorporate diverse perspectives and consider the role of cultural and social factors in the development and implementation of public health programs and policies.
○ Example Activity 1: Facilitate an inclusive focus group to take into consideration diverse perspectives, interests, and values in the planning and implementation of a public health program.
○ Example Activity 2: Write a program implementation plan that incorporates cultural and social factors (including gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, professional or religious affiliation, mental and physical capabilities, class, education, and other socioeconomic factors).
● Specific Competency C: Evaluate the effects of public health policies and programs on different populations in a community.
○ Example Activity 1: Develop a users’ survey to assess perceived cultural humility of a public health program.
○ Example Activity 2: Evaluate a specific public health program or policy in a community or clinical setting from the point of view of its cultural and social accessibility and acceptability.
● Specific Competency D: Advocate for those most impacted by health inequities in programs and policies.
○ Example Activity 1: Contribute an opinion editorial to a local newspaper or magazine that discusses the root causes of a health inequity or programmatic or policy initiatives that address health inequity.
○ Example Activity 2: Write recommendations for organizational programs and policies to address health inequities.
Competency Area: Community Dimensions of Practice Skills (CDP)
● Specific Competency A: Collaborate in Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) efforts.
○ Example Activity 1: Conduct a public health assessment in collaboration with community partners and/or affected community members.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate in an existing CBPR project.
○ Example Activity 3: Assist in the development of a new CBPR project.
● Specific Competency B: Facilitate collaboration and partnerships to ensure participation of key stakeholders.
○ Example Activity 1: Organize a public meeting or event with key partners and stakeholders.
○ Example Activity 2: Work with a local community on a multi-sectoral action plan in response to the results of the annual County Health Rankings or other public health report.
● Specific Competency C: Use community input when developing public health policies and programs.
○ Example Activity 1: Participate in a community-based strategic planning process on a public health issue.
○ Example Activity 2: Develop a survey or key informant interview plan to obtain community input during the planning or the evaluation process of a public health policy or programmatic intervention.
Competency Area: Public Health Sciences Skills (PHS)
● Specific Competency A: Apply the basic public health sciences to public health policies and programs.
○ Example Activity 1: Participate substantially in an outbreak/field investigation.
○ Example Activity 2: Prepare an epidemiologically based analysis of an investigation.
● Specific Competency B: Conduct a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence related to a public health issue, concern or intervention.
○ Example Activity 1: Conduct an in-depth literature review on a public health concern.
○ Example Activity 2: Prepare a report on a public health issue that includes the perspective of each core area of public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, social/behavioral health, and public health policy & administration.
● Specific Competency C: Contribute to building the scientific base of public health.
○ Example Activity 1: Submit a paper to a peer-reviewed journal.
○ Example Activity 2: Contribute additions or suggested changes to the UW Population Health Institute “What Works Database” http://WhatWorksforHealth.wisc.edu/
○ Example Activity 3: Serve as a peer reviewer for a public health journal.
Competency Area: Financial Planning and Management Skills (FPM)
● Specific Competency A: Prepare proposals for funding, including developing a programmatic budget.
○ Example Activity 1: Contribute substantially to the budget section of a grant proposal.
○ Example Activity 2: Write a work plan with specific goals and objectives as part of a funding proposal.
○ Example Activity 3: Participate in the process of reviewing grant proposals.
○ Example Activity 4: Participate in preparing, negotiating and implementing a contract with a local agency.
● Specific Competency B: Evaluate program performance.
○ Example Activity 1: Review program evaluation plans and make recommendations for improvement.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate in conducting a contract monitoring or other evaluative site visit.
● Specific Competency C: Use cost-effectiveness, cost benefit, and/or cost-utility analyses in programmatic prioritization and decision making.
○ Example Activity 1: Describe cost implications of different health insurance exchange options and make recommendations for prioritization of program options.
○ Example Activity 2: Assess the cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or cost-utility of an existing or a proposed public health program or policy.
○ Example Activity 3: Conduct a Health Impact Assessment on an existing or proposed program or policy.
Competency Area: Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills (LST)
● Specific Competency A: Participate with stakeholders in identifying key values and a shared vision as guiding principles for community action.
○ Example Activity 1: Prepare and facilitate a group visioning process in the development of a public health program or policy.
○ Example Activity 2: Apply asset-based community development or appreciative inquiry principles to the development of a community action plan.
○ Example Activity 3: Participate in meetings of state or regional public health professionals or organizations (e.g. WPHA, WALHDAB).
● Specific Competency B: Incorporate systems thinking into public health practice.
○ Example Activity 1: Apply the social ecological model of health to program or policy planning.
○ Example Activity 2: Conduct a root-cause analysis of a public health problem.
● Specific Competency C: Promote individual, team and organizational learning opportunities.
○ Example Activity 1: Plan and facilitate one Fellowship monthly meeting annually.
○ Example Activity 2: Participate on a hiring, resume screening and/or interview panel.
○ Example Activity 3: Develop recommendations for other Fellows on how to prepare for the application/interview process.
○ Example Activity 4: Collaborate on a learning activity of the Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute.
○ Example Activity 5: Develop and implement a public health continuing education module.