Pursuing quality training and resource optimization is both vital and complex for state and territorial health departments. The interplay of intensifying public health emergencies and the evolving landscape of public health demands robust and adaptable training programs. Yet, these departments frequently encounter considerable challenges, such as time constraints, limited bandwidth, and training effectiveness, which can complicate this process.
In the face of these challenges, it is important to recognize that state and territorial health departments do not stand alone. Their counterparts’ shared experiences in different jurisdictions or sectors can serve as invaluable lessons. These collective narratives shed light on common challenges, highlight successful strategies, and, most importantly, spark solutions. Training and resource optimization should not be viewed as a mere logistical exercise but as a transformative journey encompassing changes in workforce development, innovative training methodologies, and operational modifications to maximize resource use.
By sharing experiences and learning from each other, state and territorial health departments can turn challenges into growth opportunities, ensuring their training programs and resource management remain agile, resilient, and suitably equipped to meet the dynamic needs of public health emergencies.
As public health professionals strive to navigate an increasingly complex landscape, they confront a myriad of challenges related to training and resource optimization. A dynamic combination of factors contributes to these hurdles, often hindering training initiatives’ effectiveness and public health workforce preparedness. From time constraints to logistical complications, these issues underscore the urgent need for innovative and efficient training strategies that can adapt to the evolving public health sphere.
Common contributing factors to these challenges include:
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Time constraints: The lack of adequate time to attend training often stems from understaffing and role juggling, which restricts professionals from fully committing to educational programs.
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Bandwidth limitations: Limited organizational capacity can keep staff from identifying training needs, coordinating and scheduling training offerings, and providing resources and support to reinforce training.
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Quality of training: The inefficiency and ineffectiveness of available training can lead to a lack of “stickiness,” meaning the knowledge or skills are not easily retained or applicable in real-world situations.
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Cross-training efficiency: There are also concerns regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of cross-training for crosscutting knowledge, skills, and abilities. This can lead to gaps in multidisciplinary knowledge and hinder collaboration within the public health sector.
This section highlights a successful and innovative solution your peers implemented to address challenges with the availability of high-quality training. This story presents the factors that catalyzed the innovation, the existing policies or funding mechanisms that facilitated action, the potential barriers the agency faced, the collaborations and partnerships the agency leveraged, and tips for implementing and/or scaling the solution.
Empowering the Next Generation of EMS: An Exploration of Louisiana’s Jump Start High School Program
Introduction
In recent years, an increase in the frequency and severity of public health emergencies has underscored the critical importance of a skilled and prepared emergency medical services (EMS) workforce. Recognizing this urgent need, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) launched the EMS Pathway as part of its Jump Start program in 2015. The Jump Start program aligns Louisiana’s career and technical education strategies with its economic development goals. By harnessing the power of public-private partnerships, regional teams—consisting of K-12 educators, postsecondary institutions, and industry representatives—collaborate to establish course pathways in high-demand fields, including EMS. Students of varying academic levels and backgrounds can pursue these Jump Start pathways as electives, gaining career and technical education skills, academic credits, and career credentials.
The Jump Start EMS pathway has successfully improved EMS training quality and nurtured a highly skilled workforce capable of effectively responding to public health emergencies. Through strategic collaborations and planning, the initiative has overcome challenges and significantly impacted Louisiana’s emergency response capabilities. As of 2019, over 110 high schools had hosted emergency medical responder (EMR) programs, which equip students to provide immediate life-saving care until a trained EMS provider arrives. Over 2,000 students earned a state-issued EMR license in the 2018-2019 academic year, and an additional 97 students completed EMS coursework in 2019, earning National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certifications.
Policies and Funding
Upon approval from the Louisiana Workforce Commission and LDOE, regional teams—composed of local education agencies, postsecondary institutions, and local industry representatives—are eligible to receive funding from both federal and state sources. The primary funding sources include the federal Carl D. Perkins grants, designed to provide financial assistance for career and technical education programs. These Perkins grants were specifically allocated to support the Jump Start program’s launch and implementation in 2015. Schools may also apply for additional funds through the Minimum Foundation Program, which allocates block grants to districts meeting certain requirements. In addition, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education funds training program providers through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance’s TOPS Tech Early Start Award program. It offers up to $600 per academic year per eligible student. Further, industry partnerships have contributed significant funding and expertise to the Jump Start program. From 2017-2019, JP Morgan Chase’s New Skills for Youth initiative provided $1.95 million in 3-year grants to the state and technical assistance support, expanding training capacity and promoting programmatic innovations.
Challenges and Barriers
Implementing a comprehensive initiative like the EMS Pathway has presented the following challenges:
- Relevancy of program guidelines: The Bureau of EMS (BEMS) assembled an advisory task force to provide clearer guidance to participating high schools. Since 2018, they have developed and annually updated a guidance document, ensuring all implementing schools have current and relevant knowledge.
- Compliance with statutes and program guidelines: BEMS monitors high schools using the statewide Information Management System (IMS) and through in-person site visits and audits to ensure compliance. Schools must submit the required documentation to the IMS before approval.
- Quality of EMR/EMS training instructors: LDOE partnered with the National EMS Academy to provide summer training for high school teachers, ensuring quality instruction for students. All instructors are monitored to maintain their National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification and state licensure.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The success of the EMS pathway owes largely to the collaborations and partnerships established during its implementation.
Louisiana Bureau of EMS: The ongoing partnership between BEMS and the state DOE has been critical, allowing for policy collaboration, the development of appropriate incentives, and high-quality training support.
Industry experts and sponsors: Industry representatives have provided crucial funding, valuable technical assistance, and insights into skills gaps in their workforces.
Tips for Implementing and Scaling
The following are recommendations based on Louisiana’s experience:
- Identify the need for more EMS professionals: An LDOE evaluation revealed certain schools with stronger EMR and EMS programs. The DOE has identified these as target schools. Additionally, rural ambulance agencies, fire departments, and the petroleum industry were recognized as sectors needing more licensed EMR and EMS personnel.
- Develop incentives for EMS training programs: BEMS and LDOE provide incentives for both students and schools to generate interest. Graduates from the EMS pathway can receive a state license at no cost. Schools hosting the pathway earn additional credits toward their School Performance Scores when students receive their license.
APPLYING THIS KNOWLEDGE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASE
A program like Jump Start EMS applies to and benefits the field of infectious disease in the following ways:
- Emergency response training: The hands-on, practical training provided through the EMS program could be directly applied to managing infectious disease outbreaks. EMS responders trained in infectious disease control can be on the frontlines during outbreaks, providing immediate care and helping to mitigate the spread of the disease.
- Education and awareness: Incorporating infectious disease modules into the EMS curriculum could raise awareness about the importance of infectious disease prevention, control, and treatment. This can lead to increased community resilience during outbreaks and more informed decision-making regarding public health.
- Early disease detection and surveillance: EMS workers often serve as the first point of contact for individuals with health emergencies. With appropriate training, they can serve a crucial role in the early detection and surveillance of infectious diseases by reporting unusual or increased numbers of specific symptoms in the communities they serve.
- Patient isolation and transport: EMS professionals are often responsible for the transport of patients. Training in infectious disease protocols would enable safer transportation of infectious patients, preventing further disease spread.
- Vaccination efforts: EMS personnel could be trained to administer vaccines during large-scale vaccination efforts. This could significantly improve the speed and efficiency of such programs, especially in rural or underserved areas.
- Public-private partnerships: Communities could leverage the relationships formed between education providers and industry during infectious disease outbreaks. For example, private sector partners could provide additional resources such as PPE, equipment, or funding during an outbreak.
- Regional approach: Different regions may face different infectious disease challenges. A regional approach allows for a more targeted response, whether dealing with more prevalent diseases in certain areas or tailoring education and awareness programs to a specific region's needs.
- Pathway for specialization: The EMS program could offer a pathway for students interested in specializing in infectious diseases. This could increase the number of healthcare professionals with expertise in infectious diseases, better preparing the healthcare system for future outbreaks.
This section encompasses a collection of pertinent tools and resources curated from ASTHO's Public Health Innovations Catalog and various other sources to help you navigate and comprehend the intricacies of this subject area. Garner insights and experiences from your peers, enabling you to start building solutions tailored to your health department.
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