Association of Accredited Public Health Programs

1. Welcome – Dan Bibeau, University of North Carolina Greensboro
2. Address - Lawrence W. Green, University of California at San Francisco, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
   
1. If we want more evidence-based practice, we need more practice-based evidence.
   
2. There is a gap between science and practice. Participatory approaches are important. We must engage communities more in the research enterprise. Academics must not decide what is to be researched. Communities need to be engaged (CBPR). This will ensure we get a better product. Look for ways to ensure students connect with this understanding. Students should be out in the field working on problems.
   
3. Should we continue calling what we do “research?” Research is for program improvement. We should consider making “evaluation” a core course rather than “research.”
   
4. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is funding Practice-based Research Networks. This initiative would be a good opportunity for programs.
   
5. Regarding the interest in “impact factors,” we need a alternative that measures social/policy impact.
   
3. CEPH Updates – Mollie Mulvanity
   
1. Criteria revisions – CEPH needs input on the criteria. There will not be radical changes but they are looking for feedback.
   
2. The survey link on their website is the best venue for providing feedback. Mollie can take feedback from CAMP.
   
3. CEPH is willing to send CAMP data from annual reports that pertains to programs. CAMP can aggregate this data and report.
   
4. 501(c)3 Status & CAMP Going Forward to Meet Program Needs – Delegate Discussion
   
1. Dan Bibeau announced the achievement of 501(c)3 status.
   
2. Past Successes: Executive committee and CAMP representatives have gotten programs on the National Public Health Agenda by representing them on the Council of Linkages, at the Kellogg Conference on how public health programs will link with communities and CAMP was invited by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) to comment on the proposed criteria for continuing education credit for Certified in Public Health professionals.
   
3. Moving Forward: We need information from Programs to help us know where CAMP is going. CAMP needs more visibility. When meeting with federal organizations, make sure to let them know that you are representing CAMP in addition to your program. There may be some opportunities for CAMP to work with the CDC. For example, the CDC has conference and meeting grants that CAMP could apply for – there are some restrictions on these. Need to write a proposal, using the language of the new director (macro level, systems, and policy). Our 501(c)3 status allows us the opportunity to compete for cooperative agreements. There is a new opportunity that we may be interested in pursuing – the RFA is not out yet. And NAACHO is interested in working with CAMP and programs to link with community health departments fund initiatives.
   
4. Need to start a dialog (create a road map) of how CAMP can best serve programs that is most beneficial and possible.
   
5. All positions on Executive Board are up for election at the end of the year. If interested please contact Michelle Cathorall. Descriptions of the Executive Board positions can be found in article 3 of the by laws on the CAMP website.
   
6. It was mentioned that in the near future ways for CAMP to generate money would need to be discussed. Possibilities include membership fees, cooperative agreements, and continuing education units.
   
5. Evaluation and Assessment Webinar
   
1. Based on a survey of the CAMP members, one of the main areas of the accreditation process that programs need the most assistance with is program evaluation and assessment.
   
2. Based on this, Ed Mamary and Lynn Woodhouse will be having a free interactive Webinar via Elluminate on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

Council of Accredited MPH Programs
c/o UNCG
437 HHP Bldg., Walker Ave.
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402
P: (336)334-9743 F: (336) 334-3238
info@mphprograms.org