Connecting academia to the practice community is vital for not only Indiana MAPHTC, but the state as well.  Indiana only has 46 public health works per 100,000 people, compared to 138 per 100,000 nationally.  Approximately 75% of the public health workforce lacks formal education in public health.  In addition, 18% of Indiana’s counties are designated as Health Professions Shortage Areas.   Because of the state of public health in Indiana and limited resources, IN MAPHTC determined the organizational goal of IN MAPHTC is to provide meaningful, relevant continuing education opportunities in order to enhance the ability of Indiana’s public health professionals to adapt in a constantly changing environment.  One avenue to deliver education and networking is this website.  Our goals for this site are:

1. Offer a portfolio of educational options to public health professionals using a variety of training modalities, including distance learning technologies.

2. Serve as a vehicle for collaboration among Indiana's public and private agencies and professionals to enhance shared knowledge and cooperation.

3. Improve Indiana's public health infrastructure by providing a focus through which agencies can share and maximize resources.

4. Continuously monitor and analyze the current state of public health in Indiana and proactively create programs and disseminate information to prepare public health professionals to meet current challenges.

IN MAPHTC provides continuing education to everyone interested in the important issues of public health. In a national effort to build competencies and improve capacity, courses and activities help participants improve their knowledge and skill in public health.  Learners have the opportunity to assess levels of competency, develop an education plan, and access competency-based courses to improve professional development.    A key element of accomplishing this goal is to work with new and existing partners in order to establish common goals, objectives, and dissemination channels.

This new online website/portal focuses on meeting education and training needs; fostering collaboration among organizations and academia; and improve the infrastructure of public health entities in Indiana.  Potential functions include a knowledge and research database, discussion boards, searchable database of Indiana public health organizations, survey and needs assessment applications, and informal learning tools such as blogs and podcasts.   Objectives to accomplish this include:

Objective #1: Develop online tools to foster collaboration and partnership among public health entities in Indiana.

·         Identify appropriate mechanisms to build a user-friendly online experience. 

·         Conduct a needs assessment/survey among our partners to direct development and future enhancements.

Objective #2:  Improve public health research landscape in Indiana by connecting academia to the practice community and government through online technology.

·         Promote existing, current, and potential research outcomes and opportunities among the public health community.

·         Facilitate communication between research and practice communities, enabling academia to better serve and understand the practice communities’ needs.

Objective #3:  Develop and promote learning opportunities for all public health professionals.

• Manage a repository of all educational opportunities open to the public health workforce, including IN MAPHTC programs, on the new portal. 
• Develop and facilitate informal learning opportunities, such as monthly podcasts, blogs, broadcasts, and featured articles.

To truly build this collaborative system, organizations, agencies, and individuals are welcome to submit ideas, content, and exchanges to the webmaster or through the online forms.

Connect.  Learn.  Act.