Workforce Development

Two researchers in a lab

CAPTC is highly engaged in health workforce development initiatives. We create trainings and activities aimed at improving the skills, knowledge, and capacity of healthcare professionals to meet the changing needs of the healthcare system and deliver high-quality care. This includes training programs, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. Our goal is to ensure a skilled and prepared healthcare workforce capable of providing effective care.

Foundations of Public Health in California (CDPH)

CAPTC supports the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in fulfilling a long-standing need for a basic public health course for all CDPH staff. Some local health department (LHD) staff will be eligible to take this course as well. This course consists of two modules that introduce public health in California followed by 9 modules dedicated to the public health domain competency areas developed by CDPH. The course will be available on-demand for staff to access at their convenience. All trainings developed under this project will be highly interactive and engaging for learners. The goal of this program is to assure all new and existing CDPH staff share a common understanding of public health in general and, more specifically, how it is organized in California.

Enhancing the Capacity of Disease Intervention Staff in California 

Funded by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Center for Infectious Diseases, CAPTC provides training and technical assistance to California DIS to build and enhance capacity in California’s local health jurisdictions. Program activities include: 

  • Essential Interviewing Skills for Disease Intervention (EISDI): A comprehensive training series delivered in complementary sessions of asynchronous and synchronous modules. It equips DIS with essential skills to effectively conduct interviews in disease intervention.  
  • Epidemiology 101: Provides public health workers in California with a foundational understanding of how epidemiology integrates into public health. Participants learn systematic approaches to disease control and explore the role of surveillance in public health. 
  • Disease Intervention for COVID-19 Asynchronous Courses: Series developed through a collaboration between CDPH, CAPTC, and the Virtual Training Academy (VTA) to train and support contact investigators and contact tracers.  

Previously, CDPH Office of AIDS and STD Control Branch funded CAPTC to provide training and technical assistance supporting the Ending the Epidemic initiative in California. Programs included the DIS Summit which brought together expert speakers on the foundational role DIS play in public health (view 2023 and 2020 recordings); Workforce Development Collaboratives for frontline workers and supervisors on emerging topics; and skills-based courses

International Work

CAPTC has extensive in-person and virtual experience providing training support, technical assistance, capacity building, and mentorship to international partners from Southeast Asia to Africa. Topics include self-disclosure, mental healthcare, case investigation, development of implementation materials (e.g., SOPs, job aids, curricula), and training programs for foreign governmental public health authorities. We tailor our trainings to the client’s specific needs and cultural context.