The learning objectives describe what you will gain by utilizing the learning activities and resources in

the learning resource toolkit.

Competency 1: Understand the role of assessment in public health. Learning Resources

Define the function of assessment within the context of the Core Functions and 10 Essential Public
Health Services.
Describe the context for assessment within the Washington State Public Health Improvement
Partnership (PHIP).
Discuss the local and state roles for assessment in meeting the Standards for Public Health in
Washington State.
Describe the roles and responsibilities most common to local community assessment in Washington
State.
Describe how assessment is used in your LHJ.

Competency 2: Engage, support and provide assistance on assessment and evaluation activities.
Learning Resources

Define your audience for technical assistance and consultation on assessment and evaluation
resources in your agency and community.
Explain the importance of creating an awareness of available assessment and evaluation resources in
your agency and community.

Describe how you would ensure data was interpreted appropriately during a community health
assessment or program evaluation.

Competency 3: Work effectively with diverse populations and communities on assessment and
evaluation activities. Learning Resources

Define the diversity in your community.
Describe how diverse perspectives can be integrated into community health assessment and
evaluation processes.
Define cultural competency.

Competency 4: Design community health assessments and evaluations using epidemiological principles
and basic research methods. Learning Resources

Define basic epidemiological principles.
Define the scope of an assessment/evaluation project.
Discuss when to use qualitative and/or quantitative data methodology.
Explain the importance of program evaluation in the current public health environment.
Define basic program evaluation terms.
Discuss different models and frameworks used in community health assessments involving
stakeholders.
Discuss the principles and procedures for protecting human subjects in evaluation and assessment
work.

Competency 5: Collect, obtain, abstract, analyze, and interpret data. Learning Resources

Identify, access and utilize key local, state and national data sources to help characterize a specific
public health problem or evaluate a public health service/program.
Identify and access data analysis guidelines for issues commonly encountered in community health
assessment practice.
Identify tools and techniques for developing, gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative
data.
Identify gaps in the data sources commonly used.
Identify issues impacting the quality and comparability of data.
Calculate and interpret from qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Discuss the principles and procedures for protecting human subjects in evaluation and assessment
work.
Identify and access federal and state confidentiality laws and regulations, and local policies and
procedures that implement these requirements.

Competency 6: Organize, prepare, display and present data. Learning Resources

Understanding how to target your presentation and information for specific audiences.
Identify, access and utilize resources, tools and techniques for communicating with data.
Describe various formats and methods to use for preparing and displaying data and when to use
them.
Describe the skills and knowledge needed for interaction with the media.

Competency 7: Obtain and evaluate published information to inform public health decisions. Learning
Resources

Identify resources to access literature and data relevant to a particular public health issue.
Describe where to go for information.
Apply scientific principles to evaluate strengths and limitations of published information.

Competency 8: Provide and incorporate assessment and evaluation findings into public health planning
and policy decisions. Learning Resources

Define evidence-based decision-making.
Discuss how assessment and evaluation findings are currently used in your LHJ and community in local
decision-making about public health issues.
Describe the role of assessment in public health planning and policy development.
Identify leadership skills to advocate for the use of data in program planning and policy development.

Competency 9: Engage in ongoing professional knowledge and skill development. Learning Resources
Identify professional activities and resources (including written references and human contacts) to
support and expand assessment and evaluation knowledge and skills.
Participate in peer mentoring activities.
Participate in networking opportunities.