Training
The Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC) strengthens public health and community capacity through free training on a variety of topics including health promotion, community assessment, program evaluation, grant-writing, health literacy, and using evidence-based approaches.
Learning Collaborative
The Learning Collaborative is a virtual learning and peer-exchange initiative designed to strengthen prevention research and evidence-based public health practice among faculty, students, health departments, health systems, and community organizations across Georgia and beyond. Designed with the guidance of a workgroup of community public health leaders and informed by interviews and a survey to determine the most salient training needs of our community partners, the EPRC Learning Collaborative launched in April 2026.
Through expert presentations, peer learning, and practical skill-building opportunities, participants explore current topics in public health practice, program implementation, and community engagement. The collaborative supports the exchange of knowledge, tools, and experiences that can help organizations design, implement, and evaluate effective prevention initiatives and partnerships. Participants leave with practical strategies, resources, and valuable new connections.
Assessing Community Health Needs
The Emory Prevention Research Center hosted a two-part training series in collaboration with the Healthy Nonprofit Network on Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs).
Part 1: Framing & Methods – part 1 was a step-by-step “how-to” training, Assessing Community Health Needs: Frameworks & Methods, led by EPRC Associate Director Dr. Cam Escoffery. Participants learned how to identify community assets and priority health needs, access and interpret reliable local and regional health data, and apply practical assessment tools to support program planning, partnerships, and grant development. We’re pleased to share the training materials so you can explore these concepts and adapt them to your own community health assessment efforts.
Learning Objectives
• Identify community assets and needs
• Learn the key phases of the community assessment process
• Discover reliable local health data sources
• Explore practical tools and methods to apply in your work
Part 2: From Date to Action – the second session featured Dr. Jennifer Williams, Chief Community Engagement and Health Impact Officer for Phoebe Putney Health System in Southwest Georgia. Drawing on her experience leading CHNAs across a 42-county service area, Dr. Williams shared practical lessons for community-based organizations looking to better understand and respond to local needs.
Learning Objectives
• Identify community health data sources and assessment tools
• Discuss strategies for adapting assessments in the current climate
• Explore approaches for communicating findings to diverse audiences
• Engage in peer discussion and breakout learning activities
• Gain insights from a community health systems perspective
Planning for Community Health through High Impact Strategies
Part 1 – Most of what influences our health happens outside of a doctor’s office. The places where we live, work, learn, and play. And the conditions in those places shape health and well-being. This informational webinar focused on practical, evidence-based strategies for strengthening communities and improving health for all.
Learning Objectives
• Discuss non-medical factors of health
• Define policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes
• Locate authoritative resources for PSE change
• Learn phases for making PSE change
• Apply the key phases of the PSE change process from assessment and planning through implementation and evaluation
Planning for Community Health through High Impact Strategies
Please enjoy the recording from part 1 of the training series and don't forget to utilize the worksheet and resources document listed above.
Selected Past Trainings
Prior to the Learning Collaborative, the EPRC held additional online trainings throughout various funding cycles. Feel free to explore the couple of trainings that are listed below.
*Recordings unavailable
Health Literacy
This 1.5-hour webinar provides an introduction and overview of health literacy. Through the webinar participants learn how to: describe health literacy and how it impacts public health, identify barriers to comprehension of health information, and demonstrate effective oral communication using plain language. The strategies and skills presented in this workshop can be applied in any organization, community agency, or government entity that facilitates health communication messaging and services.
This 1.5-hour webinar focuses on non-verbal health communication and the importance of visually literate materials. Through the webinar participants learn how to: describe components of effective written communication, develop visually literate health education materials, and identify technology and resources to improve communication. The strategies and skills presented in this workshop can be applied in any organization, community agency, or government entity that facilitates health communication messaging and services.
This 1.5-hour webinar highlights the important role that visual materials and infographics play in communicating health information. Through the webinar participants learn how to: discuss the elements of an effective infographic, create informative data visualizations, and describe user-friendly infographic software. The strategies and skills presented in this workshop can be applied in any organization, community agency, or government entity that facilitates health communication messaging and services.
Social Determinants of Health
Part 1 of the series covers social determinants of health (SDH) definitions, benefits of focusing on SDH, various frameworks and models of SDH, and tools and surveys to assess SDH/needs in your community.
Part 2 of the series includes strategies to address the social determinants of health (SDH) in your community, including collecting SDH data in your community, partnering with other agencies and sectors, advocacy, and national guidance on addressing SDH in your organization.
Part 3 of the series presents categories of social determinants of health and web resources for collecting the social determinants of health (SDH) related data for your community, including the U.S. Census, County Health Rankings, and others sources.
