The Changing Face of Preparedness: Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity for Disaster Response

EXTENSION - DUE BY September 12, 2008, 11:59pm Eastern Time

Welcome to the session submission process for the 2009 Public Health Preparedness Summit!

This year's Summit Planning Committee invites public health, emergency management, and other professionals across the country to showcase and share their best practice training models, tools, or other resources that advance the field of public health preparedness. Where possible, we would like to see models and tools that show proven results in building and sustaining public health preparedness at the local, state, or national level. Summit sessions will be focused on addressing critical priority areas in the field and include such topics as:

• All-Hazards Preparedness
• Vulnerable/At-Risk Populations Preparedness
• Individual/Workforce Preparedness (including the use of Volunteers)
• Innovative Planning and Response Tools (including innovations in surveillance/laboratory technology)
• Field Operations and Laboratory Preparedness
• Preparedness Performance Standards
• Training and Education Models
• Creative Solutions to Dispensing Medical Countermeasures
• Partnering with Community and Business Groups
• Ethical Issues in Preparedness and Response
• Addressing Legal Authorities & Legal Preparedness Challenges
• Building and Sustaining Critical Infrastructure and Continuity of Operations
• Risk Communications

This year's Summit sessions will be divided into 4 categories: 

• Posters: This format will be used to display innovative practices and award winning programs, share documents, exchange ideas, and ask questions. Posters will be displayed during the opening hours of the Exhibit Hall and during evening receptions at which poster presenters will be asked to be available to answer questions about the material displayed. (NOTE: CE forms will not be required for poster submissions)

• Roundtable Discussions: These sessions are 45 minutes in length and are designed to be informal, interactive, question and answer sessions on a specific topic or issue. They may include feedback on programmatic ideas or be devoted to developing action agendas or policy statements. (NOTE: CE forms will not be required for rountable discussion submissions)

• Interactive Sessions: These sessions are 90 minutes in length and are designed to be highly interactive, produce identifiable outcomes (i.e., enhance knowledge, build skills, shape attitudes/beliefs), and focus on engaging participants. Interactive sessions will be limited to a maximum of 3 presenters. (NOTE: CE forms WILL BE required for interactive session submission, see instructions below)

• Workshops: These sessions can be 2 hours, 4 hours, or 8 hours in length and are designed to be highly interactive, produce identifiable outcomes, and encourage development or change in public health practice or policy.(NOTE: CE forms WILL BE required for interactive session submission, see instructions below)

Submission Application Process

1. Please read the instructions below in their entirety before you continue on to complete the Summit Application form. All application submissions are due no later than September 12, 2008 by 11:59pm Eastern Time.

2. The application you are about to complete is separated into 3 pages (Steps) and must be completed all in one sitting as you will not be able to save or partially submit information. As you complete each page, please hit the Submit button at the bottom of each page to proceed to the next Step. Please note that the application includes a number of required fields. All required fields are indicated in BOLD type. Failure to complete your application or any of the required fields will result in elimination from the overall review and selection process.

3. In addition to the application, all presenters SUBMITTING ABSTRACTS FOR AN INTERACTIVE SESSION OR WORKSHOP will be required to complete additional forms that will be subsequently submitted to the Centers for Disease Control so that each session can be evaluated as to whether it is eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEU). In an effort to streamline the CEU registration process, we are requesting that all applicants complete the required CEU forms and upload them with their completed application. Failure to upload the required forms will result in the elimination of the application in the review process.To complete and prepare these forms for uploading, please follow the instructions below:

a) Biographical Sketch form: All areas (contact information, educational and professional backgrounds) are required by the accreditors. Please click here and you will be directed to the form. Once the form is open, complete the form in its entirety and then save the form to your desktop or other location on your computer. Please remember where you saved it as you will need to retrieve the form during the last step of the application process.

b) Conflict of Interest form: This form is used to disclose any financial relationships you may have with commercial interests to conference attendees. While this type of conflict is not typically relevant to our presenters, it is a standard requirement for the bodies which award credit toward continuing medical and nursing education. Please click here and you will be directed to the form. Once the form is open, complete the form in its entirety and then save the form to your desktop or other location on your computer. Please remember where you saved it as you will need to retrieve the form during the last step of the application process. NOTE: The signature on the COI form may be completed by simply typing your name—no electronic signatures or printing is necessary.

Please Note: It is recommended that you complete the above forms prior to starting the Summit Session Application form.

4. Please click here to complete the remainder of the Submission Application

Summit Planning Committee members will review all applications and notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent to the Session Contact Person by close of business on October 10, 2008.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Committee Chair, Jack Herrmann, at (202) 507-4228 or by email at jherrmann@naccho.org

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Summit!