Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:59:47 -0400

From: KDG Consulting <kdgconsulting@VERIZON.NET>

Subject: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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Greetings, colleagues!

I hope you are having a great summer.

Having just read the latest issue of SOPHE's News & Views, I am moved to (1) write and state my observation of the state of program accreditation so far,

(2) to ask for clarification if I am mistaken and (3) to urge all health educators, not just professional preparation program people to participate in this important dialogue about the accreditation of health education programs. I welcome the opportunity to participate in the dialogue as an individual professional and on behalf of community colleges who have so much to offer in recruiting future health educators and providing introductions to second careers for current health workers.

AAHE and SOPHE coordinated a major congress in Dallas, Feb. 23-25, to discuss the issue. Many of our esteemed friends and colleagues have put in many long hours on conceptualizing program accreditation and keeping the profession aware of the work being done. I was honored to attend as a representative of a community college - the potential launch-pad for so many health careers.

My position and concerns: Let me state right up front that I am torn on this subject: I want to support any movement that improves the quality of the performance of our practitioners and I am a very strong admirer of the health education leaders at the forefront of this movement.. That said, I am also concerned about whether this movement reflects the desires of the whole profession, and I'm concerned about the cost to the profession. I worry about what will happen to certification if only graduates of accredited programs are eligible. I worry about creating a gap between accredited and noncredited program personnel, their graduates, and potential employers? Will it unite us, or will accreditation divide us further? If accreditation is achieved through CEPH, won't all programs in health education preparation need to meet the public health focus requirements? If that's the case, I worry about programs rooted in colleges of education.

That said, here's my observation:

The Coalition for National Health Education Organizations has approved and supports the findings of the CUP Report.

I do not believe that that coalition - whose members include all - is it nine? - of our national health education organizations has approved and unanimously supports the idea of accreditation.

It seems to me that until that happens, there is not a professionwide mandate to support this movement. And maybe everyone already knows that and is going, "Duh, Goldman, we know. We're educating people now so that each organization can decide and then the CNHEO can vote!" If that's the case, great. Let's nurture this debate in all member organizations and see what the profession wants.

In short, unless I am misreading the messages sent in various publications and presentations, program accreditation is an idea that merits our attention and very serious consideration, but it has not yet been accepted by the whole profession as have the CUP results.

If I am correct in my interpretation - and welcome and know I will get good feedback if I'm not :-) - I would like to make certain that the profession is aware that program accreditation is NOT a done deal and that we are in the discussion phase.

In which case, let us continue the multi-logue among our organizations and talk about how, at all levels, in all situations this will affect the profession now and in the future.

As always, I offer - and have offered the movement leaders - to put my money where my mouth and moxie are. I would be glad to join or provide input into the Accreditation Task Force as a member of the professional preparation community - Kingsborough Community College is in the process of completing the final steps for approval of an AS degree program in Community Health with a health education concentration (we've had a Community Health degree program for 21 years!) and NO, the graduates will not be eligible to sit for the CHES exam because they will only have begun their preparation for the profession in what I hope is properly named the "Consideration", not "Implementation" Stage. Until a professionwide mandate has been achieved, I believe developing an Accreditation Implementation Task Force is premature.

I look forward to a follow up ground swell of research, consideration and conversation about program accreditation across the nation, among all of our professional organizations, and then a decision on which way to go.

Ducking with dignity the swings that will inevitably come, I remain sincerely yours,

kdg

Karen Denard Goldman, PhD, CHES

Dept. of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Kingsborough Community College

2001 Oriental Boulvard

Brooklyn, NY 11235

kgoldman@kbcc.cuny.edu

718-368-5716

President, KDG Consulting

Training and Development for Health Education and Promotion Organizations and Specialists

184 Columbia Heights, Suite 3C

Brooklyn, NY 11201

917-715-0928

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#495

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:57:08 -0400

From: "Cleary, Michael" <michael.cleary@SRU.EDU>

Subject: Re: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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Karen: I believe your observations are right on the money. To allow only graduates of accredited programs to become CHES certified will probably result in fewer programs surviving and therefore less health educators taking the CHES exam. The net loss of CHES would certainly diminish our collective voice.

Michae Cleary

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From: HEDIR-L List on behalf of KDG Consulting

Sent: Wed 7/26/2006 1:59 PM

To: HEDIR-L@LISTSERV.SIU.EDU

Cc:

Subject: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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#496

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:16:04 -0400

From: "Cooper, Pamela" <Pamela_Cooper@MCGRAW-HILL.COM>

Subject: Re: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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Hi all,

It might be interesting for you to review what has been happening in athletic training. Their whole accreditation process was changed effective 2005 when in the late 1990's (or maybe it was the mid 90's) the American Medical Association declared them an Allied Health Science.

It has had tremendous implications as to what programs would keep athletic training and which ones weren't. It required a curriculum-based as opposed to internship-based program of study, and

added new requirements for instructor education. 2005 was the year

that they stopped allowing students from internship programs to take the certification exam.

you'll find information. Under about "About Us" are lots of committees including the education task force which might have some good contacts.

Pam

Pamela S. Cooper

Executive Marketing Manager, Health and Human Performance

McGraw-Hill

608-442-8342

Fax 608-442-8671

pamela_cooper@mcgraw-hill.com

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 5:57 PM

To: HEDIR-L@LISTSERV.SIU.EDU

Subject: Re: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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Karen: I believe your observations are right on the money. To allow only graduates of accredited programs to become CHES certified will probably result in fewer programs surviving and therefore less health educators taking the CHES exam. The net loss of CHES would certainly diminish our collective voice.

Michae Cleary

-----Original Message-----

From: HEDIR-L List on behalf of KDG Consulting

Sent: Wed 7/26/2006 1:59 PM

To: HEDIR-L@LISTSERV.SIU.EDU

Cc:

Subject: Hlth Ed Program Accreditation - Professionwide Consensus Yet Achieved?

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#497

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:48:11 -0500

From: "Cissell, William" <WCissell@MAIL.TWU.EDU>

Subject: Accreditation and CHES

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Michael,

You may be reading what Karen said about allowing only graduates of accreditied programs to become CHES incorrectly. The proposal is to permit graduates of accredited programs to become certified without completing the exam. This is based on the assumption that graduates of a program that has met standards of strength in curriculum, faculty, and resources assure qualified graduates. This does NOT prevent graduates of non-accredited programs from becoming certified through completing successfully the examination in the manner that all graduates of health educaiton preparation programs currently become certified. It is likely that more graduates would be come certified, rather than fewer.

Bill Cissell

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#498

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:55:13 -0700

From: "Tomita, Mark" <MTomita@CSUCHICO.EDU>

Subject: [CJHP] Request Paper on Health Communication Vs Health Education

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Dear Friends:

I know this is last minute, but I needed someone to write a paper on = what is health communication and how does it differ from health = education and health promotion. The paper should explain the = differences, discussing focus, models, methods, etc. Also, any = information on why public health departments and programs are = emphasizing health communication will be useful. Please include tables = showing differences.

I need the paper by the last week in August. Please e-mail directly for = inquiries.=20

Thanks.

Mark

Mark Tomita, PhD, RN, CHES

Associate Professor & Editor

Californian Journal of Health Promotion

Department of Health and Community Services California State University, Chico Chico, CA 95929-0505 Ph. 530-898-4417 Fax. 530-898-5107

E-Mail: mtomita@csuchico.edu

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#499

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:03:40 -0400

From: "Cleary, Michael" <michael.cleary@SRU.EDU>

Subject: Re: Accreditation and CHES

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Bill: Many thanks for the clarification.

Michael

-----Original Message-----

From: HEDIR-L List on behalf of Cissell, William

Sent: Wed 7/26/2006 8:48 PM

To: HEDIR-L@LISTSERV.SIU.EDU

Cc:

Subject: Accreditation and CHES

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#500

Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:12:23 -0400

From: "Allison, Kathleen G." <kallison@LHUP.EDU>

Subject: SOPHE award deadline approaching

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The deadline for nominating an outstanding health educator or program for a national SOPHE award is rapidly approaching. Nominate an outstanding health education student, seasoned professional, program or mentor today. All nomination applications are due on or before July 31, 2006. Winners will be recognized at the November SOPHE meeting in Boston.

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