NEHA annual educational conference & exhibition: June 25-28, 2006.

Conference Preview

Sunday, June 25-Wednesday, June 28

Conference Education--Preliminary Information

Based upon extensive market research done specifically for NEHA's 2006 AEC & Exhibition, environmental health professionals have indicated that the following learning objectives meet their educational needs. NEHA's Technical Section Chairs are finalizing the learning objectives, and sessions to educate attendees in these areas are being developed for the conference.

Topics are subject to change.

Along with the topics mentioned, the effects hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on all aspects of environmental health and the roles environmental health professionals played in the response and recovery effort will be addressed in many of the technical sections.

Terrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Examine environmental health experiences and lessons learned that came out of the Katrina and Rita hurricane response and recovery effort

** Utilize the lessons learned to identify strengths and weaknesses in your preparedness planning

** Explore ways to improve the planning, response, and recovery aspects of an all-hazards event

** Increase the awareness of environmental health's role in terrorism and all-hazards preparedness and response

** Identify effective communication programs to implement during an all-hazards event

Food Safety and Protection

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Explore the challenges food safety inspectors run into at ethnic food establishments and develop strategies to address these challenges

** Identify innovative and effective ways to train food establishment employees

** Implement strategies for preventing and investigating foodborne illness outbreaks

** Outline current trends and changes in FDA's Model Food Code

** Examine the food safety and protection issues that environmental health professionals faced in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Onsite Wastewater Systems

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Evaluate the latest onsite wastewater treatment technologies

** Identify successful examples of community onsite management programs

** Analyze the relationship between onsite wastewater treatment systems and housing development

** Assess the trends in onsite wastewater management

Emerging Pathogens/Vector Control and Zoonotic Diseases 

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At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Assess the avian flu threat

** Outline pandemic flu planning strategies

** Understand the far-reaching effects of a flu pandemic on all aspects of life

** Identify new technologies in pest control and vector-borne disease control

Environmental Health Leadership Development

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Outline the current progress of workforce development programs

** Implement marketing strategies to increase the awareness of environmental health and its impact upon public health

** Explore ways to increase internal capacity in environmental health departments

Indoor Air Quality 

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Explore the correlation between indoor air quality and health effects

** Examine examples of indoor air quality public education programs

** Identify new techniques for indoor air quality investigation and remediation

General Environmental Health/GIS/Swimming Pools

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Examine ways to integrate land use planning and environmental health

** Communicate more effectively with the public, media, and government

** Explore the ways environmental health departments are utilizing GIS to support their existing programs

** Identify the latest advances in swimming pool safety and sanitation

Children's Environmental Health

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Evaluate different lead poisoning prevention programs

** Construct environmental health educational programs geared towards children

Drinking Water Quality

At the end of these sessions, you will be able to:

** Ascertain the role water management plays in community planning

** Evaluate future trends in water quality

The educational program will also include sessions on:

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** Ambient Air Quality

** Environmental Health Research

** Injury Prevention/Occupational Health

** Institutions and Schools Environmental Health

** Hazardous Materials and Toxic Substances

** Solid Waste

** Water Pollution

NEHA is working with these organizations to provide further education at the 2006 AEC & Exhibition:

** International Aquatic Foundation (IAF)

** National Environmental, Safety & Health Training Association (NESHTA)

** NEHA's Uniformed Services Environmental Health Affiliate (USEHA)

Pre-Conference Workshops

Epi-Ready Team Training--Foodborne Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Workshop (Level I)

Thursday & Friday, June 22 & 23

NEHA, in conjunction with CDC, is offering a holistic training opportunity for public and private sector environmental health professionals involved in conducting foodborne disease outbreak investigations. This two-day workshop is composed of interactive group exercises, Q & A sessions, and didactic lectures spanning the scope of an investigation. Team applications are required. For more information, contact Matt Cummings at [e-mail].

Epi-Ready Team Training--Train-the-Trainer Workshop (Level II)

Saturday, June 24

This extension of the Level I workshop is intended to teach your team of outbreak investigation professionals effective instructional techniques. The workshop will prepare you as trainers to customize and teach the Epi-Ready curriculum in your jurisdiction. Qualified team applications and Level I Epi-Ready completion is required. Selected teams must conduct a future workshop on their own. For more information, contact Matt Cummings at [e-mail].

Essentials in Healthy Homes Practitioner Training Course

Friday & Saturday, June 23 & 24

Come early to the conference for an exceptional educational opportunity. In a special arrangement with NEHA, the National Center for Healthy Housing is offering this two-day course to conference attendees through funding from CDC, HUD, and U.S. EPA. Housing codes are grounded in public health protection, and health hazards in the home pose significant threats to the health of residents, especially children. This course will help you understand the connection between health and housing, and how to take a holistic approach to identify and resolve problems which threaten the health and well-being of residents. Cost is $49 for members and nonmembers. Limit 50 people. There is a minimum attendance requirement for this course and if that minimum is not reached, NEHA reserves the right to cancel the course.

NSPF[R] Certified Pool-Spa Operator[R] Class

Friday & Saturday, June 23 & 24

NEHA is pleased to offer the National Swimming Pool Foundation[R]'s (NSPF[R]) two-day Certified Pool-Spa Operator[R] (CPO[R]) class at the 2006 AEC & Exhibition. CPO[R] certification is recognized nationally and internationally, and is a leading education and certification program for pool and spa operators, providing a front-line defense to protect the public. Registration cost includes two days of training, a comprehensive handbook, and certification exam. Cost is $199 for members and $299 for nonmembers if you sign up by June 9, 2006. There is a minimum attendance requirement for this class and if that minimum is not reached, NEHA reserves the right to cancel the class.

NSPF[R] Certified Pool-Spa Inspector[TM] Class

Monday, June 26

NSPF[R] and NEHA have jointly launched the Certified Pool-Spa Inspector[TM] (CPI[TM]) training program to help health inspectors and facility personnel inspect aquatic facilities. This national training program will increase the consistency and effectiveness of inspections, ultimately protecting the public by reducing the potential for injury and illness. The CPI[TM] program includes an interactive training CD for students to use as a resource. The program is designed to reflect just how an official performs an inspection. Registration cost includes a half-day of training, the CPI[TM] training program CD (a $60 value), and certification exam. The prerequisite for certification is the CPO[R] certification. The CPI[TM] certification never expires is long as you keep your CPO[R] certification current. Cost is $99 for members and $129 for nonmembers if you sign up by June 9, 2006. There is a minimum attendance requirement for this class and if that minimum is not reached, NEHA reserves the right to cancel the class.

Food-Safe Schools Action Guide Workshop: Taking a Team Approach to School Food Safety

Saturday, June 24

NEHA, in cooperation with USDA/Food Nutrition Service (FNS), is pleased to offer the Food-Safe Schools Action Guide workshop. USDA/FNS, in collaboration with CDC and other partners in the National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools (www.foodsafeschools.org) has developed a new resource to help with school food safety strategies, the Food-Safe Schools Action Guide. This workshop will help your school become a Food-Safe School utilizing the Action Guide and other resources, and learning from the experiences of an actual Food-Safe School in Rhode Island. For more information, please contact Vanessa DeArman at [e-mail] or 303-756-9090, ext. 311.

NSF Plan Review Survey Course

Saturday, June 24

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Plan Review Survey Course for food service and retail food is designed to provide EH professionals with an understanding of the components and process of plan review. It is based on the current version of the FDA Model Food Code and the CFP/FDA Blue Book. The course covers the application process; menu review; site, mechanical, and structural systems utilities layout; and equipment specifications. It includes sections on water and wastewater, storage, refrigeration, cooking, dishwashing, and installation of equipment. Cost is $99 for members and $139 for nonmembers if you sign up by June 9, 2006. Limit 50 people. There is a minimum attendance requirement for this course and if that minimum is not reached, NEHA reserves the right to cancel the course.

Credential Review Courses and Exams

Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) Review Course*

Friday & Saturday, June 23 & 24

This two-day refresher course is designed to help you review for the REHS/RS exam. The course will cover exam content areas. You will be able to question instructors who have years of expertise in the environmental health field. Cost TBD. Limit 50 people.

Certified Food Safety Professional (CFSP) Review Course*

Friday, June 23

This one-day refresher course is designed to help you review for the CFSP exam. The course will cover exam content areas. You will be able to question instructors who have years of experience in the food safety and protection field. Cost TBD. Limit 50 people.

NEHA Credential Exams*

CFSP Saturday, June 24

REHS/RS Monday, June 26

You have an opportunity to take other NEHA credential exams at the AEC & Exhibition too. For credential applications and information on eligibility, please visit NEHA's credentialing department online at www.neha.org/credential/index.shtml.

*Important Note: A separate credential application is required and due to NEHA by May 1, 2006. Only qualified applicants will be able to sit for the exam. NEHA cannot guarantee that applicants applying after the May 1, 2006 deadline will be able to sit for the exam. All applications received after the May 1, 2006 deadline will be assessed a non-returnable $25 late fee. To review a copy of the credential application for any of NEHA's exams, please visit our Web site at www.neha.org/credential/files.shtml or contact the credentialing department at 303-756-9090, ext. 309 or ext. 339.

Preliminary* Schedule-at-a-Glance

June 25-28, 2006

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Please see course descriptions on pages 9 & 10 for the pre-conference workshops and credential review courses to be offered Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

* Subject to change

In late January, the full conference brochure will be available at www.neha.org.