What does Health Education Administration (HEA) do?
What is health education?
What is a health educator?
How does HEA differ from other Public Health programs?
What kind of technical assistance can HEA provide?
Does HEA offer internship placements?
Can you do a presentation on a specific health topic?
Can you have a booth at my health fair?
Can HEA provide Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) continuing education contact hours (CECH) for our event?
- What does Health Education Administration (HEA) do?
Answer: Health Education Administration is a program within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Our work supports the county health education workforce by providing training in health education and promoting professional development and evidence-based best practices for health educators.
- What is health education?
Answer: Health Education is a health profession that uses evidence-based strategies to create conditions that support health. According to Public Health: What It Is and How It Works by Bernard J. Turnock, "Health Education is any combination of learning opportunities designed to facilitate voluntary adaptations of behavior (in individuals, groups or communities) conducive to good health. Health education encourages positive health behavior." (page 329)
- What is a health educator?
Answer: Health educators often work in government agencies, hospitals, schools, or non-profit organizations on projects and programs designed to improve health. According to the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Educators, health educators use scientific evidence and theory to: (1) Assess individual and community needs for health education; (2) Plan effective health education programs; (3) Implement health education programs; (4) Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs; (5) Coordinate provision of health education services; (6) Act as a resource person in health education; and (7) Communicate health and education needs, concerns and resources.
Links:
National Commission on Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)
- How does HEA differ from other Public Health programs?
Answer: Health Education Administration works with consultants from local schools of public health and public health experts to improve health education services in Los Angeles County. Our primary audience is the public health workforce. We work with health educators in Los Angeles County Programs and in the Service Planning Areas (SPAs) to improve the quality and impact of health education in Los Angeles County.
- What kind of technical assistance can HEA provide?
Answer: Health Education Administration is able to provide a limited amount of technical assistance to Los Angeles County programs that require consultation regarding best practices in health education. Priority is given to programs that do not have a health educator.
- Does HEA offer internship placements?
Answer: Yes, Health Education Administration is interested in working with local Schools of Public Health to recruit future health educators. A variety of internship opportunities are available. HEA can help place students in health education internships within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. We are also able to participate in career fairs or provide classroom presentations. For more information on health education internships, contact Maria Pacho at (213) 351-7858 or mpacho@.ph.lacounty.gov.
- Can you do a presentation on a specific health topic?
Answer: Health Education Administration is not normally able to provide speakers on general health topics. However, we do coordinate a Speakers' Bureau and are able to facilitate requests for speakers on the following four topics: Emergency Preparedness, Hanta Virus, Pandemic Flu and West Nile Virus. For more information on the Speakers' Bureau, please contact Milan Hill at (213) 351-7805 or mhill@ph.lacounty.gov
- Can you have a booth at my health fair?
Answer: Health Education Administration does not normally attend health fairs. However, we work closely with health educators in many Public Health Programs and we are happy to put you in contact with a health educator who may be able to represent the County at your health event or fair.
- Can HEA provide Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) continuing education contact hours (CECH) for our event?
Answer: Simply contact HEA with the event time, date, location, goals, evaluation and objectives. If the event addresses at least one area of responsibility as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (www.nchec.org) HEA can offer Category I CHEC. For more information, please contact Girisha Colleary at (213) 351-7826.
