The Institute is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) funded entity created to strengthen local public health through training and education. In January 2010, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Office of Public Health Practice,was selected as the vendor. BUSPH will actively partner with the MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Institute Advisory Committee on issues including long-term vision, scope of trainings offered, target audiences and curriculum development.

Key Principles

• Address training needs of all agencies that provide public health services on the local level as articulated by local health leaders in Massachusetts through the Advisory Committee
• Augment current MDPH and local education and competency-based training opportunities
• Incorporate and track specific public health and emergency preparedness competencies
• Emphasize hands-on and interactive exercises that build sustainable skills, and classroom presentations that respond to the needs of diverse adult learners
• Develop strategies to ensure seamlessness integration of training opportunities across professional groups, boundaries, cultures and jurisdictions
• Provide continuous leadership development to ensure collaboration and connectivity

The Institute offers standardized courses and training materials as well as other trainings upon request. It also works on related projected such as the development of emergency preparedness and other competencies and links those to the development and delivery of specific trainings.

The Institute is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of local health experts and stakeholders.