National Environmental Health

A PEOPLE-CENTERED, TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN, SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO ADVANCING CONFORMANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS

USING TECHNOLOGY, DATA, AND COLLABORATION TO EXPAND SLTT CONFORMANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS - PROJECT SUMMARY AFTER DECADES OF INCREMENTAL CHANGES TO THE FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS HAVE USHERED IN A CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF INCREASED CHANGE FOR BOTH FOOD SYSTEMS AND FOOD SAFETY. ACCORDING TO FDA’S MOST RECENT FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE, THE NEW ERA OF SMARTER FOOD SAFETY, MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THE PACE OF CHANGE WILL CONTINUE INCREASING OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS, PERHAPS EVEN MORE THAN IN RECENT DECADES. AS OLD FOODS ARE REFORMULATED, NEW FOODS ARE CREATED, NEW PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY METHODS ARE DEVELOPED, AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIGITIZED, COMPLEXITY FOR REGULATORS IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) PROJECT ENTITLED A PEOPLE-CENTERED, TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN, SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO ADVANCING CONFORMANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS (RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS) IS INTENDED TO:  OBJECTIVE 1: WORK WITH FDA AND PROJECT PARTNERS TO DEVELOP, REFINE, AND IMPROVE THE GRANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WE DEVELOPED TO ADMINISTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SLTT RETAIL REGULATORY FOOD PROGRAMS BASED ON FDA'S RETAIL FLEXIBLE FUNDING MODEL (RFFM) VISION.  OBJECTIVE 2: MAINTAIN THE SELF-ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION AUDIT ONLINE COURSE WE DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FDA AND EXPAND ITS USE AND VALUE TO SLTT JURISDICTIONS.  OBJECTIVE 3: ESTABLISH THE NEHA-NACCHO MENTOR ACADEMY TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN A NEW GENERATION OF MENTORS, EXPANDING OUR CAPACITY TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR EXPERTISE IN THE RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS.  OBJECTIVE 4: WORK WITH CFP AND FDA TO HOST A BIENNIAL RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS SYMPOSIUM AND AN ANNUAL VIRTUAL RFFM GRANT YEAR KICKOFF MEETING, TO ENGAGE CURRENT AND ATTRACT NEW ENROLLEES IN THE RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS. THESE FOUR OBJECTIVES WILL ADVANCE THE INTEGRATED FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM (IFSS) REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN THE FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA) AND SUPPORT THE GOAL OF BUILDING NEW BUSINESS MODELS AND RETAIL STANDARDIZATION IN THE NEW ERA OF SMARTER FOOD SAFETY. BY SUPPORTING SLTT RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN THEIR WORK TOWARD UNIFORMITY AND ENCOURAGING INCREASED ACTIVE MANAGERIAL CONTROLS, WE WILL ASSIST THE FDA WITH THEIR GOAL OF “BENDING THE CURVE” OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ILLNESSES AND RELATED DEATHS.

NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM - FUNDING STRATEGY 1

NEHA'S BUILDING FOOD SAFETY REGULATORY CAPACITY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM STANDARD AND THROUGH EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND OTHER LEARNING MOMENTS

NEHA AND UL'S INTEGRATED FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM'S NATIONAL FOOD/FEED TRAINING PROGRAM

NEHA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOC. (NEHA) FOOD SAFETY CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH INTEGRATED FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM (IFSS) TRAINING

CATEGORY B: ADVANCING EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE CAPACITY BUILDING - THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) PROPOSES TO MODERNIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH (EPH) WORKFORCE TO ADDRESS CRITICAL CHALLENGES AND ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH STRATEGIC COLLABORATION AND INITIATIVES THAT PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING ASSISTANCE FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, DATA MODERNIZATION, AND PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT. AS THE SECOND LARGEST SEGMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE, EPH PROFESSIONALS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING COMMUNITY HEALTH. HOWEVER, LONGSTANDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKFORCE LIMITATIONS HINDER EFFORTS TO ADDRESS EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH THREATS, WHICH DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. NEHA WILL MODERNIZE THE EPH WORKFORCE AND PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING ASSISTANCE THROUGH TRAINING, INFORMATION SHARING, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, AND MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT. OUR INITIATIVES WILL FOCUS ON THREE KEY STRATEGIC AREAS: 1) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, 2) DATA MODERNIZATION AND INFORMATICS, AND 3) PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE COORDINATING THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, DELIVERING QUARTERLY EPH GRAND ROUNDS WEBINARS, AND CREATING EPH DISASTER READINESS WORKFORCE RESOURCES. THESE INITIATIVES WILL ENHANCE LEADERSHIP SKILLS, INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY TRAINING, AND IMPROVE WORKFORCE CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. DATA MODERNIZATION EFFORTS WILL EQUIP EPH PROFESSIONALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO LEVERAGE DATA AND TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVELY. NEHA WILL FACILITATE A NATIONAL INFORMATICS COMMITTEE AND DEVELOP DATA MODERNIZATION EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND AN INFORMATICS GUIDE TAILORED FOR THE EPH WORKFORCE. PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES WILL FOSTER COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. NEHA WILL MAINTAIN ITS RURAL & FRONTIER EPH PROGRAM COMMITTEE, ESTABLISH A TRIBAL EPH PROGRAM COMMITTEE, AND SUPPORT STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR PACIFIC AND CARIBBEAN EPH PARTNERS. NEHA'S CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES WILL RESULT IN SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF INCREASED AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND TOOLS THAT ADDRESS PRIORITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, DATA MODERNIZATION, AND HEALTH EQUITY NEEDS. INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES INCLUDE ENHANCED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES AMONG THE EPH WORKFORCE, IMPROVED CAPACITY TO USE DATA AND INFORMATICS TO GUIDE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH CULTURALLY-INFORMED APPROACHES. LONG-TERM OUTCOMES ENCOMPASS A MORE DIVERSE, SKILLED, AND RESILIENT EPH WORKFORCE WITH IMPROVED ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES, ULTIMATELY REDUCING DISPARITIES AND IMPROVING HEALTH FOR ALL. NEHA'S MODERNIZATION OF THE EPH WORKFORCE THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING ASSISTANCE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE DIVERSE, SKILLED, AND RESILIENT WORKFORCE BETTER EQUIPPED TO DELIVER ESSENTIAL SERVICES, RESPOND TO EMERGING THREATS, AND ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY NATIONWIDE. IMPROVED DATA SYSTEMS AND STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIPS WILL ENHANCE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES, ULTIMATELY REDUCING DISPARITIES AND IMPROVING HEALTH FOR ALL.

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES THAT COLLABORATIVELY ADVANCE RETAIL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVES TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS - NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) PROPOSAL FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT RFA-FD-22-008 PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) AND OUR PARTNERS IN THE RETAIL FOOD SAFETY REGULATORY ASSOCIATION COLLABORATIVE (COLLABORATIVE) CONTINUE OUR JOINT EFFORTS TO REDUCE FOODBORNE ILLNESS. THIS COOPERATIVE APPROACH OF SYNERGIC INITIATIVES SUPPORTS THE PRACTICE OF FOOD SAFETY AND INVOLVES STAKEHOLDERS AT ALL LEVELS OF RETAIL FOOD SAFETY. ALIGNING WITH CORE ELEMENT THREE OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION’S NEW ERA OF SMARTER FOOD SAFETY BLUEPRINT, OUR SPECIFIC AIMS ARE: 1) DEVELOP A NATIONAL FOOD CODE ADOPTION STRATEGY; 2) IMPROVE THE APPROACH, COMPETENCY, AND FOOD SAFETY CULTURE AMONG REGULATORS; 3) INCREASE ENROLLMENT, ENGAGEMENT, AND CONFORMANCE IN THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS; 4) IMPROVE FOODBORNE OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION METHODS; 5) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE WELL-DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS; AND 6) DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND BETTER TELL OUR STORY. THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLABORATIVE HAVE COMMITTED TO SYSTEMATIC, ROUTINE COORDINATION ACROSS OUR PORTFOLIOS OF ACTIVITIES. UNDER OUR NATIONAL FOOD CODE ADOPTION STRATEGY, NEHA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES, WILL BRING HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF FOOD CODE ADOPTION AND DELIVER FACT-BASED, NONPARTISAN INFORMATION TO LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE FOOD CODE ADOPTION MAP WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPED TO INCLUDE DATA ON THE FOOD CODE ADOPTION STATUS OF U.S. TERRITORIES AND TRIBAL NATIONS. TO HELP SUPPORT THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE RETAIL FOOD SAFETY WORKFORCE, NEHA WILL PARTNER TO CREATE AND DELIVER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT PERIOD INCLUDING PARTNER-DEVELOPED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AND CITY HEALTH OFFICIALS, NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (NRA), AND ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFICIALS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRA AND THE CONFERENCE FOR FOOD PROTECTION, NEHA WILL ASSESS THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION NEEDS OF RETAIL FOOD HANDLERS AND WORK TO DEVELOP RESOURCES THAT MEET THOSE NEEDS. NEHA WILL LEAD THE STRATEGY TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE CONTINUATION OF OUR TELLING THE STORY OF FOOD SAFETY PROJECT BY CREATING VIDEO VIGNETTES WITH CALLS TO ACTION TO SUPPORT FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMS AND BY THE EXECUTION OF ROBUST MARKETING, COMMUNICATION, AND WEBSITE MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WORK BY PARTICIPATING IN WORKING GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT PERIOD. THROUGH THIS WORK, THE COLLABORATIVE WILL LEVERAGE OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS AND EXPERTISE TO WORK TOWARD A REDUCTION IN FOODBORNE ILLNESS.

TRAIN THE TRAINER WORKSHOPS ON RADON RESISTANT NEW CONSTRUCTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUES INCLUDING ASTHMA TRIGGERS HOW TO START HOW TO MANAGE AN

TO CONDUCT TRAINING COURSES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY TOPICS INCLUDING INDOOR ASTHMA TRIGGERS, SCHOOLS, RADON, IN

ADVANCING THE FUTURE OF FDA'S INTEGRATED FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM TRAINING - PROJECT SUMMARY THE U.S. RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY WORKFORCE IS NAVIGATING A PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANT TRANSITION, DRIVEN BY HIGH TURNOVER, A NARROWING PIPELINE OF NEW PROFESSIONALS, EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES, AND RISING EXPECTATIONS FOR CONSISTENT, HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING. IN RESPONSE, THE FDA’S OFFICE OF TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND DEVELOPMENT (OTED) HAS ESTABLISHED A FOUNDATION FOR A NATIONAL INTEGRATED FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM (IFSS) THAT IS COMPETENCY-BASED, PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN, AND GROUNDED IN REAL-WORLD REGULATORY PRACTICE. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) PROPOSES TO BUILD ON THIS FOUNDATION BY DELIVERING A MODERN, SUSTAINABLE TRAINING SYSTEM THAT EXPANDS THE REACH, QUALITY, AND LONG-TERM VALUE OF FDA’S INVESTMENT. NEHA WILL CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH FDA AND CONTENT ADVISORY GROUPS (CAGS) TO REVIEW AND UPDATE FDA-ALIGNED COURSES USING INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND SMART LEARNING OBJECTIVES. UPDATES WILL REFLECT EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES, REGULATORY CHANGES, AND ADULT LEARNING BEST PRACTICES TO ENSURE CONTENT REMAINS RELEVANT AND IMPACTFUL. ANNUALLY, NEHA WILL DELIVER MORE THAN 25 FDA-ALIGNED COURSES THROUGH INSTRUCTOR-LED, VIRTUAL, AND HYBRID FORMATS. EACH COURSE WILL BE SUPPORTED BY FULL-SERVICE LOGISTICS, INCLUDING INSTRUCTOR COORDINATION, LMS INTEGRATION, TECHNICAL FACILITATION, AND POST-COURSE EVALUATION, ENSURING CONSISTENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY ACROSS ALL SESSIONS. TO ENHANCE REACH AND SUSTAINABILITY, NEHA WILL RECRUIT AND ONBOARD QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS, PROVIDE MENTORSHIP, AND CONDUCT ONGOING PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS WHILE ALSO STRENGTHENING THE PARTNERSHIP FOR REGULATORY EDUCATION AND TRAINING (PRET), ENABLING SLTT PROFESSIONALS TO DELIVER FDA COURSES WITHIN THEIR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. NEHA WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT LONGITUDINAL RETENTION STUDIES TO EVALUATE HOW TRAINING TRANSLATES TO REAL- WORLD APPLICATION. INSIGHTS WILL INFORM TARGETED FOLLOW-UP MODULES THAT REINFORCE LEARNING, IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, AND STRENGTHEN THE SLTT REGULATORY WORKFORCE. NEHA’S COMMITMENT EXTENDS BEYOND COURSE DELIVERY TO INCLUDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CREDENTIALING, AND SYSTEMS-LEVEL IMPACT. WE SUPPORT INNOVATION THROUGH AI-DRIVEN LEARNING PATHWAYS, JUST-IN-TIME TRAINING, AND RETENTION BOOSTERS TAILORED TO LEARNER NEEDS. THIS PROPOSAL NOT ONLY STRENGTHENS FDA’S CURRENT TRAINING SYSTEMS BUT REIMAGINES THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION, DELIVERING HIGH-IMPACT, LEARNER-CENTERED TRAINING THAT PROTECTS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ADVANCES A UNIFIED, PERFORMANCE-READY WORKFORCE.

THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOC. APPROACH TO REDUCING FOODBORNE ILLNESS VIA PROMOTION, COMMUNICATION, AND SUPPORT OF RETAIL FOOD SAFETY STAKEHOLDERS IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS

INDUSTRY-FOODBORNE ILLNESS INVESTIGATION TRAINING: A COLLABORATIVE TRAINING MODEL

STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAPACITY (EHC) TO DETECT, PREVENT, AND CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN, EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES

THE PROPOSAL FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING SCHOOL IPM IS A COMPREHENSIVE, HANDS-ON, MENTORED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT T

LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD CONTROL IN PRIVATELY-OWNED HOUSING

AEC CONFERENCE SUPPORT 5 YEAR - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS PLEASED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13 CLINICAL TRIAL NOT ALLOWED), FOA NUMBER: PAR- 19-306. THE NEHA ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION WAS FIRST HELD ON JUNE 25, 1937, AND THERE HAVE SINCE BEEN 85 AECS CONVENED IN NORTH AMERICA, INCLUDING HAWAII, ALASKA, RHODE ISLAND, AND CANADA. THE AEC IS DESIGNED TO TRAIN, EDUCATE, AND ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BY PROVIDING THE MEANS TO BUILD A NETWORK OF COLLEAGUES, EXCHANGE INFORMATION, AND DISCOVER NEW, BEST, AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO FOOD SAFETY AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE AEC BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 1,400 STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FROM HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCIES, AS WELL AS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIA, THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, AND INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTIONS. THE AEC PROVIDES A MEANS TO TRANSLATE FIELD-BASED RESEARCH INTO ACTION ON RETAIL FOOD SAFETY, PROGRAM STANDARDS CONFORMANCE, FOODBORNE OUTBREAK PREVENTION, DATA AND TECHNOLOGY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND MUCH MORE. LIKE MANY OTHERS, NEHA TRANSITIONED TO A HYBRID FORMAT IN RECENT YEARS OUT OF NECESSITY, YET WE HAVE CONTINUED THE VIRTUAL COMPONENT BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO SMALL, RURAL AND FRONTIER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT ARE OTHERWISE UNABLE TO TRAVEL. THE VISION OF THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS WITHIN FDA IS THAT “ALL FOOD IS SAFE…AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADVANCED AND PROTECTED,” AS WELL AS ITS MISSION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH BY MAXIMIZING COMPLIANCE AND MINIMIZING RISK, ALIGNS WITH OUR MISSION TO BUILD, SUSTAIN, AND EMPOWER AN EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE. BOTH MISSIONS ARE EMBODIED IN THE AEC. WE REQUEST FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP, ADMINISTER, AND CONDUCT THE AEC. NEHA ANTICIPATES AN ANNUAL ESTIMATED COST OF $750,000–$850,000 PER YEAR OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS AND REQUESTS FUNDING TO OFF-SET THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM AND AUDIO/VISUAL COSTS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO MEET THE CURRENT AND EVOLVING NEEDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ATTEND IN PERSON AND THOSE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY.

VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS SELF-ASSESSMENT & VERIFICATION AUDIT ONLINE WORKSHOP - PROJECT ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS PLEASED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13 CLINICAL TRIAL NOT ALLOWED), FOA NUMBER: PAR-19-306. SINCE 2016, NEHA HAS BEEN WORKING TO SUPPORT RETAIL FOOD SAFETY PROFESSIONALS BY DEVELOPING RESOURCES AND TRAINING FOR REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS. NEHA PROPOSES TO APPLY AWARDED FUNDING TOWARDS THREE PROJECTS RELATED TO AN ONLINE WORKSHOP SERIES THAT SUPPORTS STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND TERRITORIAL (SLTT) AGENCIES’ SELF-ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION AUDIT PROCESS, WHICH IN TURN ASSISTS THEM IN THEIR CONFORMANCE WITH FDA’S VOLUNTARY NATIONAL RETAIL FOOD REGULATORY PROGRAM STANDARDS (VNRFRPS, HENCEFORTH RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS). THESE PROJECTS WILL SERVE APPROXIMATELY 900 RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS ENROLLEES AND WILL INCLUDE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT UPDATES TO EXISTING CONTENT TO ALIGN WITH UPDATES TO THE RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS, DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL COURSE FOR PROFESSIONALS NEW TO THE RETAIL PROGRAM STANDARDS, AND PRODUCTION OF A RISK-BASED RETAIL FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION FILM.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) BODY ART TRAINING UPDATES AND DELIVERY - PROJECT ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS PLEASED TO APPLY FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13 CLINICAL TRIAL NOT ALLOWED), FOA NUMBER: PAR-19-306. NEHA PROPOSES TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE PILOT BODY ART FACILITY INSPECTOR TRAINING, TAILORED TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (EH) PROFESSIONALS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING BODY ART ESTABLISHMENTS. OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, NEHA WILL HOST WORKSHOPS TO EVALUATE AND UPDATE THE COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY BASED ON SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) GUIDANCE AND PARTICIPANT EVALUATIONS. NEHA WILL INCORPORATE UPDATES INTO TRAINING MATERIALS AND DELIVER THE COURSE ANNUALLY AT ITS ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC). DURING THE THIRD YEAR, NEHA WILL CONVERT THE AWARENESS LEVEL COURSE INTO A VIRTUAL, ASYNCHRONOUS TRAINING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE TRAINING AND ACCOMMODATE THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE EH WORKFORCE. NEHA WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE COURSE IN-PERSON AT THE AEC WHILE PIVOTING THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO AN OPERATIONS LEVEL TRAINING. THROUGH THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEHA, THE ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFICIALS (AFDO), AND THE BODY ART EDUCATION ALLIANCE (BAEA), THE BODY ART TRAINING DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS WILL BUILD UPON YEARS OF COOPERATIVE WORK TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES OF THE EH WORKFORCE.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S (NEHA) 74TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFER

CHILD NUTRITION DISCRETIONARY GRANTS LIMITED AVAILABILITY

CHILD NUTRITION DISCRETIONARY GRANTS LIMITED AVAILABILITY

2022 HYBRID ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS PLEASED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13 CLINICAL TRIAL NOT ALLOWED), FOA NUMBER: PAR-19-306. DESPITE THE OVERWHELMING CHALLENGES BROUGHT ON BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (EH) PROFESSIONALS CONTINUE TO SEEK CRITICAL CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES. WITH THE LARGE VARIANCE OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND GLOBE—COUPLED WITH THE DEMAND FOR IN-PERSON OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT, ENGAGE, AND EXPAND NETWORKS—NEHA HAS TRANSITIONED THE 2022 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION TO A HYBRID CONFERENCE ON JUNE 28–JULY 1 IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON AND VIRTUALLY. THE AEC IS DESIGNED TO TRAIN, EDUCATE, AND ADVANCE EH PROFESSIONALS, AS WELL AS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY TO BUILD A NETWORK OF EH COLLEAGUES, EXCHANGE INFORMATION, AND DISCOVER NEW AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO FOOD SAFETY AND OTHER EH ISSUES. THE AEC BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 1,000 STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, AND FEDERAL EH AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FROM HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCIES AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIA, UNIFORMED SERVICES, AND INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTIONS. THE AEC PROVIDES A MEANS TO TRANSLATE FIELD- BASED RESEARCH INTO ACTION ON FOOD SAFETY AND OTHER EH TOPICS AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES AND HEALTH RISKS. THE THEME FOR THE NEHA 2022 AEC IS “SAFEGUARDING A ROAD LESS TRAVELED.” EH PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONTLINE OF AN UNPRECEDENTED PANDEMIC. COVID- 19 BROUGHT WITH IT CHANGES TO ROLES AND INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES. THE 2022 AEC WILL BRING TOGETHER EH PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, RESEARCH, EXPERTISE, AND BEST PRACTICES AS WE WORK TOGETHER IN SAFEGUARDING A NEW POST-PANDEMIC WORLD. THE VISION OF FDA’S OFFICE OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS THAT “ALL FOOD IS SAFE…AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADVANCED AND PROTECTED,” AS WELL AS ITS MISSION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH BY MAXIMIZING COMPLIANCE AND MINIMIZING RISK ALIGNS WITH NEHA’S MISSION TO “BUILD, SUSTAIN, AND EMPOWER AN EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE.” BOTH MISSIONS ARE EMBODIED IN THE AEC. NEHA REQUESTS FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP, ADMINISTER, AND CONDUCT THE 2022 AEC. NEHA ANTICIPATES AN ESTIMATED COST OF $750,000 FOR THE 2022 HYBRID AEC AND IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000. NEHA REQUESTS FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH VIRTUAL PLATFORM AND AUDIO/VISUAL COSTS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EH PROFESSIONALS.

NEHA'S DIGITAL DEFENSE: FOOD SAFETY IN CRISIS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

NEHA'S 73RD ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION - 500.1

NEHA'S 74TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION

NEHA 2019 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION

NEHA 2018 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION AND HUD HEALTHY HOMES CONFERENCE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S 81ST ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S 79TH ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S 78TH ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S 73RD ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE

NATIONAL ENVIONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFICIALS (AFDO), AND BODY ART EDUCATION ALLIANCE (BAEA) BODY ART TRAINING DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS - NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE

2021 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) AND EXHIBITION THREE-PART VIRTUAL SERIES - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS PLEASED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13 CLINICAL TRIAL NOT ALLOWED), FOA NUMBER: PAR-19-306. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SOCIAL DISTANCING, SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDERS, AND THE CANCELLATION OF LOCAL CONFERENCES, MEETINGS, AND EVENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (EH) PROFESSIONALS ARE FINDING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING. IN RESPONSE, NEHA’S 2021 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (AEC) & EXHIBITION THREE-PART VIRTUAL SERIES BEING HELD ON APRIL 20–21, JUNE 1–2, AND JULY 14–15 AIMS TO FILL THIS NEED. THIS CONFERENCE IS DESIGNED TO TRAIN, EDUCATE, AND ADVANCE EH PROFESSIONALS, AS WELL AS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD A NETWORK OF EH COLLEAGUES, EXCHANGE INFORMATION, AND DISCOVER NEW AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO FOOD SAFETY ISSUES DURING A PANDEMIC. THE AEC THREE-PART VIRTUAL SERIES WILL ADDRESS NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO FOOD SAFETY DURING A CRISIS WITH THE GOAL TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR ATTENDEES TO APPLY NEW KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES IN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES. THE AEC MEETS THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE A SPECIALTY, SUCH AS FOOD SAFETY, AND GENERALISTS WHO PROVIDE A BROADER SCOPE OF EH SERVICES. EH PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONTLINE OF AN UNPRECEDENTED PANDEMIC. COVID-19 BROUGHT WITH IT CHANGES TO ROLES AND INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES. THE 2021 AEC WILL BRING TOGETHER EH PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, RESEARCH, EXPERTISE, AND BEST PRACTICES AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR A SAFER AND HEALTHIER TOMORROW. NEHA REQUESTS FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP, ADMINISTER, AND CONDUCT THIS THREE-PART VIRTUAL SERIES. NEHA ANTICIPATES AN ESTIMATED COST OF $600,000 FOR THE 2021 AEC VIRTUAL SERIES AND IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000. NEHA REQUESTS FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH VIRTUAL PLATFORM ASSOCIATED COSTS AND AUDIO/VISUAL COSTS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EH PROFESSIONALS. THE VISION OF FDA’S OFFICE OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS THAT “ALL FOOD IS SAFE…AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADVANCED AND PROTECTED,” AS WELL AS ITS MISSION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH BY MAXIMIZING COMPLIANCE AND MINIMIZING RISK ALIGNS WITH NEHA’S MISSION TO “BUILD, SUSTAIN, AND EMPOWER AN EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE.” BOTH MISSIONS ARE EMBODIED IN THE PROPOSED VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL SERIES.