Assessment of Training Needs for Public Health Financial Managers

The researchers examined competencies of financial managers in state and local public health departments. A national sample of public health finance officers, and the senior public health officials to whom they report, was surveyed. The survey gathered information on their self-assessment of current knowledge and performance in relation to public health finance competencies, as well as their preference for educational formats. Using newly issued competencies in public health financial management as benchmarks, the researchers identified areas of need, mechanisms for delivering training, and potential funding sources. The objective of this project was to identify professional development needs for financial officers in state and local public health agencies.