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                                                                                                  4/02/01

 

Dear State Partner:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Division of Human Resource Development (DHRD)/State Training Team (STT) is developing a satellite broadcast course on communication skills for regulators. This course is part of an initiative to address the training requirements found in FDA’s Recommended National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, Standard Number 2, Trained Regulatory Staff.

TITLE: COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR REGULATORS

TENTATIVE DATE: October 3-4, 2001

TIME: 12:30 am to 4:00 pm EDT

We encourage you to share this preliminary announcement information with your staff. Additional specifics are attached for your information. In anticipation of this course we need your help. We are recruiting one individual from each state to be the Official State Contact to coordinate the details (attached) for each downlink site.

ACTION ITEM: RESPONSE DUE BY FRIDAY, APRIL 20.

Identify an Official State Contact by networking with your state counterparts and agencies.The Official State Contact must complete Form A, "The Official State Contact for My State" provided and fax to: (301) 594-1966, Attention: Communications Satellite Broadcast.

For your information, it is our intention to use the Internet to provide registration information and course materials for all potential participants nationwide. Information regarding this course will be posted on the DHRD web site at http://www.fda.gov/ora/training/course_ora.html. More details will be provided to Official State Contacts at a later date. If you have questions regarding the courses:

E-mail to ORADLT@ora.fda.gov

FAX to (301) 594-1966 (Attention:
Communications Satellite Broadcast),

Voicemail :(301) 594-2263.

 

Sincerely,

Gary E. German, Director
Division of Human Resource Development

 

 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR REGULATORS

SATELLITE BROADCAST DATES & TIMES:

PROGRAM DATE: October 3-4, 2001 (Two-day course)

PROGRAM TIME: 12:30 am to 4:00 pm EDT (each day)

TEST SIGNAL: 10/3/01,11:30 am EDT – 12:30 pm EDT

10/4/01: 12:00 Noon – 12:30 pm EDT

COURSE FORMAT:

This is a distance learning course delivered via satellite broadcast. Course content will be presented using a variety of formats such as lectures, video dramatizations, interactive Q&A sessions, self directed study, and facilitator-led site exercises. Course exercises will be scheduled and conducted around broadcast times and time zones.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

AUDIENCE: Federal, state and local investigators, inspectors, sanitarians and microbiologists who routinely conduct food processing and/or retail inspections, including retail food, milk, shellfish and Interstate Travel Sanitation specialists.

COURSE LEVEL: Introductory to intermediate

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and apply elements of effective communication in a field environment.

2. Identify and avoid potential communication barriers.

3. Resolve conflicts and properly handle volatile situations.

GOAL: Improve risk communication and interpersonal skills for regulators to increase voluntary compliance.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATES:

Site activities are scheduled to assess student’s comprehension and application of the material presented. Course certificates will be issued to all students who attend entire course and actively participate in all site activities.

COURSE MATERIALS:

Course materials and exercises will be available on our web site at a later date for duplication and distribution to participants. It is the state contact’s decision regarding how to best handle course material duplication and its availability to participants on the Internet.

RECRUITMENT OF THE OFFICIAL CONTACT FOR EACH STATE:

An official state contact is being sought from each state to coordinate the course.

OFFICIAL STATE CONTACT RESPONSIBILITIES, establish and coordinate:

    1. Downlink sites
    2. Participant registration
    3. Distribution of course materials and exercises
    4. Identify course facilitators/coaches for each site
    5. Incur any costs associated with downlink sites or reprinting of course materials (or proportionally redirect these fees to participants), and
    6. Distribution and return of forms (course evaluations and registration forms) as directed to FDA/DHRD

The Official State Contacts should coordinate with their FDA Regional Training Officer (RTO) to establish a course site locating network for the nearest downlink site for those federal, state and local participants wishing to register. A list containing the RTO’s is found on page 5. Registration information for participants will be posted on our web site at: http://www.fda.gov/ora/training/course_ora.html.

REQUIREMENTS OF DOWNLINK SITES:

Each downlink site must have:

* A steerable dish capable of receiving C-band satellite signals

* TV monitors/projection screen

* Audio/microphone

* Tables & chairs (to permit comfortable working space for manuals and exercises)

* Telephone, fax machines and/or E-mail for Q&A sessions (ideally, the phone should be located outside the classroom to prevent feedback)

* Flip chart with flip chart paper and magic markers

THE DOWNLINK TECHNICIAN is the person:

* Physically located at the same building as the satellite dish

* Responsible for steering and tuning in the satellite signal

* Immediately available during all days of the broadcast to resolve technical difficulties, and

* NOT directly involved with the conduct of the course

NOTE: Each Course Facilitator and Downlink Technician should meet at least several weeks prior to the course to ensure each person is familiar with their role.

THE COURSE FACILITATOR, in coordination with their Official State Contact must administer:

* Registration & attendance

* Course material duplication and distribution

* Assurance of adequate classroom style seating capacity

* Assess the site for necessary equipment and provide, if necessary

* Issue and collect evaluation and registration forms as directed

SPECIFIC SITE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE:

*Teams will be organized with 8 or less participants; various departments and agencies should be represented on each team (as available) to work through the exercises.

*A classroom style arrangement with a table and chairs is necessary for each team to conduct exercises.

*A course facilitator must be designated.

 

REGISTRATION:

Ideally, a cross section of federal, state and local personnel is optimal for each downlink site. Registration priorities are traditionally regulators and other local, state or federal employees; academia; and finally industry. Ultimately, registration priorities and deadlines are the responsibility of the official state contact for each course

Course description, updates, and materials will be posted and up-dated on our web site at: http://www.fda.gov/ora/training/course_ora.html.

QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE COURSES?

E-mail: ORADLT@ora.fda.gov

FAX: (301) 594-1966 (Attention: Communications Satellite Broadcast),

Voicemail : (301) 594-2263.