The National Immunization Coalition TA [technical assistance] Network

This was the original website for the Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Center. In 2011, when the team of experts from the Family Health International and the Academy for Educational Development (AED) came together to create a more comprehensive site: FHI 360, this website was no longer necessary and its domain registration was allowed to expire. Consequently, the site disappeared from the web.

My daughter worked for a community-based non-profit health clinic that was a member of the National Immunization TA Network. During one of our many discussions / debates about recent developments regarding new vaccines for adolescents and the changing immunization recommendations, I learned about this site and the work they were doing. In a way, the staff and volunteers at these clinics and centers like ICTAC are like real-life Supermen, tirelessly working for the health and well-being of the community. This inspired me to think of a unique way to honor these everyday heroes. Though my own work is for a wholesale e-commerce site that doesn't align directly with healthcare, I imagined how we could use something as simple as Superman t-shirts to symbolically celebrate their heroic efforts. Just like Superman, they are making a substantial impact, quietly and powerfully, in the lives of countless individuals. Their dedication is akin to the heroism depicted by the iconic Superman, a symbol of hope, strength, and the relentless pursuit of doing good. This parallel between their work and the symbol of Superman serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact these health professionals and volunteers have in our lives.

Recently I discovered that the domain for ISCoalitionsTA.org was available so I bought it with the goal of recreating some of its content from its 2005-2011 archived pages and to point visitors to the new FHI 360 site. I definitely didn't want someone else purchasing the domain and re-purposing the site for something that had nothing in common with the original website. I believe that the information on ISCoalitionsTA.org's archived pages is still important and should be available for online viewing if for no other reason than for historical purposes and to redirect people to: www.fhi360.org.

ABOUT FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

The original website was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U66/CCU324035 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its content was solely the responsibility of AED and does not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

WELCOME

Welcome to the Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Center, a comprehensive online source of information for immunization coalition members and advocates. This Web site is designed to help immunization coalition members quickly and easily access knowledge and tools to help them accomplish their goals. For more information about the Immunization Technical Assistance Project, which this Web site supports

 

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1961, AED (www.aed.org) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to solving critical social problems and building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to become more self-sufficient. AED works in all the major areas of human development, with a focus on improving education, health, and economic opportunities for the least advantaged in the United States and developing countries throughout the world.

AED has notable experience in increasing immunization rates internationally, including the introduction and application of modern methods of communication and marketing to support routine immunization as well as special initiatives, such as polio eradication. We supported the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) by helping them to strengthen policies and procedures and increase attention to field perspectives and behavior-change approaches.

AED's domestic immunization experience includes providing technical assistance to five coalitions implementing CDC's Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities in Adult Immunization Initiative (READII). Since 2002 we have:

  • Provided organizational development and partnership assistance to the grantees
  • Supported community-based media strategies targeting African American and Hispanic Seniors
  • Facilitated networking and information sharing between program staff and immunization experts.

 

AED's Support to Immunization Coalitions Project

In June 2004, AED was awarded a cooperative agreement by CDC's National Immunization Program to provide technical assistance and training to immunization coalitions. In the start-up of this project, AED conducted a rapid needs assessment through interviews with coalition members and content experts nationwide. You can view the needs assessment report and the slides from AED's presentation to the Sixth National Conference on Immunization Coalitions. Based on that assessment AED developed a project plan designed to meet the needs identified in a manner that effectively reaches the largest number of coalitions.

Immunization coalitions face huge challenges- overwhelming needs pressing against a scarcity of resources, changing vaccine recommendations across the lifespan, and a public that is confused about the value and safety of vaccines. In order to help coalitions address these challenges, AED currently envisions a technical assistance system, grounded in results from the situation analysis, which has four interacting components:

  • An overarching National Technical Assistance System designed to reach the largest possible audience with up-to-date tools and resources;
  • Site Specific and Regional Efforts delivering targeted and interactive technical assistance;
  • A system empowering National Partners to enhance and extend AED's technical assistance efforts; and,
  • A system of Ongoing Coordination and Collaboration to manage and respond to the evolving needs of the national immunization network.

For more information about the Support to Immunization Coalitions Project, please contact Jim Bender, project director at 202-884-8737 or [email protected] or Katherine Shrout, project associate at 202-884-8652 or [email protected].

You can find out more about the AED Center for Health Communication at: chc.aed.org.

 

 

FAQ

 

What is the National Immunization Coalitions TA Network?
The National Immunization TA Network is a growing community of new and seasoned coalition members from across the country who have come together to exchange information and ideas.

What is the Immunization Coalitions TA Center?
This online resource is one of the many tools offered to immunization coalitions who are a part of the National Immunization TA Network. The Web site includes everything from research on best practices in provider outreach to research in best practices in organizational development.

What do I have to do to become a member?
Take 3 to 5 minutes to fill out a short survey and registration form at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=48566604556

What do I receive when I become a member?
As a network member, you will have access to many valuable resources, including:

  • A Web site offering research on best practices;
  • Semi-monthly TA e-mail updates, which will alert you to upcoming meetings, TA opportunities, and valuable resources for your coalition;
  • Moderated listservs on emerging issues of interest to your coalition;
  • Free monthly technical assistance phone calls moderated by recognized experts in the immunization field;
  • Access to your colleagues across the country, with whom you can discuss issues of mutual concern, share ideas, and allocate responsibility for working on emerging or challenging issues;
  • Invitations to skill-building seminars in your region or at national meetings (like NIC, NCIC, and Registry Conference) that you already attend.

What do I have to do to stay active in the Network?

We hope that you take advantage of all the resources we offer; to remain an active network member, however, all you have to do is complete a survey once each quarter. These surveys will provide us with feedback from you regarding our current TA resources and services, and will also be designed to collect information on emerging needs your coalition would like us to address.

Who can join the Network?
Anyone who is a current member of an immunization coalition or plans to form one in the near future can join the network. And yes, more than one person from a coalition may join the Network.

I am not part of an immunization coalition, but I still want to be part of the Network. Can I join?
Yes, when you register via the survey, identify yourself as a "friend of/advocate for immunization coalitions" in your answer to Question 1c, and answer as many of the other questions as possible.

How do I register if I am a member of more than one coalition?
If you wish, you may complete the survey for each coalition. However, please use the same e-mail address for each survey to avoid getting duplicates of e-mails we send.

TA Teleconference Calls

 

2006 National Influenza Vaccine Summit Summary

6.27.2006
Influenza Summit Update
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 1:00 PM (EST)
Dr. LJ Tan
Join Dr. LJ Tan as he gives an update on the current vaccine supply as well as the recommendations for how to create demand for the vaccine or other activities co...more

Mumps: Everything You Need to Know Now

5.5.2006
"Mumps: Everything You Need to Know Now" May 5, 2006 2:00 PM EST—Please Note the New Time
The mumps outbreak is currently spreading throughout the Midwest at a rapid rate. What can your public health department or immunization coalition do when i...more

Human papillomavirus (HPV): A discussion of the disease, vaccine, and outreach to providers

4.11.2006
Human papillomavirus (HPV): A discussion of the disease, vaccine, and outreach to providers
Tuesday, April 11, 2005
2:00 pm (EST)
Speaker: Anna Giuliano, PhD
Join Dr. Anna Giuliano, program leader for risk assessment, detection and ...more

Vote and Vax: Setting up a Successful Clinic in Your Community

3.14.2006
Douglas Shenson, MD, MPH
President, SPARC (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration)
Older Americans, more than any other group, show up for Election Day – which happens to fall right in the middle of flu...more

Getting Pharmacists Involved in Immunization Coalitions

2.14.2006
Have you asked a pharmacist to join your immunization coalition? Pharmacists can play many roles in your coalition to increase immunization rates.
Join Mitch Rothholz, RPh, vice president, Professional Practice, American Pharmacists Association, as ...more

Update on the 7th Annual National Conference for Immunization Coalitions

1.10.2006
Call Description:
The 7th Annual National Conference on Immunization Coalitions will be held in Denver, Colorado at the Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center on August 9 to 11, 2006. The last NCIC, the 6th Annual Conference, held in Norfol...more

Working the Fields: Immunization Outreach to Migrant, Mobile and Immigrant Communities

12.13.2005
This call will discuss who migrant workers are, how to reach them, what the barriers are to immunization, and how the Migrant Clinician Network works in the immunization field.
About the presenter:
Jennie McLaurin, MD, MPH is a pedia...more

Immunization of Adolescents: Making Coalitions Part of the Solution

10.11.2005
October 11, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) – Immunization of Adolescents: Making Coalitions Part of the Solution with Daniel Fishbein, MD
AED is pleased to present a technical assistance call about adolescent immunizations. With the development of new vac...more

Working with Physicians to Improve Adult Vaccination Rates: A Two-Way Street

9.13.2005
The majority of adult vaccinations are given in the practice setting rather than public clinics. As a result, many public health efforts to increase adult vaccination rates have focused on physician practices. However, public health providers are often ...more

2005-2006 influenza vaccine communications update

8.16.2005
Karena (Kari) Sapsis, Health Communications Specialist, CDC, National Immunization Program, provided an update on the influenza vaccine supply situation, an overview of how CDC is going to communicate about influenza vaccine in light of the vaccine shorta...more

Using Registries to Improve and Sustain Community Immunization Rates

7.12.2005
AED is pleased to partner with Every Child By Two to deliver this call.
Immunization Coalitions work to improve immunization coverage levels of cities, counties, and states. Immunization Information Systems (IIS) or immunization registries are c...more

Partnering with Ethnic Physician Organizations: The Key to Eliminating Disparities in Immunization

6.14.2005
AED is pleased to partner with the California Coalition for Childhood Immunization (C3I) to deliver this call.
Ethnic physicians play a vital role in reducing immunization disparities. Research suggests that racial and ethnic minority patients a...more

Communication Challenges Facing Us in the Upcoming Influenza Season

5.24.2005
Who can forget the challenging flu season we just experienced? Think of all the messages you received and/or distributed regarding the limited vaccine supply, priority groups, and vaccine redistribution efforts. While no one knows the exact communicati...more

Gearing Up for the Upcoming Flu Season

5.17.2005
How should you prepare for the upcoming flu season?
First, you should join Dr. LJ Tan, director of infectious diseases for the American Medical Association and Raymond Strikas, medical director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevent...more

Recruiting and Retaining Coalition Members

4.12.2005
Strategically planning and executing recruitment and retention activities are important to securing the future of your coalition. Ensuring that your recruitment and retention activities support your coalition’s strategic plan is equally important. Join...more

Are Your Immunization Materials Easy to Read and Use?

3.8.2005
Learn about the need for easy-to-read educational materials and how often we miss the mark. Discover some of the many factors that affect reading difficulty. Find out if most immunization materials we use are appropriate for their audiences’ needs....more

Public Immunization Events for Dummies: Planning the Perfect Prom

2.22.2005
Melissa Ely Moore, CDC Public Health Advisor from the Los Angeles County Immunization Program and Michelle Basket from the Office of Health Communications, National Immunization Program, CDC, will give practical, hands-on information on how to plan and...more

Starting a Local Immunization Coalition

1.11.2005
Starting and building a local immunization coalition is a major task that involves bringing together various elements of the community around a shared mission. Its leaders and members must exhibit a real sense of commitment, patience, tenacity, and compro...more

Program Logic Modeling: Creating a Blueprint for Success

11.16.2004
Program managers are using program logic models more and more to:

  • Help plan and explain their program
  • Guide their evaluation; and
  • Reach their goals!
  • Funders want to see a well-articulated science-based...more
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