Pre-Conference Workshops (September 1, 2026)
IPHA is excited to announce that we will hold pre-conference workshops on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The cost of these workshops is included with a Full Conference registration, but space is limited!
Afternoon Workshops - Session 1 (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
1) Advanced Topics in Public Health Supervision: Addressing Challenging Conversations
Presenter: Shelly Ebbert
Pre-Requisites: Completion of the IPHA Supervisory Skills Series Training or currently in a leadership/administrative role, either by employment or election
As public health practitioners and leaders, we advocate for underserved communities, promote social justice, and embrace diversity. While our aims are admirable and necessary, the reality is that our jobs can be challenging – especially when we face the differences of opinion inherent in bringing our goals together. This important work becomes even more difficult as science and truth become suspect and social media turns opinions into outrage. The actions of planning a meeting, setting priorities, or even giving feedback can feel like conversations we want to avoid if there are unresolved differences. In this workshop, Shelly will guide participants through action steps to help public health practitioners reflect on their own stories and manage their responses to difficult conversations. Using materials from the IPHA Supervisory Course as well as tools from the book “Crucial Conversations”, participants will learn strategies to plan for difficult conversations and recognize and manage their own responses “in the moment”. By employing these tools in real-life scenarios, participants will walk away from the session better equipped to improve their organizations' results and even their own health, relationships, and well-being.
2) From Outreach to Reimbursement: CHW Documentation for MCO Billing Success
Presenters: Tracey Smith, Stephanie Standish, Tonya Potts, and Payton Champley
This interactive preconference workshop equips Community Health Workers (CHWs) with the essential skills to document services in ways that meet Managed Care Organization (MCO) requirements and support Medicaid billing. Participants will learn how to translate outreach, care coordination, and social needs support into clear, compliant, and outcome-focused documentation. Through real-world examples and hands-on practice, attendees will strengthen their ability to distinguish billable activities, avoid common documentation pitfalls, and align their notes with care plans, member goals, and MCO expectations. This session is designed for CHWs, supervisors, and program leaders preparing for or currently working within managed care and value-based environments.
3) Healthy Brains Start Here: Small Habits, Big Impact!
Presenters: Krissy Roseberry and the Illinois Alzheimer's Association
What would change if brain health were part of everyday health conversations from the very beginning? This interactive session equips community health workers (CHWs) and public health professionals with practical tools to promote brain health across the lifespan. Through guided discussions, small-group activities, and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how everyday habits shape cognitive well-being from early life through older adulthood. The session will highlight key pillars, including sleep, mental stimulation, physical activity, nutrition, and management of chronic conditions, showing how small, achievable changes can lead to lasting impact. Participants will also be introduced to the Illinois Brain Health Project, highlighting its tools, resources, and partnership opportunities to advance brain health promotion across the state. Join us to learn how to support your own brain health while gaining tools to help others do the same.
Afternoon Workshops - Session 2 (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
1) Communications Skills for the Public Health Community Workforce
Presenter: Allie Boman
This workshop equips community health workers, local public health department team members, and other health professionals with practical communications skills they can apply immediately to their own projects. Grounded in both community engagement principles and communications best practices, it moves participants through the full arc of a mini communications strategy—from empathizing with their audience to executing across the right channels (including community organizations and media) with effective messaging and visuals.
2) Foundations of Professional Excellence to Propel Your Public Health Career
Presenters: Parasol Health Consulting
Stepping into the public health workforce means more than mastering technical skills; it means showing up with confidence, integrity, and the interpersonal savvy to make an impact. This two-hour interactive training equips public health students with the professional foundations essential for thriving in public health settings. Participants will explore the core components of professional behavior, sharpen their workplace communication skills, and learn to navigate ethical challenges with confidence. Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, students will walk away with practical tools for everything from writing professional emails to building meaningful networks, setting the stage for a credible, impactful public health career.
3) From Data to Impact: Advancing CMV Prevention, Surveillance, and Child Outcomes through Public Health Action
Presenters: Emma Trogh, Ginger Mullin, Kathleen Jordan, and Illinois Hand and Voices Guide by Your Side Parent Guide
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in the United States, yet awareness among healthcare providers, early interventionists, educators, and childcare professionals remains limited. The workshop will begin with foundational information on the definition of CMV, how the virus is transmitted, and key strategies to prevent exposure—particularly for individuals working closely with young children. Participants will explore incidence and prevalence data to understand CMV's public health significance and examine current research, including new findings on hearing outcomes, developmental impacts, and evolving treatment pathways. The workshop will also focus on supporting families after a CMV diagnosis, including guidance on early intervention referrals, family support, audiologic monitoring, and developmental considerations. Finally, the session will address the importance of reporting congenital CMV and CMV-related hearing loss to public health systems for improved long-term outcomes.
4) Health Equity Think Tank: Health Advancement for Addressing Diverse Population Needs to Focus on the Whole Person
Presenter: Celi Esquivel
In Illinois, we focus on the whole-person view that encompasses clinical, behavioral health, and spiritual impacts on how individuals and their families interact with their healthcare journey to yield the best health outcomes. The two-hour workshop is designed to build upon the day's presentations by facilitating the productive exchange of ideas among participants. It aims to foster innovative group discussions focused on best practices while encouraging the ongoing use of data to examine and enhance the continuum of care. This approach supports collaborative learning and the development of actionable strategies, consistent with recommended practices for data-driven improvement in healthcare environments. Community Health Workers (CHWs), clinicians, IPHA members, and other Public Health administrators are welcome to attend, along with other Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). We also encourage students attending the conference to join this dynamic session and connect with other attendees
Ready to maximize your conference experience? Come join us!