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September 4-5, 2024
Wilmington, North Carolina

Worker Training Program Disaster Supplement Year 2 Meeting banner


Purpose of the Meeting

This meeting was held to learn about training conducted, collaborations, and more from NIEHS WTP award recipients who received funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. These award recipients are using funds to deliver training to populations impacted by recent disasters across the United States and its territories. This was an opportunity to network and enhance connections between NIEHS WTP award recipients, local government, academia, Tribes, and community-based organizations in North Carolina who have a vested interest in disaster preparedness and response, especially in communities that face health, socioeconomic, and environmental burdens.

Agenda

Agenda (399KB)

Presentations

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

TimeTopic
9:00 - 9:20 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions (673KB)

  • Kathy Ahlmark, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) 
  • Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H, NIEHS WTP

Land Acknowledgement

  • Bradley Locklear, Lumbee Tribe of NC

Making a Difference in North Carolina

  • Cassandra Campbell, Robeson County Disaster Recovery Coalition, Inc. (partner of International Chemical Workers Union Council)
9:20 - 10:00 a.m.

Spotlight on Training and Engagement with Carolina Communities

MODERATOR: Kathy Ahlmark, NIEHS WTP 

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. 

Guided Networking

Guided questions will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and network with presenters from the panel, Spotlight on Carolina Communities: 

  • If you do work in the Carolinas, who can you connect and collaborate with on this panel?
  • What issues in the Carolinas relate to the communities you serve?
  • How can you connect with panelists to solve problems?
  • How can we better exchange and share information?
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. 

Break

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Spotlight on Engaging with Migrant, Faith-Based, and Hardly Reached Communities

MODERATOR: Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H., NIEHS WTP

11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Guided Networking

Guided questions will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and network with presenters from the panel, Spotlight on Migrant and Faith-Based Communities:

  • What strategies did you hear in this presentation that you use or think you could use?
  • Which presenters could you connect with to better engage with hardly reached communities?
  • What strategies could you share that might support some concerns discussed on the panel?
  • How can we better exchange and share information?
12:15 - 1:45 p.m. 

Lunch (on your own)

1:45 - 2:15 p.m. 

Clearinghouse Support and Resources (2MB)

  • Deborah Weinstock, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training

Note: Be sure to visit the National Clearinghouse’s information table to learn more about resources and share feedback or suggestions.

2:15 - 3:00 p.m. 

Spotlight on Tribal and Other Hardly Reached Communities

MODERATOR: Amelia Pearson, NIEHS WTP

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Guided Networking

Guided questions will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and network with presenters from the panel, Spotlight on Tribal and Other Hardly Reached Communities:

  • What strategies did you hear in this presentation that you use or think you could use? 
  • Which presenters could you connect with to better engage with Tribal and other hardly reached communities?
  • What strategies could you share that might support some concerns discussed on the panel?
  • How can we better exchange and share information?
     
3:30 - 3:45 p.m. 

Break

3:45 - 4:45 p.m. 

Short Presentations + Mini Roundtable Discussions

MODERATOR: Eric Persaud, Dr.P.H., NIEHS WTP
First 15-20 minutes, presenters will share their expertise and lessons on the topics. The last part of the session will be dedicated to round tables, where attendees can choose the topic of interest and participate in discussions with others at their table. (Attendees will have the option to rotate half-way through the session). 

Heat
Tornados
  • Justin Tristan, ICWUC (855KB)
Hurricanes/Urban Flooding
  • Ben Bobzien, Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of North Carolina and IAFF
4:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Day 1 Reflections, Connections Formed, Goals for Day 2

MODERATOR: Allison Weingarten, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Time Topic
9:00 - 9:20 a.m.

Welcome Day 2: Integrating with a Joint Field Office (2MB)

  • Chip Hughes, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training, Former Director of the NIEHS WTP
9:20 - 10:00 a.m. 

Leveraging Connections with Carolina-Based Organizations (with open discussion)

MODERATOR: Gary Johnson, Jr., NIEHS WTP

10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Short Presentations + Mini Roundtable Discussions Part 2

MODERATOR: Allison Weingarten, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training
First 15-20 minutes, presenters will share their expertise and lessons on the topics. The last part of the session will be dedicated to round tables, where attendees can choose the topic of interest and participate in discussions with others at their table. (Attendees will have the option to rotate half-way through the session).

Community Emergency Response Team
  • Samantha Royster, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Mold/Muck and Gut
Cultural Competency in Disaster Recovery and Resiliency
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Guided Discussion on Connections Made and Next Steps

MODERATOR: Kenda Freeman, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training

11:45 a.m. - Noon

Wrap-up and Adjourn

MODERATOR: Kathy Ahlmark, NIEHS WTP