Technical Assistance

The ICRC, with affiliated faculty both at WVU and at other Institutions across the nation and internationally, represents a locus of scientific and technical expertise in public health injury prevention and control.  We use the term “technical assistance” (TA) here to describe a broad range of activities involving expert or specialized support not only in the design, implementation and evaluation of injury prevention interventions and programs, but also in related activities associated with the public health approach to injury prevention.  For example, an ICRC partner might need a literature search/synthesis performed that identifies and describes an array of potential prevention program options for state or local application.  Or, a Center partner at the community level may need assistance in designing, implementing, and evaluating a health communication program or campaign that addresses a local prevention priority.  A partner may simply request advice as it develops a strategic plan and establishes program priorities.  In other cases, Center faculty may mentor or train state or local practitioners in identifying relevant databases, collecting and analyzing injury data, searching and interpreting research literature, developing and conducting a survey, or developing, implementing and evaluating an intervention.

The Center is particularly interested in becoming the trusted source of TA for partner organizations at the front lines of intervention, prevention program, and policy development, delivery, and evaluation in Appalachia. 

In its continuing discussions with partner state VIPP Directors, ICRC staff will be seeking to determine agencies’ perceived TA needs.  Specific TA opportunities that are based upon Center expertise will be discussed, along with additional areas of need brought up by the state.  Specific needs of individual state/local programs, as well as general needs that appear to be shared by multiple agencies, will be cataloged and prioritized by Center leadership, essentially to formulate an action plan that will guide an immediate response by ICRC to the needs judged most pressing. 

Opportunities for requesting TA will be available via a TA Webpage request form on the Center Website (coming soon), and other notifications that provide e-mail addresses, links, phone numbers, etc. through which requests may be made. The Assistant Director for Outreach will field TA requests, solicit assistance from relevant faculty affiliates as necessary, coordinate the timely response, and follow up with requesters to ensure results and obtain feedback. Over time, a database of TA solutions will be formed that will be of use in streamlining the request/response process.