# Presentation: 727734

## New Innovations in Tribal Training

**New Innovations in Tribal Training**

## New Innovations in Tribal Training

- Paul Andrews – RTI International
-  Michiko Burns – Southern Ute Tribe
-  Dave Wilcox – Gold Systems Inc
- Austin, TX November 28, 2007

**Notes:**
Dave Will introduce each of the presenters and give a brief description of their recent involvement

***

Paul works with Research Triangle institute and recently completed a project working with the Region V Tribes.  He will be talking today about this project with a focus on the Training and Outreach approach that was used.

Michiko is the Water Program Director with the Southern Ute Tribe and will be talking about the how they have addessed sustainability issues with the creation of a peer training network.

I am Dave Wilcox from Gold Systems.  I have been involved with Tribal projects in Regions V, VI, and VIII and will be providing a brief history of how we got to where we are and some ideas we have on future direction.

## STORET and the Region VIII Tribes

- Created WebSIM
- Eliminate need for individual installations
- Address local data management issues
- Regional Data Warehouse
- Data privacy concerns
- Assist with Data Migrations

**Notes:**
When we first approached this task of getting Tribal Data into STORET, we focused on building the tools that would be needed.

## Implement Training and Outreach

- Data Templates
- Created Tutorials
- Regional Trainings / Workshops
- Provide Instruction, not Migration Assistance
- Implemented in Region V and Region VIII

**Notes:**
Once the tools were built, we recognized that many of the tribes would need training and support for both local data management and use of the WebSIM tools.

Paul will be talking in more detail about the efforts that were used in both Region V and Region VIII.

## Sustainability

- Develop a Regional Support Network
- Reduce Contractor Dependence
- Implemented in Region VIII

**Notes:**
The training and outreach efforts were successful, but due to issues such as tribal turnover we were concerned that it might not be sustainable.

Michiko will be providing detail on how this was implemented in Region VIII.

## Region 5 Tribal Project

- Paul Andrews
- RTI International

## EPA Region 5 Tribal STORET Project Collaboration

- Fond du Lac Tribe – Sponsoring Tribe
- EPA Region 5 Tribal Coordinators
- EPA Headquarters
- Gold Systems, Inc
- RTI International
- Region 5 Tribes

**Notes:**
Thanks to participants
Fond du Lac – Large role in initial project planning and structure.  

## Goals of the EPA Region 5 Tribal STORET Project

- Train all of the 33 EPA Region 5 tribes to submit data to STORET
- Get as many tribes as possible in EPA Region 5 to submit data to STORET
- Make it as easy as possible for tribes to submit data to STORET

## Components of Region 5 Tribal STORET Training

- Ongoing Technical Assistance
- 1-on-1 Data Reviews
- Workshop Reports
- Tools Provided for Easier Data Entry
- STORET Template
- WebSIM
- WebSIM Tutorials

## Tribal Template

**Notes:**
Template provides easy guidance for basic formatting of monitoring data.
Contains most important STORET fields.

## Tribal Template Structure

**Notes:**
1st group of tabs – shows descriptive info about fields – guidance on populating
2nd group of tabs – template for input of data
3rd group of tabs – list possible inputs for allowable values fields

## Result Columns

**Notes:**
Lists important fields – links to other tabs
Tells if required, conditional, optional
Length and field type

## Results Data Entry Template

**Notes:**
Type data in
Dropdowns allow for filling allowable values

## Allowable Values

**Notes:**
Highlighted columns show how data must be entered

## WebSIM Tutorials

- Level 1 – Inserting records into STORET
- Level 2 – Troubleshooting Errors

**Notes:**
Teach people how to use WebsIM
Can be used any time to refer to or rerun using WebSIM.

## WebSIM

**Notes:**
Provides an easy pathway to put data into STORET

## Import Configurations

**Notes:**
Allows user to tell WebSIM about the format of their file.
Re-useable for future datasets

## Importing Data

**Notes:**
Easy import – choose configuration and browse to text file on hard drive

## WebSIM Access

**Notes:**
Access was through R5STORET.com,  but moved to EPA Portal for National initiative.
Password protected user account

## Project Outcome

- 33 tribes participated in 1-on-1 and group meetings

**Notes:**
Project successful – high level of participation by tribes

## Project Outcome

- 12 Tribes Entered Data Into STORET (9/30/07)
- Bay Mills Indian Community
- Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa
- Forest County Potawatomi Community
- Grand Portage Band of Chippewa
- Hannahville Tribal Community
- Ho Chunk Nation
- Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa
- Little River Band of Ottowa Indians
- Little Traverse Bands of Odawa Indians
- Mole Lake Chippewa
- Stockbridge-Munsee Community
- Upper Sioux Indian Community

**Notes:**
Other tribes are close to getting data in

## Lessons Learned

- Involving laboratories worked extremely well
- Less effort needed when tribes request lab results electronically
- Some labs agreed to enter field measurements, which helped streamline the process

## Lessons Learned

- General sessions helped to introduce the project and gain support
- 1-on-1 data reviews worked well to inform staff of the steps to format their data
- Receiving data in advance of workshop allowed better preparation

**Notes:**
1-on-1 helped to target specific data needs of tribe

## Lessons Learned

- Staff turnover is an issue – backup personnel encouraged
- Ongoing monthly support invaluable after training
- There are benefits to entering data more frequently

**Notes:**
Lessons Learned are being used in National Tribal STORET effort
Thanks again to all of the participants

## Region 8 – Peer Training Network

- Michiko Burns
- Southern Ute Tribe

## Issues encountered in Region VIII

- Complexity - Lack of technical experience within tribal programs
-  Use of varied spreadsheets and statistical tools i.e. Dazzler, IMLink, Access, Excel
- Regional trainings – Several trainings were held in remote reservation areas within Region VIII

**Notes:**
STORET is new technology and information exchange development
Users need a thorough understanding of water programs, data interpretation and IT abilities
Finding talented tribal individuals with the skill needed is difficult because of the remoteness

## Employment turnover – Trained staff were offered more opportunities with other tribal offices or outside agencies/entities
Sustainability – Without trained staff, tribal programs were unable to continue
Cost effectiveness – Overall cost to program to provide trainings was prohibitive

- Sustainability – Without trained staff, tribal programs were unable to continue
- Cost effectiveness – Overall cost to program to provide trainings was prohibitive

- Issues encountered in Region VIII

## USEPA Region VIII

## Development of the Peer Training Network (PTN)

- Select willing participants from across the Region
- Provide in-depth training to the peer trainers
- Work with peer trainers to become proficient in the tools
- Peer trainers then provide regional training and support

**Notes:**
SUIT and GS had preliminarily identified specific users to become trainers
Trainers are required to complete a intensive training with the STORET and with all the tools that are available and have completed all the tutorials to address formatting and error messages.  
Once GS and SUIT feel trainers are competent and able to train others, they used to assist others.  Trainers have a direct line to GS for technical issues that are unknow at the time and that need to be resolved immediately.

## Selection of Peer Trainers

- Identifying experienced users across the region through interviews
- Technical experience and willingness to train others was a key element to the interviews
- How much time could trainers offer to tribes in their areas
- Approval from the trainers directors was needed

**Notes:**
SUIT and GS developed questionnaire of select individuals concerning their technical experience, comfort level with the program and willingness to assist others.  Also needed to get director buyoff in this endeavor

## PTN Management 

- Initial and annual meetings with trainers to discuss technical support issues
- Conference calls between SU, GS and trainers occur monthly.  Trainers update SU and GS on training issues and tutorial needs
- Need for streamlined procedures were identified (i.e. Assistance Request and travel reimbursement forms)

## Tribal Benefits

- Trainers are localized.  Can provide timely support via on-site visit or phone
- More tribal staff are trained in an office leads to sustainability
- Trainers have ability to contact GS for immediate support

## Tribal Successes

**BEFORE****	**
- 6 regional tribes  trained at 4 regional trainings
- GS formatted and migrated data into individual warehouses
- Tribal involvement was minimal
- Training cost ~1/3 of project budget

**AFTER**
- 9 tribes received individual on-site trainings
- Tribes continuing to format and import data into STORET
- 19 tribes migrated data into Regional Warehouse
- Tribal involvement and ownership achieved

## Future Needs

- On-site trainings and phone support to tribes on-going
- Additional tutorials will be developed to address issues that are identified by trainers
- Trainers will be instrumental in continuing support in the transition to WQX and with use of the XML generational tool

## Next Steps -Transition to WQX

- Dave Wilcox
- Gold Systems, Inc.

**Notes:**
Talk about future direction of Tribal projects

## Future Direction

- Region V Move to National
- Apply Lessons Learned to National Project
- 2008 Region VIII Tribal Project
- WQX Database
- Peer Training Support
- Focus on Data Quality and Usability
- Peer Trainers as Focus Group
- Tribal Use of the XML Gen Tool

## Remarks

- Thanks again to all who collaborated in this effort
- Thursday 1-3 pm – Tribal STORET Workshop