COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING TRAINING: 

Guidance, Resources, And Sample Training Plan
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Contents

Identify Strategies To Reduce Spread of COVID-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Identify The Primary Components of COVID-19 Contact Tracing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

List Requirements For Protecting Health Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Describe COVID-19 Contact Tracing Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Apply COVID-19 Online Knowledge and Contact Tracing Protocol to Realistic Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Identify Jurisdiction-Specific Contact Tracing Tools and Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Analyze Contact Tracing Encounters for Continuous Quality Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Training Catalog By Learning Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO REDUCE SPREAD OF COVID-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: The Basics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 

(COVID-19) – Lesson 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control . . . . . . . . . . 7

COVID-19 Public Health Strategy Basic Concepts – NDPHTN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Boots on the Ground Part 1: Foundational Epidemiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

COVID-19 Contact Investigation Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

COVID-19 Real-Time Legal Response: Focus on Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Social Distancing Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control in the Household (Microlearning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

IDENTIFY THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: The Basics of Contact Tracing – Lesson 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: Effective Communication and Interviews – Lesson 3 . . . . . . . 10

Learning objectives: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: Case Monitoring and Resources – Lesson 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Public Health 101 Series – Introduction to Public Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control . . . . . . . . . 11

Covid-19 Epidemiology Grand Rounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

An Introduction to Follow-up for Positive COVID-19 Cases and their close Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

General Contact Tracing Phone Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Interviewing Unit 5: Cluster Interviews and Re-Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

COVID-19 Contact Investigation Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Effective Interviewing for Contact Investigation: Self-Study Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Introduction to Telephone Interviewing for DIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

COVID-19 Public Health Strategy Basic Concepts – NDPHTN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CERC Overview for COVID-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Communication Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Disaster Health Core Curriculum: Competency 4: Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

COVID-19 Case and Contact Investigations Training for Tribes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Guide to Providing Effective Communication and Language Assistance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cultural Competency Program for Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Implicit Bias in Public Health Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cross-Cultural Communications Cognition and Linguistics-NDPHTN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Cultural Humility: People, Principles, and Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Culturally Competent Public Health Practice for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Other files and webpages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

LIST REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTING HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: The Basics of Contact Tracing – Lesson 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

IDPH Office of Health Protection Data Security & Confidentiality Guideline Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

HIPAA Awareness – Module 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ADH HIPAA Privacy and Security Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Health Information Privacy and Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

COVID-19: Data Sharing for Public Health Surveillance, Investigation and Intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Information Privacy & Security (IPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Data Management in Disasters & Public Health Emergencies Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
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Background: This document contains a sample training plan including training topics that may be helpful for state and local 

public health jurisdictions to consider when designing their own training plan for COVID-19 contact tracers. Each heading 

represents the learning objective for that section. Suggested training modalities/formats are provided, as well as information 

about sample existing trainings and resources. This document may be updated as new resources become available. For the 

purposes of this document, contact tracers are those who notify close contacts of COVID-19 patients of their exposures.

Overall Training Goal: After completing all training below, learners should be able to conduct contact tracing according to the 

established protocol. If seeking a sample training plan, trainings, and resources for case investigators, please refer to the case 

investigator training plan here. 

Target Audience: Community health workers or volunteers with little or no experience conducting contact tracing.

Content describing non-CDC tools on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to indicate 

endorsement, actual or implied, of the tools. Additionally, information on this site is provided “as is,” for users to evaluate and make 

their own determination as to their effectiveness.

Identify Strategies To Reduce Spread of COVID-19

For this section, self-paced online training (e.g., curated reading list, videos, or eLearning course) is suggested. Inclusion of a 

post-test is strongly recommended.

Background

■ General 

■ Epidemiology and surveillance principles

■ Update on current emergency response

COVID-19 disease specific information 

■ Signs/symptoms, and routes of transmission 

■ Incubation period and infectious period 

■ Testing

■ Diagnosis and current management 

■ Prevention and control (including self-isolation for patients and self-quarantine for contacts)

Ways to prevent spread of COVID-19

■ General precautions (e.g., social distancing)

■ Role of public health, case investigation, and contact tracing in reducing spread 

■ Other ways to reduce spread

Identify The Primary Components of COVID-19 Contact Tracing

A variety of modalities would be appropriate, including live webinar/teleconference, recorded webinar, or a self-paced eLearning 

course. Inclusion of a post-test is strongly recommended.

Introduction to US public health system and how contact tracing fits in

■ General

Relevant terminology

■ Public health jurisdiction’s contact tracing terminology 

■ Terms that may be used in other jurisdictions (e.g., other states, federal)
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Introduction to contract tracing

■ General 

■ Define contact tracing

■ Describe basic steps of contract tracing

» Test

» Investigation and elicitation

» Trace

» Quarantine or isolate

» Follow-up

■ Describe skills and qualities necessary for contact tracers

» Motivational interviewing skills

» Risk communication skills

» Cultural sensitivity

» Adaptations for contacts with communication impairments and non-English speakers

List Requirements For Protecting Health Information

Self-paced online training (e.g., curated reading list, videos, or eLearning course) is suggested. Inclusion of a post-test is 

strongly recommended. 

Overview of health information privacy/security

■ Why it is important to protect health information

■ Potential consequences if data are not protected

Health information privacy and confidentiality

■ Oath of confidentiality, if applicable in the jurisdiction

Health information data security

Ethics of data collection during an outbreak

Describe COVID-19 Contact Tracing Protocol 

Live training (whether through videoconference or a live course on a learning management system) or an eLearning course 

with knowledge checks is suggested so that learners can receive immediate feedback. Inclusion of a post-test – as well as an 

electronic guide describing jurisdiction-specific protocols – is strongly recommended.

Describe in detail the actions and requirements associated with each step of the contact tracing process

■ Test

■ Investigation and elicitation

■ Trace

■ Quarantine or isolate

■ Follow-up

Learn what “a day in the life” of a contact tracer looks like by hearing from an experienced contact tracer

Question-and-answer session
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Apply COVID-19 Online Knowledge and Contact Tracing Protocol to Realistic Scenarios

Live training (whether through videoconference or a live course on a learning management system) is suggested so that learners 

can receive real-time feedback and ask questions. Breakout sessions with smaller groups could be effective if multiple trainers or 

facilitators are available.

Review contact tracing protocol

Apply contact tracing protocol to the following scenarios:

■ Recent contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 but no signs/symptoms

■ Recent contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 with signs/symptoms

■ Someone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 with no history of ill contacts

■ Feedback from trainer(s)/facilitator(s)

Practice handling difficult calls

■ Role play with trainer/facilitator feedback

Identify Jurisdiction-Specific Contact Tracing Tools and Protocols

An electronic guide, self-paced asynchronous eLearning, or live training (whether through videoconference or a live course 

on a learning management system) describing jurisdiction-specific protocols and resources is suggested, along with opportunities 

to answer contact tracers’ questions via teleconference and an online frequently asked questions (FAQ) document that is regularly 

updated based on teleconference discussions and other feedback from the field. 

Receiving assignments

Documenting calls

■ Specifics of local processes and data collection 

Working with non-English-speaking contacts

Working with contacts who have communication-impairments

Follow-up resources for contacts

Discussion of how contact tracers should share insights from the field – points of contact, regular check-in 

calls or webinars, online FAQ, etc.

Analyze Contact Tracing Encounters for Continuous Quality Improvement 

Virtual coaching and mentoring are suggested to provide opportunities for continuous quality improvement of contact tracing 

encounters. 

Listening in on calls for quality 

Using a rubric to documents contact tracers’ competencies and areas for improvement

Follow up discussion between supervisors and contact tracers on methods to improve the quality of the contact tracing experience 
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Training Catalog By Learning Objective

IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO REDUCE SPREAD OF COVID-19

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: 

The Basics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Lesson 1

Topic areas: Background, signs/symptoms, general precautions, testing, prevention and control, other ways to reduce spread

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091302/compilation

■ Target audience: Contact tracers and new case investigators

■ Description: Contact tracers must understand the basics of coronavirus disease transmission in order to perform contact 

tracing and disease intervention activities effectively. Lesson one (The Basics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)) 

will provide an overview of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including its incubation and infectious period, 

symptoms, and how to prevent it. Please note, lessons must be completed in order from one to four.

Lesson 1 learning objectives:

1. Describe what COVID-19 is

2. Describe how to prevent COVID-19 transmission

3. List symptoms of COVID-19

4. Define social distancing, quarantine, and isolation

5. Describe the incubation and infectious period

Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, 

response and control

Topic area: Background

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090092/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: This course provides a general introduction to COVID-19.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the nature of emerging respiratory viruses, how to detect and assess an outbreak, strategies for preventing 

and controlling outbreaks due to novel respiratory viruses

2. Describe strategies that should be used to communicate risk and engage communities to detect, prevent and respond 

to the emergence of a novel respiratory virus

COVID-19 Public Health Strategy Basic Concepts – NDPHTN

Topic areas: Epidemiology and surveillance principles, signs/symptoms, testing, prevention and control, general precautions

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090675/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides a basic background to the COVID-19 pandemic and describe the important steps to flatten the 

curve of COVID-19. Also provides an overview of crisis communication strategies and coordinating crisis response.

Learning objectives:

1. Review coronavirus history

2. Review COVID-19 characteristics

3. Discuss 6 concepts to flatten the curve

4. Review the 10 social distancing recommendations

5. Review COVID-19 testing concepts

6. Discuss how cocooning protects high-risk individuals

7. Discuss key concepts of crisis communications in 

pandemics
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Boots on the Ground Part 1: Foundational Epidemiology

Topic area: Epidemiology and surveillance principles

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1076135/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals and others without a background in epidemiology

■ Description: Provides basic principles of epidemiology and public health practice. Includes key terms used in 

epidemiologic and explains types of epidemiology research.

Learning objectives:

1. Define epidemiology

2. Describe the key factors impacting the incidence and spread of disease, injury, or health outcome 

(i.e. agent, host, environment)

3. Describe basic key terms in epidemiology

4. Describe distribution of disease, injury, or health outcomes and understand bias, validity, and reliability in assessing 

public health problems

5. Identify bias, validity, and reliability

6. Identify research methods

COVID-19 Contact Investigation Training

Topic area: Signs/symptoms

■ View: https://www.ncsddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FINAL-COVID19-Contact-Training-03112020.pdf 

■ Target audience: Case and contact investigators

■ Description: This course covers background information on COVID-19, tools that Washington State is using for case 

investigation, interviewing techniques, and resources for case and contact investigations.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss COVID-19 background

2. Discuss case investigation tools

3. Identify investigation interview techniques

4. Discuss types of contact follow-up

5. Identify COVID case and contact investigation 

resources

COVID-19 Real-Time Legal Response: Focus on Quarantine, Isolation, and 

Other Social Distancing Powers

Topic area: General precautions, prevention and control 

■ Register: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/course/1090658/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Following a brief series of COVID-19 legal updates, this real-time session will focus on an array of social 

distancing legal responses among federal, state, and local authorities, notably quarantine, isolation, school and other 

closures, and proposed “lockdowns.” After an initial presentation, your questions and comments will be addressed.

Learning objectives:

1. Assess the legal bases for social distancing in response to COVID-19

2. Understand the core legal steps to engage quarantine and isolation

3. Consider varied powers of federal, state and local governments to institute school or other closures

4. Explore the constitutional limits of proposed lockdowns and other aggressive social distancing measures
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COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control in the Household (Microlearning)

Topic area: General precautions

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090934/ 

■ Target audience: General public health staff

■ Description: This microlearning is designed to take 15 minutes. You will learn about instructions to give your patients 

who are taking care of a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the household.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures for the household

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) webpages

Topic area: Epidemiology

■ Cases, Data, and Surveillance

Topic area: Signs/symptoms

■ Symptoms of Coronavirus

Topic area: Update on current emergency response

■ CDC in Action

Topic area: Prevention and control 

■ Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation

Topic areas: General precautions

■ Prevent Getting Sick

Topic area: Testing

■ Testing for COVID-19

IDENTIFY THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING 

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: 

The Basics of Contact Tracing – Lesson 2

Topic areas: Relevant terminology, define contact tracing, investigation and elicitation, trace, quarantine or isolate

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091302/compilation

■ Target audience: Contact tracers

■ Description: The goal of lesson 2 (The Basics of Contact Tracing) is to provide an overview of the principles that will 

guide your work as a contact tracer. You will have the opportunity to learn basic definitions of contact tracing, gain an 

understanding of the steps involved, and become aware of the importance of confidentiality. Please note, lessons must 

be completed in order from one to four.

Learning objectives:

1. Define person under investigation (PUI), contact, and 

contact tracing

2. Describe the objectives of contact tracing

3. List four fundamentals of contact tracing

4. Describe the importance of privacy protections

5. Identify the four main steps involved in the contact 

tracing process
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Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: 

Effective Communication and Interviews – Lesson 3

Topic areas: Motivational interviewing skills, risk communication skills, cultural sensitivity, adaptations for contacts with 

communication impairments 

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091302/compilation

■ Target audience: Contact tracers and case investigators

■ Description: As a contact tracer, you will conduct interviews with people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. 

Depending on how your team is organized, you may also conduct interviews with persons under investigation (PUIs). 

Lesson 3 (Effective Communication and Interviews) will provide information on how to use effective communication 

techniques, prepare for and conduct an interview, and approach your interactions with cultural humility. Some of 

these terms may be new to you, and we’ll cover them as we move through the lesson. Please note, lessons must be 

completed in order from one to four.

Learning objectives:

1. Name at least three communication techniques for effective interviewing

2. Explain the importance of showing cultural humility during case interviews

3. Describe how to prepare for an interview

4. Explain the four parts of an interview

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: 

Case Monitoring and Resources – Lesson 4

Topic areas: Relevant terminology, follow-up

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091302/compilation

■ Target audience: Contact tracers and case investigators

■ Description: Case investigators and contact tracers will follow-up and monitor cases (PUIs or their contacts) to 

ensure they are following appropriate isolation or quarantine instructions and to track the development of any 

potential COVID-19 symptoms. Lesson 4 (Case Monitoring and Resources) will provide information on the different 

types of case monitoring and the activities you might be involved in. Please note, lessons must be completed in order 

from one to four.

Learning objectives:

1. Explain the difference between the two types of case monitoring

2. Describe potential follow-up activities that may be required during monitoring

3. Identify the types of resources and services that may be provided during the monitoring period.

4. Explain what it means to escalate or “refer up” a case that needs more help than you’re able to provide

Public Health 101 Series – Introduction to Public Health

Topic area: Introduction to U.S. public health

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1059661/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals and others without formal training in public health

■ Description: This course introduces learners to the mission of public health and key terms in the field. The course covers 

historical developments in public health, the roles of different stakeholders, public health’s core functions and essential 

services, determinants of health, and the Health Impact Pyramid.
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Learning objectives:

1. Describe the purpose of public health

2. Define key terms used in public health

3. Identify prominent events in the history 

of public health

4. Recognize the core public health functions and 

essential services

5. Describe the role of different stakeholders in the field 

of public health

6. List determinants of health

7. Recognize how individual determinants of health 

affect population health

Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, 

response and control

Topic area: Introduction to contact tracing

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090092/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: This course provides a general introduction to COVID-19.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the nature of emerging respiratory viruses, how to detect and assess an outbreak, strategies for preventing 

and controlling outbreaks due to novel respiratory viruses

2. Describe strategies that should be used to communicate risk and engage communities to detect, prevent and respond 

to the emergence of a novel respiratory virus

Covid-19 Epidemiology Grand Rounds

Topic area: Introduction to contact tracing

■ Watch: https://www.facebook.com/ucsfepibiostat/videos/275226896828213/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides epidemiology updates on COVID-19, including impact of social distancing, health disparities, and 

comprehensive section on contact tracing (begins around 48:00).

Learning objectives:

Not available

An Introduction to Follow-up for Positive COVID-19 Cases and their close Contacts

Topic area: Introduction to contact tracing

■ View: http://www.maventrainingsite.com/maven-help/pdf/LBOH%20Presentation%20COVID-19%20Case%20

Investigation%20Introductory%20Training%20Webinar_April8.pdf 

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides an overview of COVID-19 transmission, testing, and common vocabulary. Describes contact 

tracing and interview tools.

Learning objectives:

Not available
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General Contact Tracing Phone Calls

Topic area: Define contact tracing

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091008/

■ Target audience: Volunteer callers for Michigan

■ Description: This training is a generalized contact tracing training to prepare volunteers for assisting and completing 

contact calls for persons who have been exposed to COVID19. The training briefly describes why contact training is 

important and what the process of contact training calls entails.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss what is contact tracing and why it is important

2. Discuss how to de-escalate difficult conversations

3. Discuss the script when calling someone exposed

4. Describe resources available to you to answer questions

5. Review how you will be receiving contacts, how you should be documenting and sharing the information you have 

gathered, to whom you should be reporting, and how often

Interviewing Unit 5: Cluster Interviews and Re-Interviews

Topic area: Motivational interviewing skills

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1089364/

■ Target audience: STD partner services providers

■ Description: Provides elements of cluster interviews for STD partner services providers. Includes the format of the 

interview and tips for providing risk reduction messages.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify the reasons and conditions for conducting a Cluster Interview, including planning

2. Identify the elements of the Cluster Interview format and the difference in formats between a Cluster Interview and an 

Original Interview

3. Explain the process for choosing a Cluster candidate

COVID-19 Contact Investigation Training

Topic area: Motivational interviewing skills

■ View: https://www.ncsddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FINAL-COVID19-Contact-Training-03112020.pdf 

■ Target audience: Case and contact investigators

■ Description: This course covers background information on COVID-19, tools that Washington State is using for case 

investigation, interviewing techniques, and resources for case and contact investigations.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss COVID-19 background

2. Discuss case investigation tools

3. Identify investigation interview techniques

4. Discuss types of contact follow-up

5. Identify COVID case and contact investigation resources
13

Effective Interviewing for Contact Investigation: Self-Study Modules

Topic area: Motivational interviewing skills

■ View: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/guidestoolkits/interviewing/tbinterviewing_ssmodules.pdf 

■ Target audience: TB interviewers

■ Description: This resource will offer guidance to both new and experienced TB interviewers about how to communicate 

clearly with patients under various circumstances. Consists of 4 modules, including an overview of the TB interview for 

contact investigations, basics of communication and patient education, cultural competency, and special interview 

circumstances.

Learning objectives:

1. Define a TB interview

2. Formulate a TB interview strategy

3. Identify who requires a TB interview and for what 

reasons

4. Prioritize TB interviews based on various factors

5. Determine an infectious period for contact 

identification

6. Conduct a TB interview in a logical and 

productive manner

7. Conduct a re-interview asking the appropriate followup questions

8. Explain why patient education is important in the TB 

interview process

9. Define communication

10. Identify verbal and nonverbal patient cues and their 

meanings

11. Use closed, open-ended, and focused questions to 

gather descriptive, yet targeted information

12. Utilize the techniques of reflection, paraphrasing, and 

summarizing to affect the course of the interview

13. Address and overcome communication barriers 

Select, and communicate through, an appropriate 

interpreter

14. Apply effective communication concepts to patient 

education

15. Describe the concepts of culture and cultural 

competency

16. Identify various factors that contribute to an 

individual’s culture

17. Understand why cultural competency is essential in TB 

interviewing

18. Assess the communication process based on a 

patient’s verbal and nonverbal cues

19. Limit the barriers of language, dialect, lifestyle, and 

belief differences during an interview

20. Describe how TB interviews may vary depending on 

the patient’s life circumstances

21. Decide when to use, how to choose, and how to 

interview a proxy

22. Conduct a source case interview by selecting an 

appropriate interviewee and eliciting appropriate 

contact and exposure setting information

23. Conduct interviews in outbreak circumstances

24. Understand social network analysis and the role the 

interviewer plays

Introduction to Telephone Interviewing for DIS

Topic area: Motivational interviewing skills

■ Watch: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090632

■ Target audience: STD partner services providers

■ Description: This module will introduce partner services providers (i.e., DIS) to the basic principles and best practices for 

conducting telephone interviews. It covers professionalism, confidentiality and cultural competency. Learners also learn 

how to prepare for and conduct a telephone interview.

Learning objectives:

1. Demonstrate confidence when planning and conducting telephone interviews

2. Understand principles and best practices for conducting telephone interviews

3. Improve communication skills and maximize interviewing effectiveness
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COVID-19 Public Health Strategy Basic Concepts – NDPHTN

Topic area: Risk communication skills

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090675/external icon

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides a basic background to the COVID-19 pandemic and describe the important steps to flatten the 

curve of COVID-19. Also provides an overview of crisis communication strategies and coordinating crisis response.

Learning objectives:

1. Review coronavirus history

2. Review COVID-19 characteristics

3. Discuss 6 concepts to flatten the curve

4. Review the 10 social distancing recommendations

5. Review COVID-19 testing concepts

6. Discuss how cocooning protects high risk individuals

7. Discuss key concepts of crisis communications in 

pandemics

CERC Overview for COVID-19

Topic area: Risk communication skills

■ Watch: https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/training/webinar_20200406.asp

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides an overview of crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) principles and their application 

to COVID-19 messages.

Learning objectives:

1. Define the six crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) principles

2. Describe the lifecycle of CERC and how communication works at each phase of a crisis

3. Describe how emergency risk communication is different from regular communication

4. Describe the psychology of a crisis

5. Describe the process for gathering audience feedback

6. Describe how to tailor messages to target audiences

7. Develop a crisis communication plan

8. List best practices of a spokesperson

9. Explain best practices for engaging stakeholders through communication during an emergency

Communication Skills

Topic area: Risk communication skills

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1089357/

■ Target audience: STD partner services providers

■ Description: Provides learners with an understanding of the basic communication skills necessary for partner services 

providers, and to give them opportunities to practice those communication skills. This module also focuses on various 

problem solving techniques, and the importance of maintaining an assertive stance.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe factors associated with good communication

2. Identify barriers to communication

3. Define assertive, non-assertive, and aggressive communication and explain the distinctions between them
15

Disaster Health Core Curriculum: Competency 4: Communication

Topic area: Risk communication skills

■ Watch: https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/training/webinar_20200406.asp

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Provides relevant, actionable guidance on applied principles and practices of crisis risk communication in 

public health emergencies and disasters.

Learning objectives:

1. Explain the operational relevance of the following concepts in the context of public health crisis risk communication: 

risk perception, mental noise, trust determination, and negative dominance

2. Explain the relevance of cultural competency in the context of public health emergency risk communication

3. Identify strategies to communicate in a culturally competent fashion in public health emergencies and disaster events

4. Identify authoritative sources for information gathering in a public health crisis and disasters that can inform effective 

emergency risk communication during and after these events

5. Demonstrate the features and utility of a message map as a tool for public health emergency risk communication

Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1078759/ 

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: The purpose of this web-based training program is to educate health professionals about public health 

literacy and their role in providing health information and services and promoting public health literacy. The course 

uses a 508-compliant template, knowledge checks, scenario-based interactions, video clips, and a post-test to engage 

learners. The course includes an evaluation, glossary, and resource list.

Learning objectives:

1. Define public health literacy

2. List factors that influence public health literacy

3. Identify who is affected by public health literacy

4. Identify consequences of limited public health 

literacy

5. Determine who the stakeholders in public health 

literacy are

6. Recognize the role of public health literacy in 

meeting core public health services

7. Apply lessons learned to improve public health 

literacy

COVID-19 Case and Contact Investigations Training for Tribes

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity

■ Watch: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/9127662154523742734

■ View slides: https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.172.232/tvl.3bf.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SlidesCase-and-Contact-Investigations-Training-for-Tribes-03-27-2020.pdf 

■ Target audience: Native American tribes

■ Description: This course provides information for tribes to help them determine whether they will conduct case and 

contact investigations for COVID-19 or defer to Washington State. Additionally, the course provides training for tribal 

staff to conduct case and contact investigations.
16

Learning objectives:

1. Describe why case and contact investigation is 

important for Tribes

2. Discuss COVID-19 background

3. Identify investigation interview techniques

4. Discuss case investigation tools

5. Discuss public health recommendations for contacts

6. Discuss types of contact follow-up

7. Identify COVID case and contact investigation 

resources

The Guide to Providing Effective Communication and Language Assistance Services

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity, adaptations for contacts with hearing impairments

■ Register: https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/education/communication-guide

■ Target audience: Health care providers 

■ Description: The Guide will help your organization communicate in a way that considers the cultural, health literacy, and 

language needs of your patients.

Learning objectives:

1. Cross-cultural communication skills

2. Verbal communication strategies 

3. Written communication strategies

4. Notice of communication and language assistance 

services

Cultural Competency Program for Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response 

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity

■ Register: https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/education/disaster-personnel

■ Target audience: Any disaster or emergency response personnel interested in learning more about culturally and 

linguistically appropriate services

■ Description: Research shows that cultural minority groups suffer disproportionately during every phase of a disaster. 

This e-learning program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to best serve all individuals, 

regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Learning objectives:

1. Course 1 provides an introduction to CLAS and its relevance to disaster preparedness and crisis response.

2. Course 2 covers how to provide CLAS during the preparation phase of a disaster, including conducting a community 

needs assessment

3. Course 3 covers how to provide CLAS during the response phase of a disaster, including meeting physical and mental 

health needs

4. Course 4 covers how to provide CLAS during the recovery phase of a disaster, including rebuilding neighborhoods

Implicit Bias in Public Health Practice 

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity

■ Register: https://www.mitrainingcenter.org/courses/ibpha1219

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: The field of public health increasingly focuses on health equity and population health outcomes. While 

systemic factors are major drivers of inequities, what is the role of the individual? This recorded webinar will introduce 

the idea of implicit bias and how it is relevant to all public health professionals, regardless of discipline or role in an 
17

agency. Participants will learn key definitions, examine data showing the implications of implicit bias in public health, 

and discuss some strategies to prevent it. Ultimately, no matter how well-intended, we all have some biases we can 

address to improve our positive impact on population health and on each other.

Learning objectives:

1. Define implicit bias and its relation to public health practice

2. Reflect on personal and professional biases

3. Introduce bias busting techniques

Cross-Cultural Communications Cognition and Linguistics-NDPHTN

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity 

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1087168/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: This training is facilitated through the North Dakota Public Health Training network to explain crosscultural communications, cognition and linguistics

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the process of developing meaning in message respondents

2. Explain how meaning transfer relates to the communications model

3. Recognize the importance of the seven dimensions of cultural distance in cross-cultural communications

4. Describe the tri-systemic model of cognition and how that model applies to public health communications

5. Demonstrate the importance of stories for transmitting meaning in relationship cultures

6. Describe the breadth of worldwide languages and dialects

7. Describe the role of languages

8. Describe three basic steps to overcome language barriers

9. Explain the importance of horizontal communicators in effective community messaging

10. Briefly explain the importance of the semantic differential and language impact on culture 

Cultural Humility: People, Principles, and Practice

Topic area: Cultural sensitivity

■ Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaSHLbS1V4w

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: "Cultural Humility: People, Principles and Practices," is a 30-minute documentary by San Francisco State 

professor Vivian Chávez, that mixes poetry with music, interviews, archival footage, and images of community, nature 

and dance to explain what Cultural Humility is and why we need it. The film describes a set of principles that guide the 

thinking, behavior and actions of individuals and institutions to positively affect interpersonal relationships as well as 

systems change. 

Learning objectives:

1. Lifelong learning and critical self-reflection

2. Recognizing and changing power imbalances

3. Developing institutional accountability
18

Culturally Competent Public Health Practice for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations

Topic area: Adaptations for contacts with hearing impairments

■ Register: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/main/1087468/

■ Target audience: Public health and healthcare professionals

■ Description: This training will present tools and knowledge for working with the deaf and hard of hearing community, 

as well as common misconceptions about deaf culture and sub-cultures within the community.

Learning objectives:

1. Create awareness of deaf culture and sub-cultures within the deaf community

2. Discuss the benefits and importance of working with a sign interpreter

3. Identify gaps in health literacy among the deaf community

4. Formulate best methods for working with deaf and hard-of-hearing community

Other files and webpages

Topic area: Introduction to U.S. public health

■ The Public Health System & the 10 Essential Public Health Services

» Agency name: CDC

Topic area: Trace

■ Coronavirus – Known Contact to a Confirmed Case of Coronavirus Messaging Guide 

» Agency name: Public Health Madison and Dade County

■ COVID-19 Contact Investigation Interim Script

» Agency name: Washington Department of Health Resource

■ Form for Interviewing Community Contacts Suspected and Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-2019) Cases

» Agency name: Virginia Department of Health

LIST REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTING HEALTH 

Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers: 

The Basics of Contact Tracing – Lesson 2

Topic areas: Health information privacy and confidentiality

Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1091302/compilation

Target audience: Contact tracers

Description: The goal of lesson 2 (The Basics of Contact Tracing) is to provide an overview of the principles that will guide your 

work as a contact tracer. You will have the opportunity to learn basic definitions of contact tracing, gain an understanding of the 

steps involved, and become aware of the importance of confidentiality. Please note, lessons must be completed in order from one 

to four.

Learning objectives:

1. Define PUI, contact, and contact tracing

2. Describe the objectives of contact tracing

3. List four fundamentals of contact tracing

4. Describe the importance of privacy protections

5. Identify the four main steps involved in the contact tracing process
19

IDPH Office of Health Protection Data Security & Confidentiality Guideline Training

Topic areas: Health information privacy/security, health information data security

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1058826/

■ Target audience: Local public health staff who have access to confidential information

■ Description: The purpose of this training is to provide an overview of the Data Security and Confidentiality Guidelines 

developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health Office of Health Protection and review the federal and state 

statutes, rules, and regulations that address the legal protection of confidential health information. This course also 

outlines the standards and requirements for state and local health department staff as well as community based 

organizations in the collection, transmission, storage, and maintenance of confidential information.

Learning objectives:

1. Provide an overview of the Data Security and Confidentiality Guidelines

2. Review federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations regarding health information

3. Outline the standards and requirements for state and local health department staff as well as community-based 

organizations in the collection, transmission, storage, and maintenance of confidential information

4. Understand your role in keeping data secure in terms of: data collection, data sharing and release, and physical security

HIPAA Awareness – Module 1

Topic areas: Health information privacy and confidentiality

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1047429/

■ Target audience: Public health and healthcare professionals

■ Description: This 20-minute HIPAA Awareness Training was developed by the Kansas Department of Health and 

Environment and is provided for the convenience of Kansas public health and healthcare agencies. We recommend this 

course for new employees, employees who have not had HIPAA training in the past or as a refresher course.

Learning objectives:

1. Explain the source of HIPAA

2. Identify two HIPAA rules

3. Indicate two on-site HIPAA information sources

4. Identify two violation consequences

ADH HIPAA Privacy and Security Training

Topic areas: Health information privacy and confidentiality

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1009552/

■ Target audience: General Public Health Staff

■ Description: This training is designed to help educate Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) staff concerning HIPAA 

legislation, the proper use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI), the proper safeguards for confidential 

information including electronic protected health information (ePHI) or other confidential information), and highlights 

from ADH HIPAA Policies and Procedures. It is not intended to replace ADH Policies.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe HIPAA

2. Discuss the proper use and disclosure of protected health information

3. Identify safeguards for confidential information including electronic protected health information

4. Explain ADH HIPAA Policies and Procedures
20

Health Information Privacy and Confidentiality

Topic areas: Health information privacy and confidentiality

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1065718/

■ Target audience: Allied health professionals, nurses, general public health staff, information systems professionals

■ Description: Medical records are subject to privacy and confidentiality. This webinar will explore existing regulations 

and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as it relates to patient information. As we embark 

on the age of highly efficient technological capabilities, the ability to protect medical records has many challenges. 

Building public trust brings awareness to how privacy and confidentiality are properly handled through the course 

of research or student projects. We will discuss general aspects centered on the sensitive subject of cyberspace and 

medical record security. Recommendations based on the laws that govern privacy, along with research findings, will be 

shared.

Learning objectives:

1. Explain patient privacy and confidentiality as it relates to HIPAA

2. Discuss who has rights to patient records

3. Assess advantages and disadvantages of electronic records

4. Discuss American Public University System (APUS) and HIPAA

COVID-19: Data Sharing for Public Health Surveillance, Investigation and Intervention

Topic areas: Health information privacy and confidentiality, ethics of data collection during an outbreak

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1090857/

■ Target audience: Public health professionals

■ Description: Public health’s COVID-19 surveillance, investigation and intervention balances an individual’s right to 

privacy against the public’s and other’s right to know. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, questions about data sharing under 

a national emergency have surfaced. Is HIPAA still fully in effect during this public health emergency? How does HIPAA 

apply to public health departments? What COVID-19 information may public health share with the media, emergency 

responders, law enforcement and others? This webinar will identify various federal and state laws, including HIPAA, that 

impact public health’s ability to share COVID-19 information.

Learning objectives:

1. Review current data sharing questions facing your peers

2. Understand HIPAA’s data sharing limitations and opportunities

3. Provide an awareness of other federal and state law considerations

Information Privacy & Security (IPS)

Topic area: Health information data security

■ Register: https://about.citiprogram.org/en/series/information-privacy-and-security-ips/

■ Target audience: Teachers, educators, IRB administrators, administrators, IRB members, individuals working with 

identifiable health data (HIPAA-defined “PHI”), researchers, instructors, students

■ Description: IPS covers the principles of data protection, focusing on the healthcare-related privacy and information 

security requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the educational records 

and data-related requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
21

Data Management in Disasters & Public Health Emergencies Recording

Topic area: Ethics of data collection during an outbreak

■ Register: https://www.train.org/main/course/1080061/

■ Target audience: Researchers, analysts, public health professionals, information systems professionals

■ Description: Nicole Strayhorn, National Library of Medicine Associate Fellow, discussed the results of her project to 

identify open data sources and data sharing policies used during disasters and public health emergencies. For the 

purposes of this short-term project, she narrowed her research to the data needs of stakeholders, and the challenges of 

sharing and accessing data around the ongoing Zika virus outbreak.
CS 317081-B May 15, 2020 5:33 PM

cdc.gov/coronavirus