Emory PHTC. CDF is proud to have been selected as a site for the Emory Public Health Training Center (Emory PHTC): Pathways to Practice Student Field Placement Program. The Emory PHTC Student Field Placement Program is an opportunity for organizations to be a part of training the future public health work force while receiving valuable assistance for their programs. The Emory PHTC places master level public health students from the Rollins School of Public Health in meaningful field placement opportunities with agencies such as CDF serving underserved communities.
Simona Lang, a Masters Degree candidate in the Rollins School of Public Health, has been working with CDF since the late fall 2011. She has provided invaluable research on health issues in the Clarkston community and has assisted with the development and analysis of several early learning and health surveys. In addition, she is compiling and analyzing child development screening data for the Parents as Teachers program.
Volunteers. Swathi Sekar and Rachel Berkowitz are also Masters Degree students who have volunteered their time to develop a resource database for use of the CDF parent educators and family advocates. Swathi and Rachel have spent many hours identifying resources, interviewing CDF staff, and training us on how to use and update this valuable tool.
Stephanie Spangler, an Emory undergraduate, learned about CDF from Kate Grace, Director, Community Building and Social Change Fellows Program, Emory’s Office of University-Community Partnerships. Stephanie wanted hands on experience working with families and children and was willing to volunteer on site. CDF matched her with one of the local organizations we collaborate with, Mommy and Me. Stephanie currently assists with Friends of Refugees’ Mommy and Me early learning activities while their parents are engaged in English as a Second Language classes. In addition to her hands on work with the staff, children, and families, Stephanie, along with CDF, offers support and resources to the program leaders.
Power of the Radio. Another group of Emory Masters Degree students, facilitated by Emory student Aisha Elizabeth Pomfr Stewart, are working on an initiative entitled “Power of the Radio,” The students have turned this idea, which was discussed at a CDF Early Learning Stakeholder Meeting, into a project for their seminar class. In partnership with Sagal Radio and CDF, the Emory students are preparing radio broadcasts on early learning topics which will be reviewed by CDF and Sagal Radio, translated into several languages, taped by community volunteers, and aired. Look for more information on The Power of the Radio later this spring.