Communities of Practice
The VTA+ CoP programming has ended.
Please contact us by email at vta.uc.info@gmail.com if you have any questions about starting your own CoP.
What is a Community of Practice (CoP)?
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, thousands of State and local government employees and volunteers joined together to respond to COVID-19. The Virtual Training Academy (VTA+) came together to train this diverse workforce to serve as case investigators (CIs) and contact tracers (CTs).
As our knowledge of COVID-19 evolves and national, state, and local guidelines change, Communities of Practice (CoPs) gather to support CIs and CTs across California. Members of this community, a mostly virtual workforce, connect online to stay updated on information and guidance, learn from one another, and promote wellness through social connection.
Communities of Practice
“Groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”
Etienne Wenger, Social Learning Theorist
Introduction to Communities of Practice
Components of a VTA+ CoP
Continuing Education & Guidance Updates
The public health response has had to evolve in real time as new scientific evidence emerges; we provide timely updates and education around how this new information impacts guidance and their roles.
Skill Development
By offering a welcoming and safe environment for interaction, members refine their skills and learn from one another through case conferencing and peer-to-peer engagement.
Wellness & Social Connection
Response work is extremely stressful and can be physically and emotionally exhausting. We aim to build community resilience by promoting self care practices and fostering social connection.
What our CoPs Do
Our CoPs connect people and their work.
- Case Investigators and Contact Tracers
- Team Leads and Supervisors
- Reserve Corps
Our CoPs bring people together from a specific group or region.
- Rural and Small Counties in California
- Southern California
- Statewide
Our CoPs host webinars and townhalls to cover special topics such as:
- Mental Health
- Wellness
- Long COVID
- Vaccines
CoP Forums
Statewide CoP
Audience: Frontline staff working in COVID across CA
Objective: Provide updates, continuing education, and support to frontline staff via interactive presentations and peer to peer learning.
Supervisor CoP
Audience: All CA COVID Response Supervisors & Team Leads
Objective: Supervisory, leadership & professional development, mentorship & support resources
Small & Rural CoP
Audience: All CA COVID Response Staff from Small & Rural Counties and Their Partners
Objective: Sharing of best practices, resources & support for pandemic response in small & rural counties
SoCal CoP
Audience: All COVID response staff from Southern California counties
Objective: Sharing of best practices, resources & support for pandemic response in the Southern California region
Public Health Reserve Corps CoP
Audience: Reserve Corps Members
Objective: Professional development, community building, and science/guidance updates for members
Open Forum
CoP Name: Open Forum
Audience: All Frontline Pandemic Response Staff
Objective: Provide a supportive space for peer-to-peer connection & discussion
You must be logged in to post a comment.