Learning Objectives: Describe the ways in which web and database technologies can be used to help manage a tobacco control program. Recognize the possible challenges and barriers to converting from a paper-based system to an electronic system. Identify the ways in which their own program could benefit from the use of similar technologies.
Abstract: You have implemented cutting-edge tobacco control strategies throughout your state, but how do you document their work and evaluate their progress? How do you keep all your grantees informed of current issues on a day-to-day basis? These can be some of the biggest hurdles faced by a growing tobacco control program. It was particularly challenging in California, with nearly 200 grantees and 158,000 square miles.
California’s tobacco control program met this challenge with a combination of internet-based databases and password-protected web sites. This panel will showcase three of those systems. “OTIS” (Online Tobacco Information System) is a new web-based database which recently facilitated the electronic submission, review and approval of workplans for 61 Local Health Jurisdictions. “CID” is an Access-based Contract Information Database which tracks each grantee from cradle (RFA) to grave (close-out). Lastly, the PARTNERS web site keeps nearly 700 users in projects throughout the state informed of current issues on a daily basis. These systems have given California an unprecedented ability to track, evaluate and monitor their grantees in the field, as well as allowing them to share information in the “real-time” environment of the World Wide Web.
This panel presentation is intended primarily for health educators and administrators from state tobacco control programs, though everyone is welcome. Regardless of whether you are just starting out or have been running a successful program for years, you’ll want to see the variety of ways in which you can use technology to help you manage a successful program.
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