Training

Developing a Training Tool for Community Engagement

lbennett — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:59:40 +0000

Developing a Training Tool for Community Engagement

lbennett Fri, 06/12/2026 - 20:59

The Ask: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) needed a tool to help local and state governments incorporate engagement with communities into their grant-funded projects.

The Solution: In collaboration with OAR staff, MDB designed and developed a 7-page booklet to help local and state governments create or expand their plans to engage communities MDB provided planning, copy editing, graphic design, and Section 508-compliance support. The booklet is an effective tool to provide a visual and written roadmap for grant recipients as they develop community engagement plans.

Notable Outcomes: EPA praised the booklet as a beautiful and useful resource and planned to share it with others. The booklet was disseminated to grant recipient listservs and published on the EPA website.

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Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:28:01 +0000

Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

Database Management

Occupational Safety & Health

Training

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:28

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) needed a web-based system for WTP grantees across the country to enter and retrieve their individual, program-related training data. This data entry system also had to integrate with the existing National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training (Clearinghouse).

The solution: MDB staff designed, developed, implemented, maintains, and provides technical and user support for the NIEHS WTP Curricula Information and Data Management System (DMS). The DMS was designed to work with the Clearinghouse website as a complete system for entering, storing, retrieving, searching for, and disseminating data, information, and training materials about hazardous waste worker training.

During the design phase of the system, MDB staff worked with both WTP staff and grantees to conduct a thorough evaluation of the previous system, uncover detailed requirements for both immediate and future functionality, and develop prototypes to simulate the system’s “look and feel.”

Notable outcomes: The DMS currently contains information on the more than 279,000 training courses conducted by WTP grantees. This information provides the basis for congressional data calls and justifications, data analysis and evaluation projects, State Profiles, and WTP Program summaries, and, most importantly, tells the story of the history, growth, and impact of the Worker Training Program.

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Developing Disaster Resiliency Curricula and Resources

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:13:35 +0000

Developing Disaster Resiliency Curricula and Resources

Emergency Preparedness

Occupational Safety & Health

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:13

The ask: Following natural and manmade disasters, essential workers such as first responders and cleanup workers face unmet mental health and resilience needs. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP), under an interagency agreement with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch, sought support for these workers following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The solution: MDB worked closely with WTP and SAMHSA staff to develop the Gulf Responder Resilience Training Project. This project began with a needs assessment and literature review and included work with community-based organizations. Then, MDB led a series of three phases that consisted of stakeholder meetings with oil spill responders, curriculum development with behavioral health subject matter experts, and the development of training materials, respectively. MDB facilitated the meetings and developed the curriculum and training materials.

Notable outcomes: The Gulf Responder Resilience Training Project was a valuable opportunity for MDB to work together with local, disaster-impacted, and vulnerable communities, and to understand the cultural sensitivities surrounding the post-disaster mental health consequences and their management within an impacted community.

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Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:10:23 +0000

Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

Occupational Safety & Health

Reports

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:10

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) wanted to assess the evaluation approaches being used by the training programs that deliver site-specific and trade-specific training for a combination of nuclear, industrial, chemical, demolition, and construction activities at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites.

The solution: WTP requested that MDB complete an evaluation for the NIEHS-DOE Nuclear Worker Training Program to examine evaluation methods, challenges, and successes of awardees. This report provided a synopsis of evaluation methods used across the NIEHS-DOE Program, a summary of key findings from awardee evaluations, and lessons learned and recommendations for improving evaluation efforts across the program. MDB presented the evaluation to NIEHS and DOE leadership.

Notable outcomes: The evaluation was positively received. In addition, MDB concluded the report with several recommendations for the NIEHS-DOE Program to adopt. Now the program has the approaches to use to ensure the success and sustainability and the program.

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Supporting NIEHS Environmental Career Worker Training Program

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:32:37 +0000

Supporting NIEHS Environmental Career Worker Training Program

Emergency Public Health

Occupational Safety & Health

Program Management

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:32

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Environmental Career Worker Training Program, funds organizations — called grantees — that train people from disadvantaged communities for jobs in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). Since its inception in 1995, the program has relied on MDB for help fulfilling its unique mission.

The solution: MDB has been integral to the Environmental Career Worker Training Program’s evolution, assisting grantees with training sessions, writing grantee success stories, and supporting special projects. Our history of supporting ECWTP and grantees, combined with our knowledge of health disparities and environmental issues, enables us to develop materials that capture the individual- and community-level impacts of the program.

As needed and appropriate, we take on special projects to support ECWTP. For example, in 2014, we collaborated with economists at Holy Cross University to conduct an economic impact review of the program. Together, we published the Environmental Career Worker Training Program Economic Impact Report, which summarizes the program’s many achievements, such as its positive influence on worker earnings and revenue, and its role in reducing costs related to workplace injury.

For the program’s 25th anniversary in 2020, we worked with NIEHS staff and grantees to develop a new webpage and logo to publicize the occasion and expand program outreach. We also created a new fact sheet and infographic describing key aspects of the program.

Notable outcomes: MDB continues to work with the program to promote training and sustainable careers, build stakeholder engagement, and advance environmental health.

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Pathogen Safety Data Guide and Training Module Offers Clear Solutions

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:30:16 +0000

Pathogen Safety Data Guide and Training Module Offers Clear Solutions

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Public Health

Occupational Safety & Health

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:30

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) requested help developing training tools and resources for infectious disease response.

The solution: In response, MDB developed a pathogen safety data (PSD) guide and training module aimed to raise awareness of existing PSD resources and how they are being used to develop infectious disease occupational exposure control plans in a variety of industries. MDB’s Ebola training gap analysis informed the development of the PSD guide and training module. Two key findings from the gap analysis showed that federal guidance was inconsistent and incomplete, and resources on infectious diseases are sometimes conflicting or lack the detail required to be immediately helpful.

The PSD guide aims to address these issues by reviewing existing PSD resources, outlining their strengths and limitations, and explaining how to access them. The PSD training module was developed to train workers who may be exposed to infectious diseases on how to use existing PSD resources.

MDB worked with NIEHS staff and awardees to pilot test the PSD module through a series of infectious diseases training sessions for workers in various sectors and we used feedback received during these sessions to refine the course materials. The complete PSD training module includes a PowerPoint presentation, a participant worksheet, the PSD guide, a glossary, four case studies, and an instructor guide.

Notable outcomes: Workers who are at higher risk to be exposed to infectious diseases in their workplace are now better prepared to respond to possible infectious disease pathogens, thanks to this innovative training.

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Bringing International Experts Together via Webinar

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:08:14 +0000

Bringing International Experts Together via Webinar

Global Hazards & Health

Events

Facilitation

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:08

The ask: Science knows no borders. Webinars that feature international researchers are an ideal way to share new knowledge with the public, policymakers, and other scientists. Federal and international clients often need help organizing these events.

The solution: MDB recognizes the growing interest, potential, and impact of online learning, virtual courses, and webinars. With rapid adoption and growing comfort with online platforms, MDB plans, hosts and facilitates international webinars for federal and international clients. Our meeting planning team coordinates logistics including registration, platform set up, rehearsals, run of show, and day of IT support. Our project teams work with clients to carefully craft a plan for the event: we focus on inviting a diverse set of speakers from different geographic regions, experts on a variety of issues and craft an agenda that comfortably allows presentations without rushing speakers. We work with clients and speakers to create interactive elements customized for each online event.

Notable outcomes: MDB has orchestrated hundreds of international webinars that have reached more than 25,000 participants spanning six continents.

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