Ohio colleges train contact tracers

Clark State, Terra State partner to help expand COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in Ohio.

Clark State College has partnered with Terra State CommunityCollege toprovideandextend contact tracer training in northwest Ohio, according to a release from the school.

Clark State provides an online, non-credit contact tracer training and is extending the programto non-credit students atTerra State.

“Clark State is extremely proud of being one of the first institutions in the nation to deploy contact tracer training in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, andwe are equally proud and excited to nowbe partnering with our Terra State colleagues to efficiently provide this same training to their service region,” said Lesli Beavers, director of workforce and business solutions.

Students in the training will learn proper protocols fromthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for contact tracing of the coronavirus.

“Clark State created this training in direct response to the State of Ohio’s need for quick, professional and trained contact tracers. Partnering with other institutions helps us continue thiswork to serve students, health departments and businesses throughout the state,” Beavers said.

The self-paced course will be offered to Terra State students via the Kern Center for Workforce and Community Education, but will be administered and taught by Clark State faculty and staff.

“Contact tracing training is another example of how Terra State continues to support efforts to stop the spread,” said Bill Taylor, vice president of academic affairs at Terra State. “The contact tracing training is a great exampleofhowmicro-credentials bring an opportunity to up-skill, while also meeting the challenge of a national skills gap.”

Beavers said Clark State has trained over 100 students in this program, which started in May of 2020, to help local health districts inresponse toCOVID-19 and have expanded the program by partnering with other community colleges.