housing and environment

Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners Course

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is partnering with the National Center for Healthy Housing to bring together public health and housing practitioners to promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier.

If you visit homes to provide health or inspection services of any type, you will benefit from the Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners Course. The training will help you understand the connection between health and housing and how to take a holistic approach to identify and resolve problems, which threaten the health and well-being of residents.

This two-day course is lively and engaging and complements hazard-specific training in lead-based paint, radon, mold, pests, and asbestos. It identifies root causes of health problems in a home and links them to seven principles of healthy housing: keep it dry; keep it clean; keep it pest-free; keep it ventilated; keep it safe, avoid contaminants; and maintain the house. Course participants will have a better understanding how to collaborate to make healthy homes a reality in their community.

Lunch and snacks will be provided both days. Please see Parking & Hotels for information on where to park and stay.

Who Should Attend?

Professionals interested in Healthy Housing

• Environmental Health Professionals
• Home Inspectors
• Public Health Nurses
• Energy Auditors
• Weatherization Specialists
• Lead-Based Paint Professionals (risk assessors, inspectors, abatement supervisors)
• Health and Housing Advocates
• Property Managers
• Pest Control Operators
• Housing Educators

The Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners course is one of several offered by the National Center for Healthy Housing. More information about this and other trainings offered by NCHH may be found at the National Healthy Homes Training Center & Network.

“Healthy Homes Specialist” Credential

The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network (Training Center) will partner with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) to offer participants “Healthy Homes Specialist” credential. In order to receive the “Healthy Homes Specialist” credential, participants must:

1. 1. Be 21 years old
2. 2. Have five years of experience in housing, environmental health or public health
3. 3. Achieve a score of 70% on qualifying examination
4. 4. Successfully complete an on-line assessment exercise

You can choose to take the Healthy Home Specialist Credential exam at the end of the Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners Course for an additional fee. The exam takes approximately 1-1/2 hours. For more information on the exam and credential, contact Heidi Shaw at the National Environmental Health Association, 303-756-9090 ext. 339,  hshaw@neha.org