In collaboration with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) Program has prepared a training curriculum that can be utilized for individuals with Local Health Departments (LHD), University and College programs, vendors providing Contact Tracing and Case Investigation for the state and volunteers and other individuals who are interested in knowing more about Contact Tracing and Case Investigation in North Carolina to help slow and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

All individuals completing these modules will get a thorough understanding of the process of Contact Tracing.  To become proficient in this skill, those completing the course must receive additional mentoring and guidance in the settings where they may work.  As an example the original trained workforce of the Carolina Contact Tracing Collaborative or CCTC which is a joint effort of CCNC and NC AHEC through the NC DHHS has a network of trained Regional Supervisors, Team Leads and educators.  You will hear CCTC mentioned in several places so know this relates to the original workforce that started at 250 and is now over 1,000.  All other entities managing a Contact Tracing workforce such as the LHDs should also have supervisory staff to guide the tracers. Other entities will need to plan this supervisory role into their managing structure.

Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Training

Live CI/CT trainings are offered on topics including but not limited to updated COVID-19 guidance, CCTO tool updates and enhancements, common HelpDesk issues, as well as special topics such as vaccines, equity, and resource referrals. These trainings are always recorded and a live Q&A is held at the end of the session. Below you will find the most recent training, as well as a link to access an archive of all the CI/CT training materials.

April 27, 2023 | Spanish Language and Communication Equity: Recording and Slides

April 25, 2023 | CCTO Updates: Recording and Slides

Click here to access a full archive of all CI/CT training material.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Training ORIENTATION

MODULE 1          Orientation to Public Health in North Carolina

Time Commitment: 1 hour

This program is presented by the Gillings School of Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill. It provides an excellent overview of the work of public health in each community and our state.  The role of disease surveillance has been with us for a very long time and it is our public health responsibility to serve communities to keep them safe from these communicable diseases like the Coronavirus. 

MODULE 2          Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers                                        

Time Commitment: 3.0 hours

In this course, trainees will have the opportunity to participate in a 3-hour training.  The Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Contact Tracers course is offered jointly by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and National -Coalition of Sexually Transmitted Disease Directors (NCSD). The ASTHO/NCSD training is strongly recommended to ensure that learners understand the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, including COVID-19 symptoms, transmission, and control measures; components of effective interviewing; cultural sensitivity and confidentiality in communicable disease

MODULE  3          Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias

Time Commitment: 1.0 hour

Contact Tracing requires a high level of relationship building and respect for the diverse population that will be served.  This course introduces learners to key areas to consider and appropriate conversations to respect diversity, equity and inclusion.

MODULE  4          Putting It All Together; Workflow

Time Commitment: 1 hour

The process of Case Investigation and Contact Tracing follows a particular pattern in NC.  This module puts the pieces of workflow and interviewing together. Who should be doing what and when?  It also includes information about Isolation and Quarantine.

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/63430. You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already.

Motivational Interviewing for COVID-19 Cases and Contacts

This 5-module course on Motivational Interviewing employs effective techniques to quickly build rapport with cases and contacts.  Creating a relationship that is non-judgmental and builds on the client’s strengths will allow for a much more productive exchange of information.  This technique is critical in working with known COVID-19 cases and contacts.

Time Commitment         2 hours

Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Motivational Interview (role play video in English)
Motivational Interview (additional video in English)
Motivational Interview (role play video in Spanish)
Motivational Interview (additional video in Spanish)

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/64802 You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing ADVANCED TOPICS

MODULE 1          Skills for Effective Communication  

Time Commitment         1 hour

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful contact tracing interaction. That includes building rapport, active listening and asking the right kinds of questions. In this module, which is from the Coursera John Hopkins Contact Tracing program, you will read and watch several examples that demonstrate how and how not to have productive conversations.  

MODULE  2          Ethics of Contact Tracing and Technological Tools

Time Commitment          1.5 hours     

This course from the Coursera John Hopkins Contact Tracing program clearly defines privacy, confidentiality and autonomy as it relates to Contact Tracing.  In addition, the course offers an excellent overview of the tools that are being used in Contact Tracing and as you learn about NC efforts you will note our State is implementing these tools.

MODULE  3          Subsets of the General Population

Time Commitment         1 hour

This is a “must do” lesson.  Many subgroups make up the population in NC who can have vulnerabilities that increase their risk of contracting COVID-19.  Best practices for engaging people in these population subsets are essential to establishing rapport and providing assistance.

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/63703. You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already.

COVID-19 Case Investigation

Time Commitment          4.5 hours

This 6-module training course is designed for those individuals who will fill the role of a Case Investigator. This role is usually given to those who have experience in the Contact Tracing process. The focus of this course is to introduce the process of Case Investigation and then to give recorded videos of the Interview process in both English and Spanish.

Case Investigation Training Modules

1.            Etiology and Pathology of COVID-19
2.            A Day in the Life of a CI
3.            Conducting an Interview
4.            Eliciting Contacts
5.            Common Issues
6.            NC-COVID Part II Form

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/64277. You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already.

COVID-19 Field Safety Presentation

Time Commitment         45 minutes  

This presentation shows the proper process for donning and doffing PPE which is necessary for field visits.  Basics of field safety are presented. This module does not provide the extensive training necessary to be skilled in Field Visits and Surveillance.  Any staff participating in Field Visits must be with trained Field Visit staff from a Local Health Department.

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/64803. You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already.

COVID-19 Workforce Training Additional Resources

1. NC Division of Public Health Communicable Diseases Resource
2. A Focus on Interviewing: these are recorded video examples of interviewing that can provide helpful tips.
3. CDC Website
4. Public Health in NC: full 2.5 hour course
5. John Hopkins Contact Tracing Course presented by Coursera

To register, go to https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events/64804. You will be asked to create a MyAHEC account if you do not have one already