Janine Clarke, Instructor Designer for the Region VI - South Central Public Health Training Center, has been selected as a mentor for the  CDC E-learning Institute (ELI). The E-Learning Institute is a 4-month online fellowship designed to cultivate skills of public health training professionals with limited experience designing or developing e-learning products. Through a partnership with the Public Health Foundation, ELI offers access to CDC-developed materials and subject matter experts, as well as the opportunity to learn from peers in a positive, experiential environment. Fellows learn innovative strategies and get the hands-on experience needed to create quality e-learning products. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the quality and reach of public training programs produced by state and local health departments and public health organizations. 

Only 14 fellows were chosen this year from a pool of 293 applicants. As part of the fellowship program, participants create an online training product in the form of a Quick Learn, receive mentoring support from CDC and outside e-learning experts, collaborate with peers, and take part in online learning opportunities. Participants also travel to the CDC offices in Atlanta, GA to attend an in-person orientation and a final showcase event where they present their e-learning products and receive constructive feedback from their mentors and peers. Participants are expected to post their final product on TRAIN. 

To be invited to mentor this selective group is quite an honor and a unique opportunity to work with some of the best public health educators in the US. Janine will be mentoring Allison Root, Instructional Specialist, for the  Region IX - Western Regional Public Health Training Center in Arizona. Her topic revolves around the risks of postpartum obesity. Congratulations, Janine!