About the EPIS Program
Evaluation and Program Improvement Scholars Program (EPIS) aims to build the capacity of
STD program staff. The program is open to STD program managers, epidemiologists, program
evaluators, intervention specialists, and CDC-funded STD programs. In a partnership among
the Centers for Disease Control Division of STD Prevention, the National Coalition of STD
Directors, and Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center, EPIS cohorts are selected
annually to work with coaches, who are proven leaders in evaluation and STD program
management.
Our Work
The EPIS Program provides coaching and mentoring for cohort participants to work toward
improving community health. Each cohort receives ten hours of individual coaching and virtual
peer coaching, and coaches coordinate and lead a virtual learning exchange. Participants also
have the opportunity to complete a quality improvement project within their own agency.
Our Impact
EPIS scholars share that the coaching experience directly supports the work they do:
“Our coach was extremely helpful in making us think about aspects we had not considered and
connecting us with other states that had done similar assessments.”
”The coaching helped us to work through an evolving project definition as the process was
taking shape, allowing for real-time discussion and problem solving as the project evolved.”
Contact Us
Please reach out to Serena McCovery, Program Manager at smccovery@nnphi.org with any
questions or to learn more.
Under DSTDP’s cooperative agreement to support STD prevention and control (PS 19-1901
STD PCHD), STD programs are expected to conduct data-driven planning, analysis, monitoring,
and evaluation for program improvement under Strategy Area V. The EPIS program is designed
to support successful implementation of Strategy 17.
This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award (CDC-RFA-OT18-1802:
Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect
the Nation’s Health) totaling $175,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS,
or the U.S. Government.