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Recruitment for the Summer 2023 Cohort has now closed. Future cohort information coming soon!
About CEDIS & How to Apply
The Coaching for Enhanced Disease Intervention Skills (CEDIS) program builds skills in interviewing, rapport-building, problem-solving, and cultural humility by matching experienced Disease Intervention (DI) professionals (coaches) to newer DI professionals (participants) for an eight-week coaching program. CEDIS is a cohort-based program. Application periods for new coaches and participants take place throughout the year.
DI professionals are defined as any public health professional who conducts the full scope of DI activities, including, but not limited to: client-centered interviews, collection of enhanced surveillance and community assessment data, partner services, contact tracing, directly observed therapy, field specimen collection, field investigation in outbreaks and in emergency preparedness, community outreach, collaboration with medical providers, linkage to care, and navigation of health care systems to ensure patient evaluation and treatment.
Coaches
CEDIS coaches are experienced DI professionals with at least three years of current or prior frontline DI work experience. In addition to helping to build the next generation of DI professionals, being a coach is a professional development opportunity.
Learn more here.
Recruitment for the Summer 2023 Cohort has now closed. Future cohort information coming soon!
Participants
Participants who receive coaching are newer DI professionals that have completed the onboarding and training required for their role and who are actively conducting STI and/or HIV DI work.
Learn more here.
Recruitment for the Summer 2023 Cohort has now closed. Future cohort information coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the CEDIS program only for Disease Intervention (DI) professionals?
Yes. The purpose of the CEDIS program is to provide coaching to DI professionals in four “soft” skill areas essential to DI work: interviewing, rapport-building, problem-solving, and cultural humility. Only newer DI professionals are eligible to be participants (or coachees) and only experienced DI professionals are eligible to be coaches.
Note: DI professional titles vary, but the primary functions for DI professionals are conducting case investigations and contact tracing and offering partner services. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/std/projects/disease-intervention/default.html.
Are all health departments eligible to nominate newer DI professionals?
Yes. All state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments are eligible to nominate newer DI professionals for participation in the program.
Can newer DI professionals interested in the program nominate themselves?
No. Health departments must complete the application on behalf of newer DI professionals interested in and eligible for the program. DI professionals are encouraged to talk to their supervisor about participation in the CEDIS program.
Who is considered a newer DI professional?
The CEDIS program is for DI professionals that are newer to their role, have completed the onboarding and training required for their role, and are actively conducting STI and/or HIV DI work.
How much does it cost to participate in the CEDIS program?
There is no cost for participating in the CEDIS program.
Can an application be started and completed at a later time?
No. There is not a save and continue option once an application is started. We recommend that you preview the application form before beginning so you can complete the application in one sitting.
What happens if an application is not accepted for the currently enrolling cohort?
If more applications are received than there are available spots in a cohort, applications will be added to the waitlist. The CEDIS program team will notify applicants if they are placed on the waitlist and will provide additional detail about upcoming cohorts and next steps.
When is the next cohort?
Cohorts are scheduled throughout the year. For the latest information on the CEDIS program schedule, visit the CEDIS program website.
Do the coaching sessions have to occur weekly?
The CEDIS program is an eight-week coaching program. Coaches and participants must meet eight times in order to successfully complete the program. Coaches and participants determine their meeting schedule, with the goal of meeting weekly for one hour. Some adjustments may be required, such as to accommodate vacation and holiday schedules, or illness. If scheduling challenges arise, coaches and participants must contact the Coach Coordinator or Participant Coordinator as soon as possible.
How are coaches and participants matched?
The CEDIS program team conducts the matching process, taking into consideration time zones, regional/geographic similarities, and language preferences, among other factors. Coaches and participants from the same health department are not matched.
What if a coach or participant is deployed or changes positions while enrolled?
If a coach or participant is deployed or changes positions, contact either the Coach Coordinator or Participant Coordinator as soon as possible. The CEDIS program team will work with those impacted by the change to make necessary accommodations.
Is the CEDIS program available in Spanish?
CEDIS program materials are currently only available in English.
What is the expected time commitment for coaches?
Coaches receive approximately eight hours of live, virtual training – one orientation session, two training sessions, and one practice session – before being matched with a participant(s).
Coach support sessions are held every other week for one hour during the coaching period to advance coaching skills and troubleshoot issues that may arise during the coaching process.
Coaches spend approximately one and a half hours per week per participant preparing, conducting, and following-up on coaching sessions.
Does the program offer incentives for coaches?
There is no monetary compensation or other incentives available for coaches. A certificate of completion is awarded to the coach upon successful completion of a cohort.
How are coaches selected?
Experienced DI professionals working in state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments are eligible to apply. Applications are reviewed in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the Coach Position Description.
What if a coach is not able to attend one of the training or support sessions?
If a coach has a scheduling conflict, they must contact the Coach Coordinator as soon as possible so alternate arrangements can be made.
Do coaches repeat orientation and training for each cohort they participate in?
If a coach serves in more than one cohort, they do not need to repeat all four training sessions. They will be asked to attend the orientation session and invited to participate in other sessions as they are available.
If a coach is working with two participants, can they schedule a group session?
No. Coaches and participants work one-on-one. Coaching sessions with more than one participant at a time are not allowed.
What do the coaching sessions look like?
During the first coaching session, coaches and participants review the results of the participant’s self-assessment, develop goals for the coaching period, and determine their meeting schedule for the duration of the cohort.
During coaching sessions, coaches provide the opportunity for dialogue by asking thought-provoking, open-ended questions that help participants take action themselves. Coaches suggest approaches and provide recommendations to assist the participant to overcome obstacles and build their skills in interviewing, rapport-building, problem-solving, and cultural humility. Unlike a supervisor, a coach does not directly oversee or manage someone’s work or offer human resources support.
Coaches receive a comprehensive Coach Guide with instructions, forms, and sample activities. The Coach Coordinator is available to support coaches throughout the cohort.