Center for Community Health (CCH)
Qualified Community Engagement Specialists (QCES)
Overview
The URMC Staff Community Engagement Committee will operationalize the Qualified Community Engagement Specialists (QCES) process that recognizes URMC staff whodo exemplary community-engaged work.
Who qualifies to apply to become a QCES?
Staff who, as part of their employment with the URMC, are engaged with the community through policies, programs, practices, and/or research; have passed their probationary period in their current URMC position; and have impactful experience in community-engaged work that results in tangible outcomes.
What does being a QCES mean?
Staff who successfully complete the QCES process will have a formal affiliation with the Center for Community Health (CCH), similar to faculty who have secondary appointments with the CCH. Opportunities for QCES to demonstrate leadership and grow professionally could include:
- Serving as a reviewer for the CCH Community Health Mini-Grant Program or the Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards
- Participatingin groups led by the CCH such as the Community Health Interest Group and Staff Community Engagement Committee
- Serving on teams to create staff development opportunities unique to community-engaged staff
- Mentoring community-engaged staff
How will staff benefit from becoming a QCES?
- Support and networking opportunities with other community-engaged staff
- Opportunities for professional development unique to community engagement
- Formal recognition and announcement of staff community engagement expertise
- Mentoring from other community-engaged staff professionals
How will the QCES applications be reviewed?
The CCH Director of Community Health Partnerships will oversee the process. Applications will be reviewed quarterly as needed, depending on the number and frequency of the applications received. A subgroup of the URMC Staff Community Engagement Committee will be responsible for reviewing the applications. Part of the application process will include an in-person meeting with the review committee. The CCH Director of Community Health Partnerships will provide final approval of an application.
How will CCH recognize QCES?
Community-engaged staff who successfully complete the QCES process will receive a letter of recognition from the Director of the Center for Community Health with copies to their departmental chair and immediate supervisor.