Spring 2023 Quarterly Newsletter
The start of the new year is always difficult to tackle. Offices are slow to start, communication is slow to build, but our ambitions and goals never slowed down. Each sector of OPWD was spinning with new events, relationships, partnerships, courses and grants. It’s safe to say we had quite a bit going on; from hosting annual events to launching new programs, OPWD continued to expand its reach to the needs of the community. We are excited to continue navigating the next quarter by focusing on our strengths, celebrating our successes, and pushing forward to uncover new opportunities.
This newsletter’s goal is to showcase OPWD accomplishments over the past quarter and highlight future plans designed to uphold our mission.
“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
OPWD Overall Updates:
Our office successfully held the 6th Annual Inspiring Women Leaders Conference on March 9-10, 2023 at the University of Florida Reitz Union.
Katie Risher, Assistant Director Conferences, received a UF Superior Accomplishment Award!
UF TREEO partnered with the Water Tower to expand environmental training in Georgia and officially launched backflow and wastewater courses.
OPWD submitted our application to become a Registered Apprenticeship Provider and got jumpstarted on our Community Health Worker Registered Apprenticeship Program. Learners will gain knowledge and build competencies in Community Health Worker Foundations, TeleHealth, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Medicaid Basics and Essential Skills for Workplace Success.
Several of our team members showed exceptional unity and determination in their work to obtain, develop and maintain our grant-funded programs.
In addition to a celebrating OPWD’s foundation day, random acts of kindness day and hosting a heart-y breakfast potluck for Valentine’s Day, the DIW Crew planned a team-building activity at Escapology! Those who wished to participate split into two groups and had an hour to escape their respective rooms.
Conferences
January: 2 virtual events and 1 in-person event (Arlington, VA).
February: 1 hybrid event (La Romana, Dominican Republic) and 3 in-person events (Two in Gainesville & one in Daytona Beach).
March: 1 in-person event (Gainesville).
Professional Development
The ThriveDX online Cybersecurity Bootcamp had high attendance for its intro course.
Our Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals Training Program has been renewed and approved for the next 5 years.
A new Artificial Intelligence course in medicine has been announced: a 4-hour AI Foundations in Medicine (CME).
Registration is open for the next Culinary course on June 6.
Held 2, two-day custom Water Hero Leadership Academy sessions with Toho Water Authority in January and March – the final session will take place in May.
Held 3 custom training sessions in January, February and March as part of the Alachua County Food & Nutrition Services Leadership Institute program – the final two sessions will take place in April.
TREEO Center Programs
Asbestos:
Held 31 courses with a total of 287 students!
Backflow Prevention:
Successfully concluded the 33rd annual Cross Connection Control Conference in Daytona beach in February, and have already begun planning for CCC 2024!
OSHA, Safety & Health:
Held 3 courses with a total of 14 students!
Water/Wastewater:
Held 26 classes with a total of 326 students.
Sequencing Batch Reactor Operation online course is now open for enrollment!
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management:
31 combined offerings/classes and had a total of 147 students!