Communicating with Care: People-Centered and Nonviolent Strategies

Instructor: Natalie Shaak, Associate Director of Communication and Administration, Center for Hunger-Free Communities, Drexel University

Date: June 23, 2025

Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm EST

Format: In-person

Effective communication in public health is critical to building trust, collaboration, and ensuring equitable access to health information. This interactive course provides participants with a foundational understanding of people-centered and nonviolent communication principles and how to apply them in professional public health settings.

Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn to craft messages that prioritize empathy, inclusivity, and clarity while avoiding language that may alienate or retraumatize communities. Participants are encouraged to bring materials from their own organizations for real-world application and feedback

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the role of people-centered, nonviolent communication in public health
2. Identify and revise language that may contribute to stigma, bias, or harm
3. Critically analyze and refine public health materials to align with people-centered and nonviolent communication principles

Continuing Education Credits*: 1.5 CEU or 15 CPH