Icf Spark Podcast

In this episode, host David Speiser, Ph.D., executive vice president at ICF, and Nicola Dawkins-Lyn, Ph.D., MPH, a behavioral scientist at ICF, speak to Dr. Marcus Plescia, the chief medical officer at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), a national nonprofit organization that tracks, evaluates, and advises public health professionals across the U.S. and its territories to provide guidance and technical assistance.The conversation covers topics such as:What state and territorial public health departments can do to influence social determinants of health.The connections between state departments of health and other state government agencies.What the public health enterprise can do to unite the country around better public health outcomes.The difference, from a state public health leader’s perspective, between working in centralized and decentralized public health systems.

Host David Speiser, Ph.D., executive vice president at ICF, and Nicola Dawkins-Lyn, Ph.D., MPH, a behavioral scientist at ICF, speak to Lori Freeman of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), a membership organization representing the nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country, on the role of the public health system during—and after—the pandemic.The conversation covers topics such as:Fragmentation and the disparate strategies and priorities of different regions across the U.S.Ways to engage with rural public health organizations.Equity factors that contribute to a person’s overall health, and systemic barriers health departments must work to remove.How to keep population healthy at such a polarized time.The crisis of a decreasing public health workforce, especially in the field of nursing.

How can we unlock the power of the private sector to scale up technologies and services that facilitate climate resilience and adaptation?That’s the question on our minds in this podcast, as we continue to explore climate risk from a variety of perspectives.Hosted by Brad Hurley, senior communications consultant at ICF; and Peter Schultz, Ph.D., vice president, climate and resilience; this conversation with Jay Koh, co-founder and managing director of The Lightsmith Group, a sustainable private equity firm in New York City, covers topics such as:The differences between investing in climate resilience and making climate resilient investments.The range of tools—from data and analytics to products and services—that investors use to help assess the evolving challenges that climate change introduces as risks become more complex and move from one area to another.How to use investment in the policy context as a tool for supporting sustainable development. New frontiers and untapped opportunities in advancing re

In this podcast, hosted by David Speiser, Ph.D., executive vice president at ICF, we speak to three leaders at Inova Health System to capture the provider perspective on the challenges and opportunities we face at this moment. The conversation with Stephen J. Motew, MD, MHA, FACS, chief, clinical enterprise, Inova Health System; Maureen Sintich, DNP, MBA, RN, WHNP-BC, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive, Inova Health System; and Chalapathy Venkatesan, MD, MS, FACP, chief quality and safety officer, Inova Health System, covers: The role of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and the relationships between providers and different levels of the government’s public health enterprise.The interplay between the health system and the community, both within and beyond healthcare facilities. Data sources that are available through state and federal resources, and how that data is applied in the provider realm. How qualitative feedback through resources, alliances, and partnerships enabled Inova Health System

In this podcast, hosted by Brad Hurley, senior communications consultant at ICF, one of ICF’s leading climate experts discusses how businesses plan for climate uncertainty and the corresponding risks. The conversation with Peter Schultz, Ph.D., vice president, climate and resilience, covers topics such as: The difference between the key forms of climate risk: physical and transition.The drivers pushing businesses to evaluate their climate risk.Which countries and business sectors are leading the way in being proactive about climate risk.The different approaches businesses can take to mitigate their climate risk.

Host David Speiser, Ph.D., executive vice president at ICF, is joined by Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver for a candid discussion on the pandemic response from the front lines. The conversation covers topics such as: The fragmented nature of public health across the U.S. and how states vary in their approaches. The role of the Virginia Department of Health in regulating hospital capacity, along with lessons being absorbed from the COVID-19 emergency about how to maintain surge capacity of facilities and medical professionals. How to align the public with the need to embrace critical public health interventions such as vaccine acceptance, masking, and physical distancing requirements.Recommendations for how to effectively prioritize new or modernized public health information systems after the pandemic, while also ensuring that they are truly national and universal.

In episode 3 of Energy Renewed, Katie Janik of ICF speaks with Steve Becker of the ICF technical advisory team within our Commercial Energy Division; Whitney Hampton, senior project manager in the RETC Group at US Bank Community Development Corporation; and Dan Miller, managing director of Origination at CIT, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 from the perspective of investors and lenders of renewable energy projects. This episode is the second part of two episodes developed to explore how COVID-19 is impacting renewable energy transactions.

In episode 2 of Energy Renewed, Katie Janik of ICF speaks with Heidi Marie Larson, who leads the ICF technical advisory team within ICF’s Commercial Energy Division, and Kevin Christy, COO of North America at LightSource BP, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on owners and developers of renewable energy projects. This episode is part one of a two part series developed to explore how COVID-19 is impacting renewable energy transactions.

Given the high stakes involved in the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more urgent time to take a hard look at America’s public health enterprise and all of its deficiencies. Only then can we map out the ambitious plan that will be required to fix it.   Join David Speiser, executive vice president at ICF, as he discusses the limitations of America’s public health system and how it has crippled our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with three of ICF’s leading public health experts: Jen Welham, senior vice president of ICF’s health and human services business; Mary Schwarz, managing partner of ICF Next’s government division; and Christine Walrath, chief science officer for ICF.

Several weeks ago, we released a COVID-19 funding podcast that was based on our initial understanding of the federal funding that’s available for state and local governments with regards to COVID-19 response and recovery. While much of our original recommendations are still relevant and accurate, this is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation. There are new cooperative agreements and updated options that state and local governments can take advantage of. In this episode, hear again from three of ICF’s emergency management experts—Meghan Treber, Kelly Price, and Marty Altman—as they explain the federal funding options available to state and local governments and eligible private nonprofits for COVID-19 response. Moderated by Marko Bourne, former director of policy at FEMA. We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management experts to provide clarification on relevant response and recovery topics: https://www.icf.com/insights/disaster-management/covid-19-resources

What if I told you that you could raise your prices by 30%, cut half of your products—and still have excited customers and a growing business? The challenge, however, is that you have to transform your business model, re-arrange several internal departments, and invest in technology to create personalized experiences. For the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), its need to transform was not just about maintaining and growing membership.  It was about understanding how to deliver real value to its members in the right way. That meant looking at essentially a 200-year-old business model and deciding to do better.  By evaluating outside industries, HFMA identified a new set of experiences it could adopt and expand to create something new, but familiar to its membership. In this podcast we talk to Garth Jordan, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Vice President of HFMA about this multi-year journey of transformation. Moderated by Fred Faulkner, Partner at ICF Next.

It is early May of 2020. Americans have been practicing social distancing and sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic for almost two months. The widespread closure of schools, businesses, and government facilities has led to resource constraints, economic woes, and logistical challenges at all levels of society. And we’re about to enter natural disaster season. Midwest flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and wildfires will sweep the country in the coming months—while we’re still dealing with COVID-19 restrictions. In this episode of our Navigating COVID-19 podcast, Steven Kral, EMS Director for ATCS, PLC and Michael Junell, Director of Public Assistance for ICF, help those on the front lines of disaster management navigate a safe and effective path forward. Moderated by Marko Bourne, Senior Vice President of Disaster Management for ICF. We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management experts to provide clarification on relevant response and recovery topics: ht

Risk management is used primarily to identify the steps we can take to avoid loss or lessen the impact of threats such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and terrorism. But what about pandemics? What do risk leaders in business and government need to bear in mind as they respond to the current COVID-19 crisis—and prepare for a future that may very likely include additional waves of infection? In this episode of our Navigating COVID-19 podcast, Reid Sawyer, Head, Emerging Risks Group and U.S. Cyber Risk Consulting Practice Leader, Marsh; and Susan West, Vice President of Risk Management for ICF discuss how to mitigate the risks associated with a pandemic, and what business and governmental risk leaders need to think about today to prepare for an uncertain future. Moderated by Marko Bourne, Vice President of Disaster Management and former director of policy at FEMA. We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management experts to provide clarification on relevant response and rec

HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding supports state and local governments in their community development and housing missions. It’s also used for disaster relief (CDBG-DR) and mitigation efforts (CDBG-MIT). The COVID-19 pandemic and the CARES Act have introduced a new category of CDBG funds that grantees can take advantage of in their pandemic recovery efforts—CDBG-CV. In this episode of our Navigating COVID-19 podcast, three ICF experts explain how grantees can leverage new and existing federal funding options for COVID-19 recovery efforts, and how to navigate changing rules and procurement requirements in light of the pandemic. Kelly Price, vice president of community development; Deborah Siefert, senior disaster recovery consultant; and Karolyn Gardner, vice president of contracts and pricing, discuss how HUD is implementing the COVID-19 CARES Act funding and share advice and procurement best practices with grantees. Moderated by Marko Bourne, vice president of disaster management and fo

The novel coronavirus is impacting us all in dramatic ways. Individuals, families, companies, governments, and industries around the world are reeling from the effects of COVID-19. The insurance industry is no exception. As insured businesses experience loss of revenue, they are looking to their insurance policies for help. How is the industry responding?In this podcast, two insurance and risk experts weigh in on the impact of COVID-19 on the insurance industry. Nancy Sylvester, area executive vice president and public sector national director of federal disaster recovery for Arthur J. Gallagher, and Susan West, vice president of risk management for ICF, discuss insurance and how it affects our clients at the state, federal, local, and private sector levels with regards to COVID-19. Moderated by Marko Bourne, vice president of disaster management and former director of policy at FEMA. We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management experts to provide clarification on rele

Most people understand Individual Assistance as the FEMA program that individuals turn to after a natural disaster to receive temporary housing repair money, low interest loans from the SBA, and other benefits. COVID-19 is a different kind of disaster. There are no floods or fires, and people have been ordered to stay in their homes. While the majority of the Individual Assistance awards are not applicable to this pandemic, there are some ways that IA can be leveraged now to provide relief. In this episode of the Navigating COVID-19 podcast, Meghan Treber, Senior Director for Emergency Preparedness and Public Health Preparedness; Kelly Wilson, Disaster Management Consultant; and Marty Altman, Vice President for Disaster Recovery—discuss the applications of FEMA’s Individual Assistance program to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderated by Marko Bourne, Senior Vice President, Disaster Management and former director of policy at FEMA.We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management

The unprecedented scale of the novel coronavirus outbreak is a challenge at every level: from individuals and families to communities and states, we are all struggling to make the best possible decisions in a climate of heightened fear and anxiety. Fortunately, the federal government has funding in place to help state and local governments—as well as hospitals and healthcare facilities—pay for essential COVID-19 expenses. More information on this topic: https://www.icf.com/insights/disaster-management/public-health-impacts-covid-19 Links to resources mentioned in the podcast: CDC Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 Crisis Response Cooperative Agreement - Components A and B Supplemental Funding Interim G: https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readiness/00_docs/COVID-19_Supplemental_Funding_FAQs_FINAL_508.pdf Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA): https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readiness/00_docs/CDC-RFA-TP18-1802_Sup-Guid-COVID-19-Crisis-CoAg_Supplemental.pdf?deliveryName=DM24192 FOA Additional Information: https://www.cdc.

COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health emergency that has placed tremendous stress on the United States. As the crisis unfolds, with new information coming out daily, many state and local governments are left wondering what to do. What costs will the federal government cover, and how should you manage your emergency response efforts to make sure you get the funding you desperately need? These are urgent questions and there’s not a second to waste. More information: https://www.icf.com/insights/disaster-management/covid-19-leveraging-federal-dollars We've also published a list of helpful resources compiled by our disaster management experts to provide clarification on relevant response and recovery topics: https://www.icf.com/insights/disaster-management/covid-19-resources

In episode 1 of Energy Renewed, Katie Janik of ICF speaks with Lynsey Tibbs of Southern Power Company and Jason Kaminsky of kWh Analytics to discuss operational project data collected from renewable energy projects.

Energy efficiency has been around for decades, and it continues to play a big role both for utilities and their business customers. As utility data gets smarter, they’re able to provide better services to their customers and deliver more personalized, targeted outreach about how and why commercial businesses (and residential customers!) should invest in energy efficiency measures.And they can expand beyond the traditional “feet on the street,” one-to-one approach. Now, utilities can use the latest targeted advertising techniques to reach commercial customers, build awareness, garner interest, and ultimately increase participation.In this podcast, join the discussion with Tom Brubaker, senior marketing specialist at PECO, and Nancy Caplan, vice president of marketing and engagement for commercial energy at ICF.