Identifying and responding to technical assistance and training needs in tobacco prevention and control.

The Master Settlement Agreement generated expectations that significant, long-term funding would be available to the 46 participating states in reparation for the health costs incurred by tobacco use. Facing intense pressure to use anticipated funds for effective programming, states and national organizations considered how to supply the technical assistance and training at the state and local levels. This article reviews assessments by the American Legacy Foundation, the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium, and selected states of the current needs for support, technical assistance, and training in tobacco prevention and control. Key findings indicated the need for information, information exchange, mentoring, and training targeted to new staff, with advanced skill sets for experienced staff. As future funding is uncertain, all these organizations are exploring innovative ways to maintain infrastructure and programming at the state and local levels. Training and technical assistance can be the solution to sustaining impetus in the movement.