Understanding Poverty: A Missouri Community Action Poverty Simulation for Helping Professionals

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Lehigh Valley Health Network Center for Healthcare Education


ACPE - Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (3.00 hours), ANCC Nursing Continuing Professional Development (3.00 hours), General Attendance (3.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (3.00 hours), Social Worker (CEUs) (3.00 hours)

The poverty simulation is an experiential learning activity using role-playing and time-pressured decision-making to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges patients and community-members face with limited resources, systemic barriers, and complex health and social care systems. The simulation is followed by a structured debrief that connects the experience to professional practice in healthcare, public health, and community-based services.

1. Describe the structural and systemic barriers that contribute to persistent poverty, including housing instability, employment challenges, transportation limitations, and access to healthcare and social services.
2. Identify the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impacts of living in poverty and chronic scarcity.
3. Analyze how time pressure, limited resources, and system complexity affect decisionmaking for individuals and families.
4. Identify implicit bias and assumptions that may influence professional interactions with individuals experiencing poverty.
5. Apply trauma informed and personcentered approaches to improve engagement, communication, and outcomes for clients experiencing economic hardship.
6. Evaluate opportunities within their professional roles and organizations to reduce barriers and improve service accessibility and coordination.

Lehigh Valley Hospital Pharmacy Department is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing education. Pharmacists attending the entire program and completing a program evaluation will earn 3 contact hours (0.3 CEU) of continuing education credit. Pharmacy Technicians attending the entire program and completing a program evaluation will earn 3 contact hours (0.3 CEU) of continuing education credit. Data will be uploaded to CPE Monitor within 4-6 weeks following the program for participants who complete this activity and submit required participant information including evaluation, NABP e-Profile ID, and DOB. This is a knowledge-based activity. ACPE Universal Activity Numbers (UANs): 0545-0000-26-006-L99-P/0545-0000-26-006-L99-T

Lehigh Valley Health Network is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Completion Criteria: Registered Nurses attending the entire program will receive 3 Contact Hour(s).

Lehigh Valley Health Network is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to offer continuing education for Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Lehigh Valley Health Network maintains responsibility for the program(s). License # 002613. This educational activity has been approved for 3 CEUs.

Cancellation Policy

Please send cancellation requests to [email protected]. 

Lehigh Valley Health Network reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Lehigh Valley Health Network is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

Lehigh Valley Health Network adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.