Launching the
Advocacy Leadership Academy.
Background.
Public health professionals are inadequately prepared to leverage advocacy tactics to advance public health priorities. To address this, I have led the Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy efforts to plan and implement the Advocacy Leadership Academy.
My role.
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We held town halls and conducted focus groups to figure out what was needed. We piloted different training iterations with city health departments, researchers, and practitioners. We surveyed participants to understand what worked and what could be improved.
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We conducted a market analysis and analyzed competitors to determine what was needed and what was the appropriate price-point. We developed a business model to maximize return-on-investment while still prioritizing training needs.
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We hired. We trained. We planned. We grew. We developed standard operating procedures and best practices. We found what worked and we scaled it. The program is continuing to grow and increase reach and impact.
Next steps.
Our pilot with the Baltimore City Health Department was a success and it helped us learn that internal local health department officials are uniquely positioned to train employees, because they are most familiar with policies and practices.
However, local health departments need help, and that’s where we come in. We’re partnering with national associations to disseminate our curriculum toolkit along with funding and technical assistance support. The hope is that public health will improve its advocacy skills and tactics city-by-city.
