auld

Coalescing for Policy Impact:  Insights from a Decade of Health Education Advocacy: 

M. Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES Society for Public Health Education, June 29, 2006 Coalescing for Policy Impact: Insights from a Decade of Health Education Advocacy

Presentation Objectives: 

Presentation Objectives Describe genesis of a successful coalition for health education advocacy. Describe the coalition’s advocacy accomplishments, including annual advocacy summit. Articulate elements contributing to advocacy success.

Who is SOPHE?: 

Who is SOPHE? Professional society founded 1950 Mission – to promote health of public through education Focused on health education research, professional prep, continuing education, advocacy 4,500 members, 24 chapters 2 national meetings annually Relocated to Washington, DC - ‘95 Injury programs, resolution 2006 National Health Education Week October 16-20 – “Healthy Kids: Creating Safe Communities and Schools” www.sophe.org

SOPHE Journals: 

SOPHE Journals Health Education & Behavior Health Promotion Practice Supplement, April 2006 Editors – Noreen Clark, et al. “Community Coalitions and Control of Chronic Disease: The Allies Against Asthma Approach”

What is a Coalition?: 

What is a Coalition? Not defined by membership, stakeholders, organizations Defined as way of working collaboratively Definition – Generally defined as a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements; a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons or states for joint action (Merriam Webster's 1997)

Coalition Benefits: 

Coalition Benefits Information sharing, networking Access to resources Enhanced organizational image Appeal to stake holder’s mission Enhancement of personal situation – personal recognition, skills, enjoyment

3 Types of Coalitions: 

3 Types of Coalitions Community coalition focused on short-term goal Coalesced around controversial issue Usually disbanded after issue addressed Community coalition with professional & grass-roots membership Long-term focused Coalition of professional interests, members Long-term approach to increasing influence

Four Stages of Coalition Functioning: 

Four Stages of Coalition Functioning

Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO): 

Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO) Formed 1975; www.cnheo.org Mission - mobilization of the resources of the Health Education Profession To expand and improve health education, regardless of the setting Focal point for internal dialogue, exchange, collaboration Focal point for external representation to government agencies, etc. Represent >30,000 health educators

CNHEO Membership: 

CNHEO Membership American Academy of Health Behavior American Association for Health Education American College Health Assn American Public Health Assn (2 sections) American School Health Assn Directors of Health Promotion & Education Eta Sigma Gamma Society for Public Health Education Society for State Directors of Health, Physical Education & Recreation

CNHEO Structure/Accomplishments: 

CNHEO Structure/Accomplishments Working agreement Composition – 1 rep/organization plus alternate Elected coordinator, deputy coordinator (Volunteer – no paid staff) Dues - $250/organization/annually 2 face-to-face meetings; monthly conference calls, listserv Some accomplishments – publications, meetings, code of ethics, Standard Occupational Classification

Annual Advocacy Summit: 

Annual Advocacy Summit CNHEO advocacy as priority – 1995 Policy change as part of discipline focus of health education First summit – 1998 with 40 organizational leaders Shared power, participation in planning – decreased anxiety among natural competitors Smaller, pilot format allowed us to get “kinks” out Organizational leaders invited so they could communicate importance of event to their respective groups, e.g. “sell” future events.

CNHEO Advocacy Summit Model: 

CNHEO Advocacy Summit Model Advocacy summit each March - focus on appropriations CNHEO Advocacy Summit Planning Subcommittee 1-2 reps/organization Conference calls to identify joint advocacy priorities, plan summit speakers, agenda 4-5 calls from August through February Develop messages, fact sheets Open to any individuals, faculty, students $1500/CNHEO organization

Summit Priorities 1998-2006: 

Summit Priorities 1998-2006 Function 550 – budget for Public Health Service CDC Appropriations, especially chronic disease School health REACH 2010 program (disparities) Cardiovascular disease Tobacco Breast & Cervical Cancer Block Grant Program Diabetes Authorizations NIH Natl Ctr for Minority Health No Child Left Behind Reauthorization Sexuality Education

Criteria to Select Advocacy Priorities: 

Criteria to Select Advocacy Priorities Importance to health education, CNHEO strategic plan and membership Economic, social, environmental health or other impact Existing science-base Current organizational resolutions or policy statements Likelihood of success, given current political climate Nature of opposition to organization’s stance Availability of resources needed for success Organizational allies or other supporting groups Need for champion where no other exists

Advocacy Summit Model Program: 

Advocacy Summit Model Program Saturday afternoon Introductions Overview of Congressional challenges/opportunities Advocacy tracks – 101, 201, 301 CNHEO Leaders’ Meeting Sunday Intensive training on advocacy messages, “asks” Role play Congressional visits in large/small groups Small group Hill planning – targeting message to states Availability of mentors to assist first timers Monday Congressional briefing – “last minute cheerleading” Leader delegation visits to key committees Individual visits

10th Anniversary Health Education Advocacy SummitMarch 10-12, 2007: 

10th Anniversary Health Education Advocacy Summit March 10-12, 2007 “Behind the Scenes” Organize conference calls, minutes Core publicity Arrange leaders’ Congressional visits Develop Summiteers packets, Hill packets Coordinate summit registration, communication Organize, tabulate evaluations, CE credits Listserv updates on priorities throughout year Website maintenance

Internal Indicators of “Success”: 

Internal Indicators of “Success” >950 attendees; approximately 50% students, faculty Profession-wide awareness Standing organizational financial commitment Increased advocacy training within organizations at annual meetings, support for policy leadership CNHEO Leaders working on future priorities Emergence of long-term evaluation plan Development of advocacy curriculum “Spinoffs” www.healtheducationadvocate.org CNHEO Advocacy Award

External Indicators of “Success”: 

External Indicators of “Success” “Victories” Function 550 Increased appropriations CDC DASH Submitted CNHEO testimony to House Signed on to various letters related to priorities American Society of Assn Executives Honorable Mention Award Publications in peer-reviewed literature Informal recognition by policymakers, e.g. CDC Inquiries from other interested groups

Factors Associated with Coalition Success*: 

Factors Associated with Coalition Success* *Adapted from Clark, N., et al. Community Coalitions to Control Chronic Disease: Allies Against Asthma as a Model and Case Study, Health Promotion Practice, April 2006 Supplement, p.18s.

Ongoing Challenges: 

Ongoing Challenges Time, energy, resources Lost autonomy through shared decision making Competition among organizations Expanding organizational base without health education losing focus Marketing - attracting rookies & veterans for repeat attendance at Summit Keeping momentum throughout year Re-infusing infrastructure with “new blood”

Lessons Learned: 

Lessons Learned “Share everything” – Be ready to share credit for effort. “Play fair” – Be attuned to individual members’ interests, WIIFM Keep goals attainable – “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” Evolve over time. With scarce resources, know coalition’s impact and be able to communicate it. “Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you” - Celebrate small victories; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Robert Fulghum All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lessons Learned: 

Lessons Learned “When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.” Robert Fulghum, 1989