Navigating Local Policy to Advance Community Change (MPHA)
April 10 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Topics: Public health policy for coalitions and individuals, best practices for engaging in the legislative process, in particular the state budget process.
Online via Zoom (3 hours)
FREE
Description: There are many ways coalitions and their members can insert themselves in each stage of the policy change process. If you are new to public health or coalition work, this training will help walk you through how policy can be used to support our work, and approaches to building relationships with local policymakers and influencing the state budget process. Through group work and skill-building, participants will walk away with knowledge to increase their effectiveness and impact within the community and feel confident in bringing their voice into the local policy arena.
Audience: Coalition members and leaders, public health professionals that are new to the field.
Trainers: Jeneczka Roman, Massachusetts Public Health Alliance (MPHA)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:
- Develop a foundational understanding of how you can affect change through the Legislature, including when the best times are for advocacy and best practices for lobbying/advocacy.
- Develop a deeper understanding of how to affect change via the budgeting season.
- Apply what you’ve learned to confidently advocate for items in the state FY26 budget.
MA DPH Coalition Criteria Addressed:
- Participation from key partners (individuals and organizations that have a vested stake or interest in a program or policy initiative, e.g., it will impact them directly).
- Consistency with MDPH’s goals and priorities.
- Defined structure for strategic planning and decision-making.
- Effective utilization of data to inform goal and activity selection, implementation, and evaluation.
