Policy objectives are often prominent in community-based public health interventions, as is true of both the HII and PPH. The HII has encouraged grantees to address policy issues through several means, including (a) provision of local capacity-building via instruction and technial support, and (2)funding of a major policy center, the California Center for Health Improvement (CCHI), in the state capital. Indicators of success have been sought by observing (a)policy achievements by local grantees, and (b) reactions by policymakers and policy-shapers in the state capital (Sacramento) to CCHI's work. Policy achievements by local communities have included movements toward simplification of procedures for obtaining insurance for children and passage of legislation facilitating collaboration among government agencies. Impact of CCHI has been assessed via a systematic survey of about 100 policy-makers and policy shapers regarding information disseminated by the organization. Information on communty health appears to have a selective effect on the legislative process, factors affecting impact including the type of legislation under consideration and the point of the legislative cycle at which the information is released.
Learning Objectives: 1. To understand the challenges communities face in changing policy. 2. To learn how communities have attempted to change policy. 3. To identify techniques most likely to produce success in a community's efforts to change policy. 4. To know the methods by which advocates and funding partners can support communities in policy-related activity.
Keywords: Community Health, Policy/Policy Development
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