The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48219

Paul E Evensen, MA¹, Jeffrey L Stowell, JD¹, Allen Mast, JD², and Molly Talbot-Metz, MPH, CHES². (1) Community Systems Group, Inc., P.O. Box 442650, 123 W 8th Street, Suite 210, Lawrence, KS 66044, (785) 838 3320, pevensen@communitysystemsgroup.com, (2) Mary Black Foundation, Bell Hill, 945 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302

Research has identified capable leadership as a key characteristic of successful community-based interventions to improve public health. The Mary Black Foundation instituted the Community Health Fellowship program in November of 2000. The Fellowship is designed to systematically develop volunteers' leadership skills for public health promotion. Fellowship recipients are selected by the community and are a diverse set of volunteers currently active in local partnerships to improve literacy, reduce teen pregnancy, improve nutrition and reduce cardiovascular disease. Participants create and execute individual leadership development plans that outline how they will improve their skills in a selected core competency over the course of one year. Mentors and program facilitators provide support to participants and the Foundation provides a stipend.

This presentation will highlight how the distinct but overlapping interests of participants, foundations and academic/support partners were successfully met. The program’s major components and their functions will be outlined. An evaluation methodology for assessing competency attainment by participating volunteers will be fully presented. The positive outcomes of the 2001 program year and several stories of individual community participants will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• List the core competencies for leadership in public health promotion.
• Recognize and address the different interests of foundations, community members and academic/support partners when developing the leadership skills of community volunteers.
• Describe the key features and role of individual leadership development plans.
• Apply an evaluation methodology for assessing competency attainment by community volunteers engaged in public health promotion.

Keywords: Competency, Leadership

Related Web page: www.maryblackfoundation.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Community Systems Group, Mary Black Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The Mary Black Foundation provided a grant to Community Systems Group, my employer, to help implement and evaluate the project discussed.