Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106777

Kim Ammann Howard, PhD, BTW Consultants Inc., 2550 9th Street, Suite 113, Berkeley, CA 94710, 510-665-6100, kahoward@informingchange.com

The David and Lucile Packard and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations have been investing in leadership development programs to improve access, coverage, and quality of family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) care services in more than 90 countries since 1999. While the leadership development programs differ, all focus on support of leaders who can positively influence FP/RH norms, practices, and policies, within their countries and regions. To assess the effectiveness of the different program designs, strategies, and implementation, a formative cross program evaluation was conducted. To our knowledge, this evaluation is the most in-depth evaluation of international leadership programs ever conducted, and the first to look at the impact of multiple programs. Data was collected from more than 450 people over an 18-month period through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and participant observation, including in-country visits to a select group of countries. The presentation of findings will focus on best practices, key challenges and opportunities, and considerations for future leadership development efforts. Specific examples will be drawn from across the leadership development programs and the countries in which program participants reside. Elements of effective program design and strategies including recruitment and selection of leaders, training type, post program support, and efforts to compliment other FP/RH and broader global health initiatives will be discussed along with program impact on participants (e.g., enhancement and application of leadership skills), their organizations (e.g., ability to leverage resources), and larger systems (e.g., passage of progressive FP/RH policy).

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session, participants will learn different recruitment and selection strategies for leadership development programs, strengths and weakness of different training programs, and a variety of ways to support leaders once they have completed their program.

Keywords: International Health, Leadership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation