Leadership Empowerment Academy for Public Health

The Leadership Empowerment Academy for Public Health (LEAPH) program was designed to guide public health employees toward the development and utilization of leadership principles and practices to assist them in working toward accomplishing their agency's mission effectively and efficiently. Objectives of the LEAPH program are to reach 100% participation of 320 current employees, 100% completion rate of the 20 participants enrolled in each session, and increase awareness of leadership principles as indicated by an improvement of 10% on the post test score. LEAPH addresses some of the problems that will arise due to future labor shortages as a result of “baby boomer” retirements. As essential service # 8 states, a competent public health workforce is crucial for the proper functioning of an effective health department. It is estimated that in the event of a pandemic, only 40% of the workforce will report to work. It is during those times that leadership skills are important to an organization and the continuity of its mission. Extensive research and an employee needs assessment survey are two processes that were used to determine the need for the LEAPH program. The Kentucky Retirement system makes it advantageous to retire on or before January 1, 2009, and more than 23% of the current workforce at the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness will be eligible to retire at that time with many already retired. Succession planning ensures that current employees are prepared to meet the needs of the future.