M.O.R.(Mentoring Organization Registry) for the Public Health Workforce: Connecticut Public Health Association's strategy for developing youth as future public health leaders

When compared to other states, Connecticut ranks in the bottom one-third in its ratio of public health workers to people served. The urgency of the public health worker shortage has spurred CT Public Health Association to turn to a recruitment strategy used by Fortune 500 companies: workplace mentoring. Workplace mentoring variations have been proven to attract young, talented and diverse workers with strong math, science and technology skills.

In 2007, CPHA started the Mentoring Organization Registry (MOR). Today the Registry has 14 organizational members that agree to reach middle and high school students and educators with public health concepts, skills and careers. The philosophy of the group is that even if students do not join the public health workforce, they will be more likely to contribute to a healthy community by practicing healthy behaviors, caring for the environment and becoming effective public health advocates and philanthropists.

MOR has effectively attracted CPHA members from a broad range of institutions, including higher education, local and state health departments, foundations and non-profits, to collaborate on grants and free programs that develop youth as future public health leaders. Most importantly, the MOR has fostered new relationships between public health organizations and middle and high schools: to date MOR members have reached over 260 students and educators in over 30 communities.

This presentation will describe the rationale for creating mentoring in the workplace, how to start a Mentoring Organization Registry in your APHA affiliate, and materials and activities that boost the school-workplace partnerships.