A Leadership Development Program for Junior-Level, Minority Health Department Staff

There is a lack of minority leadership in the public health workforce, including at health departments (HDs). However, few existing leadership development programs address the unique skills development and peer support needs of junior-level, minority staff working in HDs. In response, NASTAD developed and launched the Minority Leadership Program (MLP) in 2010. In the MLP's pilot year, 15 junior-level, minority HD staff participated in the program. Participants committed to attend two face-to-face meetings, participate on four webinars, complete two electives (self-guided content-specific tutorials), formulate a final project with direct application to their work at the HD, and develop a personal development plan, over the course of the 12-month program. Webinar content is presented by public health experts. NASTAD also developed “cluster groups” (participant groups of five facilitated by NASTAD staff through calls and emails) to provide tailored guidance and mentoring and an online community. An evaluation survey of MLP participants showed that the majority of respondents have shared what they learned in the program with HD colleagues (69.2 percent) and supervisors (76.9 percent); their participation has helped with their work at the HD (83.3 percent); and participation has resulted in their taking on increased leadership responsibilities in their professional (63.6 percent) and personal (69.2 percent) lives. Areas for program improvement were identified including engaging participant supervisors, developing interactive webinars, and facilitating opportunities for peer exchange. NASTAD will implement program recommendations in future cohorts of MLP participants and share lessons learned with organizations that are seeking opportunities to develop their staff.