Collaborative approach to strategic planning among health departments

Data from a regional needs assessment in Kentucky and Ohio illustrated the need for strategic planning. In response to the need, the Buckeye Bluegrass Regional Leadership Academy (BBRLA) developed and implemented a 6 month distance-based strategic planning program aimed at local health departments in Kentucky and Ohio. In 2010, ten health departments joined the program and put together team of five to nine mid to senior level employees to work on its agency's strategic plan. Each team participated in five 90 minute live webinars, aimed at the strategic planning process; the webinar topics ranged from determination of data needs to evaluation and establishment of a monitoring system. The webinars were supported by on-line course modules, on-line discussion forums, and workbooks, which guided learning between the webinar sessions.

The BBRLA strategic planning program utilized a blended learning approach. Each team was able to work at their own pace to develop a strategic plan for the organization. Teams were also able to interact, collaborate, and learn from one another throughout the process. This unique, collaborative, and facilitated approach to learning was a success because it gave health departments the tools needed to begin the strategic planning process, it was tailored to meet each agency's specific needs, and the live webinars gave teams the chance to ask questions and reinforce learning. This process can also be duplicated in other states and the distance based approach can be used for other workforce development initiatives.