Survive and Thrive History

Background
In 2006, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded NACCHO to develop an orientation curriculum for new local health officials (LHOs), the top executives at local health departments (LHDs), who have been in their positions for two or fewer years.

Goal
Provide new LHOs with the knowledge and skills to succeed within the multifaceted environment of local public health practice through an orientation program.

Data from NACCHO's 2005 National Profile of Local Health Departments indicate that approximately 35 percent of LHOs (776 individuals) have been in their position for three or fewer years. In addition, with the aging of the public health workforce, the next several years will witness unprecedented openings in public health leadership positions. NACCHO's membership has cited a need for action-oriented programs that are specifically tailored to teach new LHOs how to apply effective solutions to local challenges.