Developing and implementing health policies is a proven strategy for improving population health, and local health departments (LHDs) play a vital role in shaping healthier communities. With support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), NACCHO provides technical assistance to help LHDs navigate the policy planning and implementation process. Participating LHDs will develop and implement policies addressing either access to care or nutrition security to improve maternal and child health.  

After developing a problem statement to clearly define and frame a public health issue, the next step is to identify internal and external partners who may support or challenge policy efforts. Participating LHDs worked with internal stakeholders to complete a NACCHO provided template designed to identify and think through potential partners. Partners should include individuals with lived experience, decision-makers, and relevant organizations to ensure cross-sector representation. This activity is a critical and ongoing part of policy planning and implementation. 

NACCHO has provided a blank template to support other LHDs in replicating this activity. 

Template: Partner Identification Table 

This publication is supported by grant #1 U1XMC54192‐01‐00 awarded to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the Maternal and Child Health Policy Innovation Program (MCH PIP). The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the HRSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.