Developing and implementing health policies is a 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 to uplift and support Maternal and Child Health communities facing access to care and nutrition gaps.

After completing the problem identification process, the next step in policy planning is to create a list of potential policy options that could address the identified problem. The Policy Options Identification Table allows LHDs to list potential policy options and think thoroughly about each one. Policy options can be identified by researching similar policies in other cities and counties, using policy databases such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, and reviewing cross-sector policy work such as Getting Further Faster. Probing questions include, how does the policy:

• improve MCH outcomes and impact the non-medical factor of interest;
• incorporate people at risk of experiencing the identified maternal and child health issue into the policy development process;
• and how are partners and coalitions involved in the policy option decision.

Once the policy options are identified, organizations or coalitions should use the Policy Analysis Worksheet to review and compare each option. This analysis helps determine which policy option is the strongest fit to pursue based on the local context, community needs, partnership structure, feasibility, impact, cost, and level of support. Other considerations include:

• the impact of the policy on MCH populations if enacted;
• level of community support;
•  and the economic cost of the policy. 

The Policy Analysis Worksheet includes additional criteria, guiding questions, and color coding to improve clarity as to which policy should ultimately be selected. 

Click here to access the Policy Option Identification Table and the Policy Analysis Worksheet. If you have use of this resource or have feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

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.