RISE: A Roadmap for New Local Health Officials
RISE: A Roadmap for New Local Health Officials (LHO)s is an intensive and dynamic training program for new LHOs that builds leadership capabilities through active engagement, exploration, coaching, and goal setting. RISE supports a vision for LHO leadership that recognizes the need for public health leaders to have exemplary skills in communications, advocacy, resiliency, innovation, and strategy while demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence.
NACCHO’s goal for the RISE program is to support new LHOs in developing these skills while also building a strong network of peers that will exist beyond the scope of the program so that leaders in every community feel that they are able to provide and receive support in ways that go beyond resources and training.
This 12-month program, hosted on NACCHO University, is structured as a cohort-based learning environment where fellows experience multiple touchpoints with the curriculum content in a variety of engaging asynchronous and synchronous formats. The curriculum includes eLearning and live virtual learning sessions with experienced LHOs, NACCHO staff, and field experts. Experienced LHOs will serve as coaches for program fellows and facilitate both individual and group coaching. Each fellow, in collaboration with their coach, will design an independent learning plan to apply what they are learning to their leadership practice during and beyond this program.
RISE will be offered each year with applications launching for fellows and coaches in May. The program will kick off in July and run August through the following July. More information about the program can be found below including the specific dates and process for fellow and coach applications.
Program Objectives
Through participation in the program, new LHOs will accomplish the following goals:
1. Build a sustainable and supportive network of peer and mentor relationships.
2. Create a thorough understanding of the current public health field and the foundational capabilities of local public health departments.
3. Strengthen advocacy and voice as thought leaders and forward-thinking strategists to drive the modernization of public health practice.
4. Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to address inequities and champion health equity.
5. Expand leadership skills through practice to foster success, drive innovation, and lead in today’s public health landscape.
6. Commit to lifelong learning, continued growth, and resiliency as leaders.
7. Develop the diversified management skillset needed to support, transform, and lead their health departments.
Program Overview
Each cohort of the RISE program will launch in August and run for 12 months. Program kick off will be held in July.
Unit 1: Establishing Personal Leadership Skills and Styles
Unit 2: Building and Leading a Strategic Health Department
Unit 3: Identifying and Managing Resources for an Innovative and Resilient Health Department
Unit 4: Navigating Your Political Landscape and Partnerships
RISE is a 12-month program designed for LHOs in their position for two years or less to better manage and achieve their and their health department’s goals. This program offers the opportunity to:
- Network with experienced and new local health officials
- Learn critical success strategies
- Share experiences of successes and failures
- Discover support resources that help solve problems
- Master the skills needed of effective local health officials
Fellows of this program will participate in workshops, eLearnings, webinars, the development of a personal action plan, engage in regular coaching sessions, and give and receive valuable input to and from your colleagues as part of a peer learning team.
Applicants must:
- Be local health officials who have been in their position for two years or less by August 1, 2025
- Commit to approximately 100 hours over a one-year period that includes the following activities:
- Virtual attendance at monthly workshops
- Development of an active coaching relationship
- Monthly conference calls with coaches and peers.
- Fellows will be expected to purchase a Gallup CliftonStrengths 34 report for $59.99
Fellow applications will open May 12, 2025, and close June 2, 2025. There are currently 10 open spots for this pilot year.
Coaches help the RISE Program Fellows by providing expertise in leadership and public health, sharing experiences in leading their health department, facilitating impactful and meaningful conversations, and guiding Fellows in developing their own personal action plan.
Coaches of this program will participate in an orientation to train the necessary skills desired, prepare for and facilitate individual and group coaching sessions, work closely and communicate with NACCHO staff, and support the fellows in their journey and development as a Local Health official.
- The curriculum includes topics such as:
- Leadership skills and styles
- Leading and managing change
- Working with elected officials
- Management challenges for new LHOs
Coach Requirements
- Minimum of five years' experience as an LHO
- Active or recently retired (three years or less of retirement/having active local public health contact)
- Must be currently active in the broader field of public health, whether through conference attendance, contributions to research, boards, national workgroups
- Must have participated in the improvement of public health nationally with such examples including, but not limited to:
- Attending and/or presenting at national public health conferences
- Membership in a national organization such as NACCHO, APHA, Big Cities Health Coalition, etc.
- Participating in an advisory group, think tank, or council
- Recent contribution to a public health publication
Coach Expectations
RISE Coaches must be able to commit to approximately 70 hours over a one-year period that includes the following activities: in-person attendance at two workshops, conducting monthly group coaching sessions and quarterly individual coaching sessions, development of an active coaching relationship, and monthly conference calls with NACCHO staff.
Coach applications will open April 28, 2025, and close May 16, 2025. The RISE program has 2 open Coach spots for this pilot year.
For more information on RISE, or to contact the RISE team, email us at [email protected].