Introductory Course
Timeframe: 1 day
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Recognize that a problem definition is socially constructed
- Recognize how policy analysis tools can help guide solution development
- Identify a range of advocacy strategies and tactics
- Identify implementation components
- Recognize how message framing is critical to the policy change process
- Recognize the utility of a project logic model for evaluation planning
This introductory course orients participants to the systems change process, including how a local or state coalition might influence the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and built environments. Through interactive exercises, lecture, and group discussion, participants become familiar with five topics: 1) defining social/health problems; 2) analyzing potential solutions; 3) influencing the change process; 4) implementing enacted changes; and 5) evaluating system changes.
The course provides a gateway to the series of five skills-building courses or to other tailored learning experiences about changing systems to improve health and social problems.