Investing In Policy And Advocacy: A Foundation Shares Lessons Learned

Working on advocacy and policy is challenging. Not only is it complex, fluid, and increasingly politicized, it is also challenging to measure progress and communicate success. Some Background Understanding this, in 2012, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, a statewide foundation located in Louisville, launched Promoting Responsive Health Policy (PRHP)—a six-year, multifaceted initiative to address four broad health policy areas—increasing access to integrated health care; increasing the proportion of Kentuckians living in smoke-free jurisdictions; improving children’s health; and strengthening local public health. Building on past investments, the foundation engaged a variety of grantees and contractors as partners: legal, youth, and consumer advocates; researchers; and communications and media organizations. The Center for Community Health and Evaluation (CCHE), located in Seattle, Washington, and affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, was selected to serve as the external evaluation partner because of its experience evaluating policy work and its developmental approach to evaluation. Halfway through PRHP, a change in state leadership prompted dramatic changes in the political climate and in policy positions coming from the governor. These changes meant that PRHP’s policy goals, especially around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law, were at odds with the new governor’s goals. These changes had profound impact on the foundation ...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: GrantWatch Insurance and Coverage Medicaid and CHIP Health Law Health Philanthropy Health Reform Kentucky Matt Bevin Policy Politics States Source Type: blogs