Author: Lidia Aragai, MPH, CPH, Program Assistant, Program Operations

The Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) outlines the essential responsibilities of governmental public health, defining core services and programs to serve communities effectively. One Foundational Capability in this framework is policy development and support, which is the ability to be an expert in public health policy, inform and promote policies, address determinants of health, and carry out public health regulations. Along with using the FPHS framework for policy conversations, data use agreements and health in all policies approaches can support efforts towards policy development. 

Health departments can play a role in guiding public health policy discussions that impact communities. Additionally, health departments may have the authority to create and enforce regulations. To effectively champion and implement policies and regulations, it is crucial that health departments are equipped with the necessary expertise, resources, and tools.  

Below, you’ll find resources designed to help health departments in policy development.  

Resources for Policy Development and Support 

• PHAB’s Blog on 21C States Transforming through Legislation and Policy Change   
  As health departments engage with modernizing public health systems in their states, reviewing what other states have done can support policy development. PHAB’s 21^st Century Learning Community has examples of legislation for transformation work.  
• ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center 
  This page identifies legal work across the country for public health priorities and showcases maps that have analyzed laws. These interactive maps cover policies that address overdose prevention and public health infrastructure. 
• Guide for Developing Legal Documents Governing Cross-Jurisdictional Sharing Arrangements 
  This guidance from the PHAB Center for Innovation and The Network for Public Health Law outlines a checklist on how to develop legal documents for governing cross-jurisdictional sharing arrangements.  
• FPHS for Policy Makers and the Public
  This factsheet on the FPHS can be used to communicate with policymakers and the public. The document outlines a breakdown of the framework, implementation, and importance of the FPHS. 
• Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local Governments  
  Health in All Policies is an approach for improving the health of everyone and addressing the social determinants of health. This guide is a resource for state and local governments on how to incorporate the approach in policies and their work. 
• Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center Modules 
  The Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center provides two learning modules on policy work. The Policy, Systems & Environmental Change course overviews policy, systems, and environmental change strategies, their importance, and how to start.  

  The Training the Trainer on Policy and Systems Change module explores guiding principles at the local level to prepare trainers and coaches to support changes in systems and policies in their communities.  

• Policy Briefs: From Plan to Action 
  This training from the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice prepares public health agency staff to organize thinking, strategize and communicate about action items, and propose changes in policies that affect their communities. It also offers continuing education credits for the Certificate in Public Health credential as well. Register here.  
• Public Health Advocacy, Demystified (Part 1 and 2) 
  This two-part webinar series, from the Region V Public Health Training Center, describes how public health professionals can effectively communicate and promote public health policies. Effective message strategies are key to organizing support of public health policies, especially for public health funding.  
• ASTHO’s Rulemaking Resources 
  Health departments have the authority to create laws to advance public health through rulemaking. These rules, also called regulations, affect most parts of modern life – from food safety and water quality to occupational safety and medical practice, among others. These resources provide core insights into the rulemaking process and more. 
• ASTHO’s Policy Academy on Demand 
  The ASTHO Policy Academy On-Demand provides in-depth information to help build capacity for, advance, and support the development of health policy-bolstering programmatic work for state and territorial health department employees at all levels. 

  After completing this course, participants will understand how to strengthen their relationships and increase their skills to identify, assess, design, enact, implement, and evaluate policies related to key public health priorities. The online series is part of ASTHO’s e-learning center. 

• Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policies for Public Health Organizations: A Template and Guidance  
  As public health organizations explore AI tools, addressing challenges requires a thoughtful approach. Policies play an important role in the approach, and this template and guide provide a framework for informing conversations about AI and developing AI policies.  

PHIG recipients looking for additional resources or assistance related to policy development and support can request technical assistance from the National Partners through the PHIVE portal.