Survive and Thrive: Roadmap for New Local Health Officials

Survive and Thrive: Roadmap for New Local Health Officials is a 12-month learning opportunity designed to enhance the skills of new and aspiring local health officials—the top executives at local health departments. The Survive and Thrive program is made possible with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the de Beaumont Foundation.

Survive and Thrive Fellows

As a Survive and Thrive Fellow, you will gain practical tools and tactics to help engage elected officials and community partners; best manage strategic planning and human, financial, and information resources; and bolster your ability to resolve challenges unique to your new role at a local health department.

The Requirements

New local health officials must have been in their position for two years or less and commit to approximately 100 hours over a 12-month period that includes the following activities:

Workshop preparation
Active engagement in eLearning lessons on Fellows' own time
In-person attendance at two workshops (expenses covered by NACCHO);
Development of an Individual Development Plan;
A shadowing visit with a Survive and Thrive Coach (travel stipend provided)
Developing an active coaching relationship; and
Monthly conference calls with coaches and peers.

Survive and Thrive Coaches

Coaches are seasoned and/or recently retired local health officials who serve as mentors to Survive and Thrive Fellows. Service includes reviewing the 360-degree performance reviews, individual development plans, and conference call discussions about each module in the curriculum.

The Requirements

Coaches are expected to commit time to work with a small group of fellows (approximately five fellows) over a 12-month period. This includes the expectation that they will:

Attend and be an active contributor to two in-person workshops;
Participate in teleconference calls with their team;
Complete all assigned self-assessments and evaluation instruments;
Support the development of individual development plans; and
Have access to a computer with high-speed Internet access.

For more information about Survive and Thrive, click here or contact surviveandthrive@naccho.org.

2012-2013 Survive and Thrive Application Closed

The application period for the 2012-2013 Survive and Thrive program has closed. Please contact surviveandthrive@naccho.org with application-related inquiries.