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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both the physical and mental health well-being of youth. Disruptions in both their home and school life have put youth at risk for poor mental health outcomes that include increased anxiety, depression, and risk of suicide. This Mental Health Month we examine state and territorial legislation that addresses youth mental health.

Looking to the future, states are improving access to care, providing subsidies for tuition costs, expanding hours of licensed facilities, increasing access, and meeting the needs of both parents and children.

The ASTHO State Health Policy team provides brief updates on 5 of the ten state health policy issues to watch in 2022: mental and behavioral health, rural health, e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products, HIV and PFAS.

The 2020 holiday season is coinciding with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases. With great concern that holiday travel to see loved ones may exacerbate community spread of the virus, many states are increasing public health measures before the winter holiday season. As of November 16, 2020, 13 states and D.C. had a quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers. The U.S. territories also have instituted travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

ASTHO staff identified a range of evidence-supported policies considered by state legislatures that could prevent ACEs. This report synthesizes these research and policy proposals and is intended for public health practitioners and policymakers who are considering adopting similar policies.

Research confirms that strengthening economic supports can improve parental mental health, children’s health, education, and social outcomes.

Over the past several years, states and jurisdictions have continued to implement important policies to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, including increasing tobacco prices, expanding areas deemed “smoke-free,” limiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, and supporting tobacco cessation programs.

In 2020 and early 2021, state policymakers took action to raise awareness of the impacts of racism on health outcomes, to reverse the damage of racist polices, and to implement policy changes to ensure that future policies are enacted with a racial equity lens. In the past two years, many states introduced and adopted resolutions declaring racism a public health crisis. In the early weeks of 2022, there is notably less legislation that has been introduced as compared to the same time last year.

Continuing ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus series—which highlights the top 10 public health policy issues for 2022—this post focuses on mental and behavioral health, as well as supporting the public health workforce.

Navigating Public Health Planning with Precision and Purpose Discover examples and best practices for developing strategic plans that enhance community health outcomes. Embarking on the journey of public health planning demands more than good intentions. It requires a meticulous blueprint that encompasses budgetary considerations and strategic timelines, and effectively leverages external support. Across a landscape in which every decision has the potential to uplift entire communities, there are a world of opportunities and details to explore. Included among them are the critical components of crafting a robust plan, the value of engaging contractors, and strategies for optimizing resources. Mining Existing Plans for Insight and Inspiration Organizational strategic plans, Community Health Assessments (CHAs), and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs) can supply guidance and inspiration for comprehensive public health planning. These documents offer both valuable insights into public health initiatives and tangible examples of effective planning frameworks. There are multiple examples of existing plans within health agencies across jurisdictions; when seeking them out, consider various criteria (e.g., population characteristics, geographic location, and specific health priorities). By examining plans tailored to communities with similar demographics or facing comparable health challenges, planners can apply approaches that resonate in their own context. Additionally, understanding the distinctions between strategic plans, CHAs, and CHIPs is essential, particularly for agencies aspiring towards PHAB Pathways Recognition Program or PHAB Accreditation. These plans are separate entities within the PHAB framework, each playing a vital role in shaping public health strategies and fostering community well-being. Strategic Plans Strategic plans outline organizational goals, plans to achieve them, and how to measure success. They drive resource allocation, decision-making, and other priorities organization wide. Examples U.S. Virgin Islands Hawaii Forest County Potawatomi* El Paso County, CO* San Joaquin County, CA* Community Health Assessments Community health assessments offer a complete view of risks, resources, and factors influencing outcomes. Supported by diverse environmental and socio-economic data, CHAs inform health policy, staff protocols, partnerships, program development, funding, resource allocation, and health improvement planning. Examples U.S. Virgin Islands Oneida Nation* Forest County Potawatomi* El Paso County, CO* San Joaquin County, CA* Pierce County, WA* Community Health Improvement Plans Community Health Improvement Plans are strategic, collaborative roadmaps derived from CHAs. They outline how health agencies, partners, and communities will unite to enhance overall health. They guide priorities, resource allocation, and steer project, program, and policy implementation. Examples U.S. Virgin Islands Hawaii Oneida Nation* Forest County Potawatomi* El Paso County, CO* San Joaquin County, CA* Pierce County, WA* *PHAB Accredited Health Department Plan Components, Timeline, and Budget Agencies considering planning processes and examples from other jurisdictions should recognize the diversity in approaches across different agencies and jurisdictions. There truly isn’t a singular “right” way to undertake public health planning. Instead, it’s about tailoring the process to suit the jurisdiction’s unique needs and circumstances. Examples to Guide Plan Development The Kansas Institute of Health’s Strategic Planning in the Public Health Sector Handbook offers a comprehensive breakdown of planning elements and timeframes based on a six-month plan development calendar. Explore Minnesota Department of Health’s Community Health Assessment and Planning Toolkit, a rich resource for navigating the CHA-CHIP process and timeline. Their template includes a detailed approach that considers capacity to accomplish each step within a desired timeline. Given the variation in the depth and breadth of jurisdiction planning processes, it is challenging to pinpoint a specific dollar amount to cover a planning endeavor. NACCHO’s MAPP Budget Template (part of their downloadable MAPP 2.0 process) can help systematically think through the resources necessary for planning processes. Outsourcing Key Support External support—in the form of facilitators, contractors, or other specialized professionals—can play a pivotal role in enhancing public health planning by offering fresh insights, innovative strategies, and diverse perspectives. Such support also allows for full, active organizational participation in the planning process. Moreover, they can provide valuable technical assistance, helping to navigate complex challenges and identify best practices from other contexts. By harnessing external support, organizations can optimize their decision-making processes, foster collaboration, and enhance the delivery of services to communities, thereby promoting better health outcomes for all. Conducting a SWOT Analysis: Contractors can assist in facilitating a thorough analysis of the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). This structured assessment helps identify internal factors that impact the organization's ability to achieve its objectives and external factors that may affect its operations. Proposing Strategic Priorities: Based on the SWOT analysis and input from stakeholders, contractors can help planning teams crystallize priorities aligned with the organization's mission and vision. These priorities serve as the foundation for developing the plan. Facilitating Steering Committee Meetings: Steering committee meetings are crucial for decision-making and guiding the strategic planning process. External facilitators can lead these meetings, ensuring productive discussions, consensus-building, and alignment with organizational goals. Developing Components of the Strategic Plan: Contractors can support in drafting or reviewing various components of the plan, including vision and mission statements, goals, objectives, and action plans. They may ensure these components are clear, concise, and aligned with the overarching strategic direction. Developing a Draft Implementation Plan: An implementation plan outlines how to achieve strategic goals, including timelines, responsible parties, and resource allocation. Contractors can support an organization to develop a draft implementation plan that outlines actionable steps to translate the strategic plan into reality. Developing Quality Improvement Metrics: Contractors can assist in guiding the development of metrics to measure the effectiveness of the strategic plan. These metrics should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), providing a framework for monitoring progress and making data-driven decisions. Conducting Training Among Organization Staff: To ensure buy-in and understanding of the strategic plan and process itself, contractors can help develop and co-facilitate training sessions for staff members. These sessions may cover strategic objectives, action plans, and their roles in achieving organizational goals. Developing a Communication Plan: Effective communication is an essential key for keeping any strategic plan off the shelf. Contractors can support an organization in developing a comprehensive communication plan that outlines key messages, target audiences, communication channels, and timelines to ensure consistent and transparent communication throughout the organization and with partners. Developing Process Logs, Templates, and Meeting Notes: Contractors can create documentation tools such as process logs, templates for strategic planning documents, and detailed meeting notes. These resources streamline the planning process, capture important discussions and decisions, and serve as valuable references when considering sustainability. In summary, external support brings valuable expertise and resources to public health planning processes, enabling organizations to navigate complexities, engage partners effectively, and develop actionable strategic plans that drive positive health outcomes for communities. OE22-2203 PHIG website yes