Conference Abstract Compendium Examples from the ... - CityMatCH

2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership ConferenceACCOMPLISHMENTS/RESULTSIn 2005, we launched the Life-Course Initiative. To date, we have conducted multiple staff trainings,secured buy-in from key leadership, engaged our community partners, and developed and implemented afinancial security project designed to integrate the key concepts of the Life-Course Perspective into ourday-to-day practice. Getting to this point has taken considerable work, planning and focus. It has alsorequired the use of leadership techniques, theories, and skills aimed at creating a community that wasopen to and willing to change.BARRIERSMaking change at a local health department takes time. People have been operating under a particular wayof thinking for several decades, and suggesting that they change or consider new directions can becomplicated and challenging. The primary barriers had to do with staff worrying that making thisparadigm shift would require more time for them to do their work and that “we are just a healthdepartment, so how can we really make a difference with this new perspective?” Open and candiddiscussions focusing on staff and community partners’ concerns were enormously helpful in shaping theInitiative and the collaborations that have resulted.LESSONS LEARNEDParticipants talk candidly about their struggles in introducing innovation and the lessons they havelearned from doing so, their “survival tips.” Introducing innovation and change requires a range ofleadership skills, the ability to be flexible while maintaining your vision, and the capacity to trust that thedirection you are seeking to move in will benefit your staff, your programs, and the community offamilies, women, children and youth you serve.63