Recognizing the critical role local officials play in supporting innovation and change, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of rural children and families living in poverty. The Rural Impact County Challenge (RICC) seeks to highlight and support counties making a real difference in the lives of children in rural communities. County teams will be selected to receive assistance from a Roadmaps to Health Community Coach from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program.
Community Coaches work with local, multi-sector teams through sustainable policies & programs addressing the broad factors that influence the health of communities. The County Health Rankings data and the Roadmaps to Health Action Center form the centerpieces of the coaching process.
The Roadmaps to Health Action Center is an online platform which provides practical help for communities working collectively to improve their communities. It provides guidance and tools to understand the Rankings data, and strategies that communities can use to take action. Coaches refer to the Take Action Cycle throughout coaching and are knowledgeable about its tools and resources. Coaches also bring expertise from a variety of disciplines—from public health to law to social work to urban planning to hospital community benefits—to support leaders in using Action Center tools and guidance to advance their goals.
How Can Community Coaching Help Your County?
Drawing upon tools and resources in the Action Center, Coaches provide support in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:
- Equipping new partnerships with tools and guidance as they get going
- Providing guidance to partnerships looking to strengthen or revamp their approach
- Propelling a community from data assessment to action
- Assisting with issue campaigns or policy advocacy
- Supporting teams in implementing new policies or programs
- Suggesting frameworks, tools, and consultants, for evaluation efforts, and
- Connecting communities to national leaders and expertise and other communities doing similar work.
Coaches customize their guidance for each community based on their assets and goals. Engagement with a Community Coach will last one year. Your county team may include as many members of the community as you would like, but for purposes of engaging with a Community Coach, four to seven core team members must be identified. These core members will engage with the Coach and their other team members during the year. Engagement might include webinars and monthly calls. The core team must be the same throughout the coaching process.The majority of coaching is conducted remotely using a variety of methods. Coaching sessions typically last from 60-90 minutes, but may vary depending upon the team’s needs.
Additionally, RICC Community Coaching teams will have the opportunity to work closely with each other, forming a close network of communities doing similar work.
Apply by November 3 for this opportunity to receive tailored assistance for a year (2018 calendar year) from a CHR&R Coach and join a growing network of communities who share your goals.
Learn more at NACo.org or apply now!