We need to build “systems of advocacy” if we are going to hold the systems that impact our lives accountable.
There is no “science” to trying to change public policy. It is more of an art. An art that is constantly evolving and growing through the development and sharing of good ideas and lessons learned.
Mid-Iowa Health Foundation (MIHF) has over a 30-year history of fostering innovation and being a learning organization. Direct service and core nonprofit support via traditional grant making is and will always be a hallmark of MIHF. That said, in a time of extreme change in the health sector new approaches are likely warranted to achieve different system-level impacts and changes.
Today, I had the honor of launching a new initiative for Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. In a room filled with community partners and thought leaders I announced the launch of the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation HealthConnect Fellowship and the seven inaugural Fellows who were selected by MIHF's Board of Directors to participate in this unique initiative, which brings together key leaders in the community to advance the upstream system level changes necessary to more adequately address social determinants of children’s health.
