The Policy Academy begins in July 2022 and registration is now open! If you are interested in participating, please contact Diana Rono. Registration will close on June 3, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET. The first Zoom call will be held on July 14, 2022.

Through the Policy Academy, NCSD’s policy team trains individuals from state and local health department STD programs and allies on how to engage in policy and policymaker education safely and effectively. By providing an overview of policy basics and options, and building skills to navigate policy, NCSD strives to demystify policy work, and empower STD program staff to effectively utilize this powerful strategy. Through the five online modules, health department STD programs and allies will:

• Learn policy basics and legislative and non-legislative options for policy work
•  Learn how to engage in policy and policymaker education safely
• Gain skills to address public health program challenges through policy
• Develop messaging that resonates with department and government officials
• Understand how to leverage partnerships and coalitions to engage with policymakers

In addition to one-on-one technical assistance throughout the Policy Academy, NCSD will assist participants with activities such as in-state education briefings or meetings, factsheet creation, and messaging development.

To fully take part in the Policy Academy, participants should plan on the following:

• Join a 30-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with NCSD staff for orientation, personalized assistance on your policy topic, and to discuss options. These will take place May-July 2022 and NCSD staff will schedule your call after you apply.
• Watch five 20-30 minute pre-recorded modules.
• Participate in two Zoom meetings and one in-person meeting at NCSD’s office in Washington, D.C. on July 28-29, 2022, to discuss case studies and best policy practices with guest speakers.
• Participate in two follow-up meetings after the Policy Academy concludes to discuss the development of a policy goal.

In the years since the Policy Academy began, more than 150 participants have been trained. Participants come from state and local health departments and other allied partners. These participants have addressed policy topics ranging from expedited partner therapy (EPT) to STD prevention partner-related barriers to third-trimester syphilis testing requirements. In many cases, the time spent tackling these topics in the Policy Academy has ultimately led to policy movement at the state-level!