National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices Project Overview NGA Policy Academy Improving Oral Health Care for Children

© 2000 National Governors Association What is Technical Assistance? The provision of data, research, expertise, and other support to help decision makers: – Think through policy options; – Design and implement new systems and programs; and/or – Make existing systems and programs more effective.

© 2000 National Governors Association Types of Technical Assistance Literature Reviews Quick-Response Memoranda Issue Briefs, Reports Conference Calls Onsite Visits Seminars, Roundtables, and Policy Forums Other

© 2000 National Governors Association What is a Policy Academy? Type of technical assistance Structured workshop Influential policymakers Coordinated response Specific issue Process, not an event

© 2000 National Governors Association Why a Policy Academy? Promote strategic planning Learn from other state experiences Establish/reinforce dialogue Build consensus and plan for change

© 2000 National Governors Association Academy Purpose team policy initiative implemented For each team to develop a state-wide policy initiative (Action Plan) that can be realistically implemented to improve oral health care for children

© 2000 National Governors Association Participant States Academy I Academy II Academy III AlabamaColoradoMinnesotaOhioOregon South Carolina VirginiaArkansasDelawareGeorgiaKentuckyTennesseeUtah West Virginia WyomingFloridaHawaiiIndianaMaineMassachusettsMississippiMissouriPennsylvania

© 2000 National Governors Association General Team Composition Governor’s health policy advisor Member(s) of the legislature State dental director Medicaid/SCHIP director(s) State dental association Others

© 2000 National Governors Association Hopeful Outcome(s) Executive Order(s) Legislation Budget proposals/ funding mechanisms Interagency agreements (Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement) Informal partnerships Rules or regulations Program standards/ guidelines (licensure requirements) Task forces/ Committees Other

© 2000 National Governors Association Site Visit Objectives Familiarize teams with Action Plan Discuss Academy format Ensure teams function Set teams in motion (homework)

Policy Academy for State Officials Improving Oral Health Care for Children National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices The Action Plan

© 2000 National Governors Association A Return to Purpose policy initiative For each team to develop a state-wide policy initiative (Action Plan) that can be realistically implemented to improve oral health care for children

© 2000 National Governors Association Policy Initiative Framework (The Action Plan) The Vision (Your State Tomorrow) The Reality Assessment (Your State Today) Priorities/Goals (Gaps) Strategies with Potential (Tactical Plans) Action Steps (Work Assignments)

© 2000 National Governors Association The Vision (Your State Tomorrow) Provides a statement of purpose Presents a picture of your ideal future (independent of the current reality) Serves as a reference point for all future decisions

© 2000 National Governors Association Sample Vision Statement We envision a State where every child enjoys optimal oral health; where prevention is emphasized and treatment is available, accessible, affordable, and timely; where parents are involved, providers are engaged, and insurers are responsible; where government is a guarantor of resources, quality, and patient protection; and where the total well-being of the child is promoted.

© 2000 National Governors Association The Reality Assessment (Your State Today) Requires a review / inventory of: – Key problem issues in your State – Previous policy actions taken to address these issues – Current political environment Assesses your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats Helps to identify resources at your disposal Provides context for your efforts

© 2000 National Governors Association Team Priorities/Goals (Gaps) Areas where you will focus your energy and resources Likely to be the “gaps” between your vision and the current reality Form the basis for planning, policy-making, and setting performance standards May be short-term and/or long-term

© 2000 National Governors Association Strategies with Potential (Tactical Plans) Broad-ranging tactics to affect change Often require statewide or cross-agency efforts Usually involve the combination of several courses of action Should be directly related to your priorities/goals

© 2000 National Governors Association Action Steps (Work Assignments) Specific activities undertaken based on your strategy(-ies) Require action from specific individuals (or entities) Considerations: – Who is responsible for coordinating each action? – Who is responsible for completing each action? – What resources are required? – What is the timeline? – Who will be affected? – How will success be measured?

© 2000 National Governors Association Visualizing the Action Plan

Policy Academy for State Officials Improving Oral Health Care for Children National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices The Planning Guide

© 2000 National Governors Association What is the Planning Guide? Guidance tool Purpose is to help your team: – Prepare for the Academy – Develop your Action Plan

© 2000 National Governors Association Academy Stages State preparation – Site visits – Homework Formal Policy Academy Post-Academy implementation (and technical assistance)

© 2000 National Governors Association State Preparation (Site Visits) Familiarize teams with Action Plan Discuss Academy format Ensure teams function Set teams in motion (homework)

© 2000 National Governors Association State Preparation (Homework) Formalize decision making process Develop a common vision Assess current reality Narrow priorities / goals Develop team presentation

© 2000 National Governors Association Working as a Team Choose a Leader Establish Tasks, Time Table, and Timekeeper Select a Scribe Develop Team Ground Rules Determine Decision Making Process Check-In and Check-Out

© 2000 National Governors Association Team Tips Try to stay focused Encourage ideas Challenge your assumptions Highlight and explore your differences Differentiate between what you are totally committed to and what you can live with

© 2000 National Governors Association During the Academy Teams “complete” Action Plans – State Presentations – State Delegation Meetings – Report-Outs Feedback from faculty and peers

© 2000 National Governors Association State Team Presentation Discuss your initial vision, priorities/goals Elaborate on key issues and your efforts to address those issues Emphasize transferable themes and activities Solicit feedback from faculty and peers

© 2000 National Governors Association State Delegation Meetings Continue developing Action Plan – Reaffirm team vision, priorities/goals – Formulate policy and program strategies – Assign specific action steps based on strategies (optional) Confer “one-on-one” with faculty, peers

© 2000 National Governors Association State Report-Outs Outline Action Plan (brief) Discuss how priorities may have changed (or been reinforced) Elaborate on immediate next steps Identify potential technical assistance needs Solicit feedback from faculty and peers

© 2000 National Governors Association Following the Academy Finalize strategies (short- and long-range) Develop specific action steps Implement the Action Plan – Agree on a timeline – Develop benchmarks / outcome measures Report on progress Seek technical assistance as needed

© 2000 National Governors Association Team Challenges Building team consensus around Action Plan Staying focused Encouraging ideas Challenging assumptions Highlighting/exploring differences Differentiating between what team members are totally committed to and what they can live with

© 2000 National Governors Association Team Challenges (cont’d) Identifying politically feasible strategies Presenting a clear message to influential policymakers Generating public and political will to support Action Plan Implementing the Action Plan through executive, legislative, administrative, and private sector (non-government) processes

© 2000 National Governors Association NGA Center for Best Practices ( Robert J. Burns Policy Analyst National Governors Association Center for Best Practices 444 North Capitol Street, Suite 267 Washington, DC (202) fax: (202)