Best Practices for Life Course Approach Implementation at the State Level: A Culture Shift Rebecca Gurvich, MPH, Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA Karis Schoellmann, MPH, Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Bureau of Family Health, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA Amy Zapata, MPH, Bureau of Family Health, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA Shokufeh M. Ramirez, MPH, Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA Objective To explain the life course approach and the challenges associated with practical application and to discuss the implementation process of a new approach or philosophy into the public health workforce. Methods Coordinated Louisiana State Team AMCHP Life Course Metrics Project. Conducted literature review and key informant interviews with Life Course approach experts. Synthesized best-practices on how other states are implementing Life Course programming. Presented how other states are currently implementing Life Course to MCH stakeholders. Assessed OPH’s knowledge of Life Course concepts. Formulated recommendations for Life Course utilization and programming at OPH.. Conclusions The translation of Life Course theory to practice in local and state health departments should include research on programmatic best practices and an educational component to facilitate cultural dialogue between internal teams. Although deliberate planning change must take place, a cultural shift in the workforce is also necessary for future success of health administrators in the implementation of life course. Acknowledgements The author acknowledges the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and the Tulane University MCHLT. Special thanks to Dr. Karis Schoellmann, Amy Zapata, Shokufeh Ramirez and Dr. Katherine Theall. Introduction The life course approach considers the broad range of social, economic and environmental factors that impact an individual's health throughout all stages of the lifespan and across population groups. This poster will examine the challenges of practical application of the life course approach at the state health department level. During the summer of 2012, the Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health conducted a literature search and key informant interviews with life course approach experts through partnership with Tulane University. Louisiana staff and authorities in other states in the field of maternal and child health were asked their opinions on the life course approach, to assess how their work fit into the framework and to generate future programming ideas. Results AMCHP Life Course Metrics Project resulted in 105 progress measurement indicators including risk, outcomes, services provided over time and community and organizational readiness. Best practices for implementation occur through education, programming, strategic planning, and sustainable collaboration with community partners. The act of conducting the research itself led to a cultural shift in the Bureau of Family Health (BFH) workforce. Employees began to consider the life course approach with greater importance in daily conversations. Strategy sessions and outputs began to emphasize the inclusion of health disparities such as poverty, racism and fatherhood involvement. Notable Findings from Key Informant Interviews “For it to work, we will have to break down current categorical silos” “The Life Course should be talked about during department strategic planning” “Recognize that it takes time to demonstrate meaningful change”