1 HRSA ESAR-VHP Legal and Regulatory Issues Project 10 Steps to Legal Technical Assistance James G. Hodge, Jr., J.D., LL.M. Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Executive Director, Center for Law & Public Health Center Faculty, Berman Bioethics Institute Principal Investigator, HRSA ESAR-VHP Legal & Reg. Issues Project

2 10 Steps to Legal Technical Assistance 1.Organize Efforts and Personnel 2.Determine the Knowledge Base of Audience 3.Develop Meaningful Tools and Products for Education 4.Identify Relevant State and Local Contacts 5.Build Internal Competencies on Key Legal Issues 6.Anticipate Jurisdiction-Specific Issues 7.Provide Access to Experts to Facilitate In-house Efforts 8.Link Partners at the Federal, State, and Local Levels 9.Report on Progress 10. Assess and Respond to Additional Needs

3 1. Organize Efforts and Personnel Develop strategic consensus on technical assistance with HRSA and its partners Mobilize existing personnel within the Center and its partners Assess existing knowledge bases and enhance where needed

4 2. Determine the Knowledge Base of Audience Assess targeted and potential members of the legal audience in ESAR-VHP pilot states Seek input from HRSA and its partners on the existing legal knowledge base Consider relevant assistance activities fashioned consistent with the knowledge base

5 3. Develop Meaningful Tools and Products for Education HRSA ESAR-VHP Legal and Regulatory Issues Report Checklist on ESAR-VHP Legal and Regulatory Issues Advanced Toolkit on ESAR-VHP Legal and Regulatory Issues

6 4. Identify Relevant State and Local Contacts Ongoing correspondence with federal and state partners to identify relevant persons Create network of contacts and their data to mobilize during emergencies

7 5. Build Internal Competencies on Key Legal Issues Distribute and assist in the use and implementation of the Center’s toolkit Develop in-state talent and knowledge to provide ready resource for ESAR-VHP pilot state committees for the short- and long-term Monitor competencies among key personnel

8 6. Anticipate Jurisdiction-Specific Issues Prepare for major issue identification and resolution in each state or jurisdiction Acknowledge and embrace distinctions between national, state, local, and “model” approaches Assist in identifying issues that exceed the “norm,” or may raise obstacles to system implementation

9 7. Provide Access to Experts to Facilitate In-house Efforts Help resolve jurisdiction-specific issues through non-binding guidance on comparable approaches or unique options Develop communication channels [teleconferences, websites, list serves] to broaden perspectives Consistently involve legal contacts in each jurisdiction

10 8. Link Partners at the Federal, State, and Local Levels Acknowledge the critical role of peer contributions [e.g., state attorneys talking to other state attorneys] Use existing Center relationships with HRSA, FEMA, CDC, APHA, ASTHO, NACCHO, NALBOH, PHLA, NCSL, and others to link legal and non-legal partners Serve as a conduit for discussions on problems and resolutions

11 9. Report on Progress Monitor stages of progress within 10 ESAR-VHP pilot states on developing legal competency and resolving issues Consistently report to HRSA and its partners on progress through innovative updates and informative tables Seek feedback through HRSA and its partners on issues and proposed solutions

Assess and Respond to Additional Needs Flexibility is key – ESAR-VHP may connect the states and territories, but their legal issues and solutions may differ extensively Be prepared for unique challenges requiring unique responses Encourage state and territorial legal partners to f ocus on the overall vision of ESAR-VHP

13 Checklist Timeline Organize Efforts and Personnel Determine the Knowledge Base of Audience Develop Meaningful Tools and Products for Education Identify Relevant State and Local Contacts Build Internal Competencies on Key Legal Issues Month of ESAR-VHP Program

14 Checklist Timeline Anticipate Jurisdiction-Specific Issues Provide Access to Experts to Facilitate In house Efforts Link Partners at the Federal, State, and Local Levels Report on Progress Assess and Respond to Additional Needs Month of ESAR-VHP Program

15 Conclusions Comments Thoughts Questions Thank you!