Aim and objectives:
The Horowitz Center partnered with the Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors to offer the Health Literacy Champion Toolkit.
Target group:
The Toolkit is for local health department staff to assess health literacy capacity, develop an action plan, and commit to implementing the plan. State health departments and other organisations may also find the toolkit a valuable assessment and planning tool, although some of their organisational functions may differ.
Method:
The Health Literacy Champion Process has 5 steps:
- Review the Toolkit background document;
- Health Literacy Check-Up: assess health literate policies and procedures in the department;
- Health Literacy Action Plan: develop SMART goals and an action plan;
- Health Literacy Pledge: commit to implementing the plan;
- Action Plan Implementation: implement the plan.
Outcomes:
The Partnership supports health literacy training that aligns with national standards and the development of a database of evidence-based health literacy training resources to aid in program development.
Added value:
The initiative supports the engagement of multiple local health counties in the development of health literacy strategic plans, including discussing county-specific strengths, gaps, and opportunities, accreditation opportunities, education and professional development, guidelines for Maryland to become a health literate state.
