The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for two key elements of the redesigned State Health Leadership Initiative (SHLI). Through funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), ASTHO administers the State Health Leadership Initiative (SHLI) and provides resources to help state and territorial health officials: (1) achieve success in their role as chief health strategist for their state or territory; (2) develop strategic partnerships to improve well-being; and (3) lead a state or territorial governmental public health agency in a way that assures the responsibilities (authorities) of the state health agency are achieved.

There are several program elements to the SHLI program. ASTHO is looking to contract with a partner organization(s) to co-design and administer two leadership development experiences as part of the SHLI program.

Applicants may submit proposals for one or both of the following leadership development training programs, briefly described below:

• Individual Leadership Development Training for Newly Appointed Health Officials: The goal of this program is to provide a one-year leadership development experience designed to support and develop the individual capacity and core competencies of newly appointed health officials to effectively lead and manage their public health agencies. Each year, a new cohort of newly appointed health officials will be formed. For this grant period, a cohort will be formed in the fall of 2017 and then one in July 2018. It is anticipated that this experience could be accomplished through individual assessment, coaching, in-person and virtual cohort experiences, tools, etc. The maximum funding amount of the award is $500,000 for the estimated period of performance from September 2017 – March 2019.
• Applied Leadership Development Training for Cross-Sector Teams: The goal of this program is to provide a one-year leadership development experience for cross-sector teams which includes team assessment, coaching, tools and project/coalition support that develop core competencies to enable them to produce transformative change in their state or territory and help build a Culture of Health. The maximum funding amount of the award is $350,000 for the estimated period of performance from September 2017 – March 2019.

The SHLI RFP webpage has the RFP along with the attachments and important reference materials posted.
You may pose individual questions to ASTHO at any point during the application process by e-mailing leadership@astho.org. Frequently asked questions and answers will be posted regularly on the SHLI RFP webpage.
Applications must be submitted by May 22 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.