Description

This training series equips public health professionals with the skills to advance policy and funding priorities even when resources are limited.

Participants will build the skills to engage decision-makers, operate effectively in nonpartisan settings, and use media advocacy to amplify messages and mobilize supporters. Participants will leave with tools they can use to influence policy when time, staff, and budgets are limited.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course/program, the learner will have:

• Constructed a business case for a public health program or research initiative
• Applied basic financial and economic concepts (cost-benefit analysis, ROI, cost-effectiveness) in language decision-makers understand
• Distinguished between need-based framing ("this problem is urgent") and value-based framing ("this investment delivers returns") and determined when to use each framing
• Translated program data into compelling value propositions for specific audiences

List of Topics and Activities

• Storytelling & Communication
• Policy Insider: Navigating budgets and securing funding
• Inside the Funder's Perspective

Who Should Attend

Registration is open to public health professionals in government, academia, and nonprofit sectors who want to build their strategic planning and communication skills to effectively engage with legislators and advance their public health priorities.

Program Structure

This is a live course that will take place on Zoom on September 29th, 2026.

Certificate

After successfully completing the program, learners will receive a certificate of completion from the Johns Hopkins Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy. While not conveying academic credit, it will document the learner's competency in the knowledge and skills delivered in the program and successful completion of course requirements. Learners can receive this certificate if they register for both sessions 2 and 3.

Additional Information

Continuing Education. Course completers can receive:

• Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH), pending approval by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
• Certified in Public Health (CPH) credits, pending approval by the National Board of Public Health Examiners

Course/Program Prerequisites

None.

Materials

All online content will be accessible via canvas.jhu.edu. All evaluation surveys will be hosted in Qualtrics.

Requirements for Learners

None.

Technical Prerequisites

Registration will take place on the Canvas LMS (Canvas.jhu.edu). You will need the ability to log on to the platform, preferably using Google Chrome, to complete registration.

Hardware: Computer; webcam; microphone and speakers, or headset.

Software: Google Chrome web browser; access to Canvas.jhu.edu; Zoom web conferencing; Microsoft Office or similar email.

Fee Structure

Registration is open from June 1st, 2026 until the course start date, September 29th. Early bird pricing will be in effect until September 15th, 2026. Group discounts are available for groups of 5 or more. Please email JHOnline@jhmi.edu if you are interested in group pricing.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be available until the course start date, September 14, 2026.

You will receive a confirmation by email from Instructure. If you have not received it within 24 hours, email the Office of Online Education to confirm your payment was successful.

Johns Hopkins reserves the right to cancel or postpone any activity due to unforeseen circumstances. Under such circumstances, registrants will be notified as soon as possible.

For Further Information

Website: publichealth.jhu.edu/lerner-center/advocacy-action-lab

For technical assistance with the course, Canvas.jhu.edu, or learnmore.jhu.edu, please email the Office of Online Education.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Johns Hopkins University fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. Please notify lernercenter@jhu.edu if you have any special needs.

Copyright Information

All rights reserved — Johns Hopkins University. No part of this program may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews.

Disclaimer Statement

The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this activity are their own. This enduring material is produced for educational purposes only. Use of the Johns Hopkins Medicine name implies review of educational format design and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information and safety profile of specific drugs or combination of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.