Health Science Students Join Health Directors at Day at the Capitol Event.

Each year during the legislative session, the Local Public Health Association sponsors a Day at the Capitol Event to allow an opportunity for local public health department directors and staff to convene at the State Capitol to advocate for public health priorities. The event includes a coffee reception with legislators and a planned program that provides attendees with legislative session updates, overview of the LPHA legislative priorities and discussions with legislative leaders, the governor and his cabinet, including the Commissioners from Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Human Services and Department of Children, Youth and Families. After the formal presentation, health department directors and staff can schedule 1:1 meetings with their elected official to build relationships, discuss the work and priorities of public health and share information about local issues.

This year, students and faculty from Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Applied Health Science were invited to attend. These students were currently enrolled in Health 361: Health Communication and Advocacy course. Prior to attending the event, CRPHI member Liz Auch, Director for Countryside Public Health Department and LPHA Legislative Co-Chair and Kari Oldfield-Tabbert, Director for the Local Public Health Association presented to the Health 361 course students about local public health role in the legislative process and their legislative priorities. This was a great introduction to the work for students and set the stage for their attendance at the LPHA Day at the Capitol event. At the event, students were able to join CRPHI members to attend 1:1 meetings with elected officials. Students shared how this was a great experience and allowed them to better understand the process they learned about in class.