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Abstract
Wadsworth
Center, a research-intensive public health laboratory, provides the New
York State Department of Health with a scientific foundation for its policies
and practices. Those who craft health-related legislation can also benefit
from an improved understanding of the science and technology behind public
health issues. To provide them an educational opportunity and to establish
Wadsworth as a ready source of scientific expertise, the laboratory initiated
an annual legislative workshop in 1993.
The target audience
is staff of Senate and Assembly members, especially those who sit on Health,
Environment, Finance, and Ways and Means committees; policy and budget
staff from the Governor's Executive Chamber; and Health Department attorneys
who draft regulations. The program's content changes yearly, but the goal
remains constant: to explain in a concise, comprehensible manner what
is known about a given topic, how the laboratory applies that knowledge
to health threats, and how researchers at Wadsworth are pursuing additional
knowledge.
The workshop runs
for three consecutive mornings and is held at one of Wadsworth's laboratory
facilities, conveniently located next to the Capitol. Each day is composed
of 40 minute presentations, demonstrations, tours and informal interaction.
Speakers are doctoral-level staff who conduct research or oversee service
laboratories.
Toolkit
Choosing
the topics
survey past participants • review current legislative issues •
seek recommendations from key scientific staff • consider recent
laboratory advances or challenges • evaluate health/science media
coverage • identify a theme for each day
Developing the
program
meet with each day's speakers • review goals of the program •
discuss theme and individual components • use specific examples to
illustrate trends in laboratory science • offer guidelines on language
and visuals to speakers • determine deadlines
Sending the message
home
create a take-home notebook of materials • annotated outline, glossary
and reading list for each presentation • review language for lay
accessibility • include bio and contact information for all speakers
• encourage attendees to follow up • send notebook to registrants
who failed to attend
Research
and Evaluation
Reaching
an audience
identify key legislative staff • consult with governmental affairs
office • send save the date card two months in advance • mail
registration brochure one month in advance • remind registrants two
days before program
Keeping the audience
• schedule workshop early in the day • preview presentations
• stress translation of complex subjects • keep presentations
short and interactive • include laboratory tours, if possible •
encourage questions • be alert to audience confusion and ask for
clarifications • stay on schedule
Evaluating the
impact
• written impact evaluation for each day • assessment of each
speaker, program strengths and weaknesses, benefits of the program, and
most/least effective components
Conclusions
• workshop has been well-received • participants use notebook
for future reference • some policy decisions are informed by workshop
presentations
Additional
Information
• used as a model for Association of Public Health Laboratories'
Hill Day to educate U.S. Senators and Representatives • several other
state health laboratories initiated similar programs • didactic components
easily replicated (except for the tours) and brought to state or local
legislators
Budget
About $500 for refreshments and supplies
Mailing and printing are covered by institutional services.
In
kind staff time: 40 hours for two full-time staff; 15 hours for additional
staff involved in production of invitations, binders, etc.
Contact
Katherine
Zdeb, Laboratory Media Specialist
Box 509, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12201-0509
zdeb@wadsworth.org
(518) 474-6713
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Created: 9/16/2002
Last update: 10/29/02
Contact: inquiries@nist.gov
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