Public Policy Fellowship

PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWSHIP

NHF is looking for a Public Policy Fellow that will help develop NHF’s position on policy issues, research policy matters, interact with partner CBOs, and represent the organization at coalition meetings and events. The Public Policy Fellow will work collaboratively with the Community Initiative and Communications teams to ensure alignment between organizational priorities and public policy goals. The Fellow will work closely with team members to assess government activities of importance to NHF, anticipate potential government actions, and develop mitigation positions to assist in our external advocacy efforts. The Fellowship will be for a second year Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Administration student. The Fellowship will be a part time (10-20 hours/week) and paid a stipend of $3000 per semester ($6,000 for a full school year).

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Work Location: On-site, one day a week, Some hybrid/virtual work.

What You’ll Be Doing

Conduct thorough research and analysis of policy or legislation related to or impacting the social determinants of health (SDOH), but specifically homelessness and housing, food insecurity, the built environment, and education.

Represent NHF at government and policy-related coalition meetings and build relationships with partners to increase NHF’s visibility.

Work with the Marketing and Communications Department to prepare a range of materials regarding pending legislation and policy, including but not limited to policy updates, policy briefs, and letters of support/opposition.

Provide public comments on issues pursuant to NHF’s policy/advocacy strategies.

Participate and present at community education and organizing efforts.

Requirements

Enrolled in a Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Administration program.

Knowledge of Los Angeles County government agencies, elected officials, their staff, advocacy groups and civic leadership.

Knowledge of LA City and LA County legislative and other governmental processes.

Familiarity with Sacramento and California state legislative process and elected officials.

Experience working effectively with diverse communities.

Comfortable with preparing and giving presentations, and comfortably interacting with diverse audiences including Board members, elected and appointed officials, policy staff, as well as nonprofit and community groups.

Familiarity with social media platforms.

Experience creating and implementing policy campaigns.

Fluent in English and a second commonly used language in LA County’s under-resourced communities, preferred.

Benefits

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

National Health Foundation (NHF) is guided by a mission to improve the health of individuals and underserved communities by acting on the social determinants of health and bridging the gaps in the healthcare system. All people, regardless of who they are or where they live, can achieve their highest level of health. NHF works within communities to identify and advance solutions that remove barriers and promote health for all who live there.

Research has demonstrated that one of the clearest determinants of health –and health disparities– is where people live. A person’s physical environment, employment opportunities, community safety, and access healthcare providers, (and more) all impact health and are local in nature. The largest health disparities emerge in neighborhoods experiencing poverty and in communities of color. These social determinants can help or hinder a person’s ability to make healthy decisions. People are not homeless; they experience homelessness. People suffering from diabetes may understand what they should be eating, but it does not matter if they cannot purchase fresh produce in their own neighborhood. Physical fitness might be a top priority for everyone, but crime and unlit parks might prevent that from happening. Health starts where people live, learn, work and play.

NHF is committed to addressing the root causes of health disparities by working hand in hand with communities. We empower teens and adults to advocate for their health and identify needed changes in their neighborhoods. Then we help develop and support the community’s vision of health by cultivating partnerships to deliver programs and services that are empathetic and inclusive. We observe, measure, and learn, and repeat as needed.

WHY IT MATTERS

Because health begins long before that visit to the doctor. It begins where we live, learn, work and play.

On any given night, there are 46,000 Angelinos without a home. Of those, more than 29,000 have severe health issues requiring some level of care. Without a home, these individuals experience insurmountable barriers to health and healing.

In the 6 square miles that make up Historic South-Central Los Angeles, there are no gyms and there is only 0.4 acres of park space for the 103,000 people who call the area home. Liquor stores outnumber grocery stores and there are no farmer’s markets. Without opportunities for safe outdoor play and places to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, this community will continue to experience higher than average rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

High school can be a trying time, but for students who are pregnant, parenting, or at risk of becoming pregnant, the challenges are far greater. The impact of pregnancy on health is compounded in communities where poverty and a lack of maternal care are common.

If NHF accomplished its mission, everyone in Southern California would have the opportunity to experience health and would live in a community that supports a healthy lifestyle. That would include a home for every person, access to fresh, healthy foods, opportunities for safe, outdoor physical fitness, and so much more. We have already seen communities take great strides in tackling their negative social determinants, but really, we have only scratched the surface of these issues.