Uniting for Public Health in Wyoming

Uniting for Public Health (UPH) in Wyoming is a non-partisan program that brings together residents throughout Wyoming to build relationships, strengthen collaboration skills, explore different perspectives on local issues, and work together to improve public health. UPH is a part of the national Uniting for Democracy initiative.

Program Goals:

1. Build relationships across difference
2. Increase understanding of different views on health issues
3. Strengthen collaboration and communication skills
4. Address a public health challenge through a local solution
5. Broaden civic participation to empower people from underrepresented communities to fully engage and lead​

Participants:
Anyone 18+ who lives in Wyoming and embraces the goals above is invited to apply. In other words, it's for you!
​

Implementing Organizations:

• Lead for America: This local effort will be led by Kaitlyn Hill, a Public Health Equity Corps Fellow (a collaboration between LFA and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) who is originally from Evanston, WY and is serving with the Wyoming Department of Health for two years. 
• Urban Rural Action: Provides facilitation support to participants and connects efforts in Wyoming with the national Uniting for Democracy initiative

Uniting for Public Health in WY Overview
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UPH consists of three phases (see below), during which participants will gather on Zoom and engage on Slack with other U4D teams working on democracy challenges across the country.  ​​​

​Phase 1: Relationship-Building and Constructive Dialogue
​
We will use the ABCs of Constructive Dialogue to achieve a shared understanding of different views while building connection

May 17, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
​May 31, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
June 14, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT

Phase 2: Planning for Action

We will create Problem Trees to analyze causes and effects of public health challenges AND begin to design a community venture in Wyoming.

June 28, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
July 12, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
​July 26, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT

Phase 3: Taking Action

Implement community venture with a community partner to effect meaningful change

During Phase 3, we will work independently on our projects to increase trust in public health in Wyoming but sync up with the rest of the U4D cohort on the following dates:

August 30, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
October 25, 2022 from 3-4:30 MT
January 3, 2023 from 3-4:30 MT
March 7, 2023 from 3-4:30 MT
June 6, 2023 from 3-4:30 MT

Apply for Uniting for public Health in wyoming by April 15, 2022

FAQ

What are examples of community ventures that participants might implement?

Teams might address misinformation by offering training on news literacy, enhance trust in institutions through community education on civics, or mitigate polarization through experiential training on communication across difference.

What will I get out of this experience?

​ Based on the experience of participants in previous programs, we expect you will walk away with the following:

• Professionals skills in a) communicating effectively with people who have different views than you do, b) analyzing complex interconnected societal challenges, and c) community venture design
• Relationships with people with whom you might not otherwise engage
• A stronger understanding of the challenges that face communities different from your own (through connections with groups across the country)
• Meaningful contributions to a community venture that addresses the challenge of lack of trust in public health in Wyoming

How will we be doing this?

We will meet regularly on Zoom for structured discussion, small group brainstorming, and collaboration. See detailed schedule above. We will communicate throughout by email and Slack. 

What is the cost?

The cost is $25, all of which supports implementation of the program. No one is turned away because of an inability to pay, so if you have difficulty paying the registration fee, please let us know.

​do i need to be available to participate in all of the required events above?

Yes, full participation is required. ​

HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT ARE REQUIRED?

The program requires participation in all of the gatherings laid out in the schedule above, as well as effort to implement your team's venture. While level of effort may vary, you might expect to commit roughly 5 hours / month.