B2.01 - Oral Session: How Texas SOPHE Trains the Next Generation of Public Health Advocates: A Case Study

Brief Abstract Summary: This presentation describes how the Texas SOPHE Advocacy Committee serves as a model for training future public health advocates through experiential learning and mentorship. Guided by an andragogical framework, participants engaged in a scoping review, policy-focused activities, and mentorship to strengthen advocacy competencies. Evaluation included pre/post surveys and interviews assessing changes in knowledge, attitudes, self-confidence, and self-reported behaviors. Over two years, participation quadrupled, and members reported greater advocacy self-efficacy and applied skills in professional settings. Findings highlight a scalable, data-driven approach for state SOPHE chapters to build advocacy and leadership capacity within the public health workforce.

Detailed abstract description:

Background: Public health advocacy is a cornerstone of effective population health practice, yet few structured opportunities exist to train early-career professionals in advocacy competencies. State-level SOPHE chapters are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by integrating real-world policy engagement with mentorship and professional development. The Texas SOPHE (TSOPHE) Advocacy Committee sought to operationalize this opportunity by developing a structured, replicable framework for cultivating advocacy skills among its members.

Purpose: To describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of TSOPHE’s advocacy training model designed to equip public health students and professionals with applied advocacy skills, leadership experience, and policy engagement capacity.

Methods: Guided by an andragogical framework emphasizing experiential learning, mentorship, and reflection, this case study involved advocacy committee members in conducting a scoping review and other advocacy activities under tailored mentorship. To evaluate the model’s effectiveness, participants completed pre- and post-program surveys and semi-structured interviews assessing changes in advocacy-related knowledge, attitudes, self-confidence, and self-reported behaviors. Quantitative and qualitative data were triangulated with documentation of advocacy outputs, including policy briefs and coalition collaborations.

Results: Over two years, 16 individuals participated in the model, quadrupling engagement within the advocacy committee. Survey and interview findings indicated significant increases in participants’ understanding of policy processes, advocacy communication self-efficacy, and confidence in engaging with decision-makers. Participants also reported applying advocacy concepts in their workplaces and communities. The initiative produced four advocacy briefs disseminated statewide and fostered sustained partnerships with local coalitions.
Discussion and Implications for Practice: This case study illustrates how local SOPHE chapters can serve as effective training grounds for developing advocacy and leadership capacity within the public health workforce. The TSOPHE model provides a scalable, evidence-informed framework that integrates andragogical principles and evaluation data to strengthen advocacy readiness, leadership pipelines, and sustainable policy engagement across the public health field.