Policy and Practice April 2017

Driving

Change The Continued Evolution of Health and Human Services

By Doug Howard

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iscussions about creating modern and responsive health and human services are not new conversations but they come at a critical time. There

are significant federal policy considerations in play, new governance models are emerging, and technology continues to advance at an increasingly rapid pace. Engaging in the discussions is a start, but action must be taken for it to matter. As a leader, driving system change can invite critics, raise operational challenges, and feel risky and uncomfortable, but in the long run it isn’t about comfort, it’s about better outcomes.

Photo illustration by Chris Campbell