Project Description:

Overview

In an effort to promote nursing leadership and address local health-related issues, the Ohio Action Coalition partnered with Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) program to improve the health and safety of children and encourage nurse participation on the boards of this group or as volunteer advocates.

Summary of completed project

In an effort to promote nursing leadership and address local health-related issues, the Ohio Action Coalition partnered with CASA and the Nurses on Board Coalition (NOBC) to encourage nurse participation in CASA’s efforts by identifying nurses to serve on their local boards throughout Ohio. There are 42 CASA programs in 51 Ohio counties, with 26 programs having independent boards. During a statewide meeting of the Ohio CASA program directors, a presentation was given to explain the goal of the project and importance of nurses serving as board members or volunteers. The Action Coalition collaborated with the NOBC to identify potential nurse board members. Through the NOBC database, the Ohio Action Coalition was able to match qualified interested nurse candidates to serve on the CASA boards in their area. Instead of offering live presentations on board readiness training throughout the state, the Action Coalition posted education resources were on its website. The information was also posted on the NOBC website.

Outcomes

As a result of this project, the Ohio Action Coalition was able to place 18 nurses, and more appointments are pending. This model of identifying a national non-profit that has a local presence within states has successfully helped Ohio exceed its original goal of placing 457 nurses on boards by 2020 (part of the national effort to place 10,000 nurses on boards by 2020). NOBC is using this model as they work with the United Way to place nurses on its boards in communities across the country. The executive director of the Ohio CASA has expressed support for expanding this model to CASA boards in 49 states.