Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Although Medicaid plays a critical role in expanding health care access, improving health outcomes, and advancing health equity for millions of people nationwide, few opportunities exist to develop the leadership capacity of senior Medicaid officials who provide long-term continuity for Medicaid programs and serve as the talent pool for future Medicaid directors.
The Medicaid Pathways Program (MPP) seeks to fill this void. It supports senior state agency leaders in strengthening the necessary skills to effectively lead a complex organization like Medicaid and achieve key organizational development goals. MPP is designed for Medicaid leaders who are new to their leadership role and/or are interested in advancing to a more senior role in the future, especially individuals with diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; people with disabilities; individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived or personal experience with Medicaid or another publicly financed program. The program is led by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
MPP is a nine-month leadership development program for up to 20 competitively selected Medicaid leaders (MPP participants). The objectives of MPP are to: (1) strengthen participants’ skills so they can more effectively thrive in complex leadership roles; (2) facilitate the advancement of senior Medicaid leaders, including creating opportunities to support more diversity in leadership positions to reflect the communities served by Medicaid; and (3) build peer relationships and foster a network of Medicaid leaders for idea sharing, problem-solving, and support. The curriculum focuses on four core components:
- Practice a competency-based leadership model. Participants receive expert training that follows a competency-based leadership framework designed for senior executives working in the public sector.
- Engage in individual coaching. Coaches work with participants to craft an individualized leadership development plan that includes personal development goals, activities to practice skills, and opportunities to apply new skills to the participants’ daily work.
- Discuss best practices in Medicaid leadership. Participants are exposed to Medicaid leaders and faculty to apply leadership concepts to real-world policy issues pertinent to leading Medicaid programs.
- Network with peers. Participants develop peer relationships and ongoing support networks that they can draw on throughout the program and beyond.
Program Eligibility
Senior leaders in Medicaid agencies from all states, commonwealths, and territories are eligible to apply. MPP is a non-partisan program with a history of supporting individuals from across the political and geographic spectrum. Senior leader refers to deputy- and executive-team level positions (e.g., deputy director, chief financial officer, chief medical officer) and current or rising senior managers (e.g., bureau/section/unit chiefs, policy directors). Individuals with diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, people with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, and especially those with lived experience with Medicaid or another publicly financed program (such as SNAP or TANF), are strongly encouraged to apply. Up to 20 Medicaid leaders will be selected.
How to Apply
To learn more and apply, download the Request for Applications. Optional informational calls will take place on July 22 and August 7, 2024. Dial-in information can be found in the Request for Applications. Applications are due August 14, 2024, 11:59 pm ET.
MPP is part of CHCS’ leadership and capacity building programs, a unique series of professional development programs that support state Medicaid directors and their management teams in optimizing the performance of publicly financed care.
