Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to a quarter of the U.S. population, playing an essential role in expanding access to health care, improving health outcomes, and reducing health disparities nationwide. Medicaid directors are responsible for maintaining core program operations while advancing ambitious policy and delivery system innovations, ensuring the program reaches its full potential.
Despite the influential role of Medicaid leaders, few opportunities exist to support their professional development. The Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI), established by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), is uniquely positioned to support Medicaid directors in strengthening the necessary skills to successfully lead their programs and impact key health outcomes. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 83 state Medicaid directors and their senior teams from states across the political spectrum have participated in MLI since 2009.
MLI includes four core components:
- A competency-based leadership model: Fellows and their senior managers receive expert training through a curriculum grounded in a competency-based core leadership framework. This framework will guide core leadership topics, including personal leadership and self-management; setting and managing strategic direction; engaging and motivating people; practicing good public administration; and driving and delivering results.
- Individualized leadership coaching for Fellows and select senior staff: Each Fellow is assigned a leadership coach for themselves and three members of their senior team. Coaching is designed to help the Fellows and team members translate learned competencies into their daily practice.
- Alumni connections and mentorship: Each Fellow will be assigned an MLI alumnus who will be available as a mentor throughout the fellowship period. Alumni will support Fellows in exercising their leadership skills, addressing challenges, and offering advice on their leadership projects.
- Communications training: Fellows receive strategic communications training empowering them to effectively convey the health impacts of their programs on people and communities. The training focuses on articulating Medicaid’s value and amplifying community voices to both internal and external stakeholders.
How to Apply
Medicaid directors in all states, commonwealths, and territories are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who have been in their positions at least nine months. Up to six Medicaid directors will be selected.
To learn more and apply, download the Request for Applications. Applications are due June 23, 2025, 5 pm ET.
MLI 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.
