{"id":4896,"date":"2014-09-19T22:03:09","date_gmt":"2014-09-19T22:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/?page_id=4896"},"modified":"2026-01-13T21:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T21:40:02","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/the-tool\/overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview of the Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”3″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”4″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”553550″][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”136509″]The Policy Readiness Tool is a self-administered questionnaire that can be used to assess a community or organization\u2019s readiness for policy change. Included with the questionnaire is a series of strategies for working with communities or organizations at different stages of readiness for policy change and a resource list for additional information. The purpose of the Tool is to help advocates and policy developers encourage the adoption of healthy public policy within communities or organizations.[\/vc_column_text][vc_accordion typography=”advanced” sign=”plus” gutter_simple=”0″ titles_size=”custom” titles_weight=”600″ uncode_shortcode_id=”680309″ active_tab=”20″ heading_custom_size=”16″][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Who should use the Policy Readiness Tool?” tab_id=”1765837127-1-79″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”139150″]The Tool can be used by policy developers, advocates, community organizations, community members, municipalities or anyone interested in encouraging healthy public policy development.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”What is healthy public policy?” tab_id=”1765837127-2-93″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”872274″]A healthy public policy is any policy, such as a legislation, taxation, mandated education or fiscal incentive, which seeks to improve the health and wellness of the individuals, community or population that it impacts.1<\/sup>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”What is policy advocacy?” tab_id=”1765837176344-2-0″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”872274″]The World Health Organization defines advocacy as a process of influencing outcomes, such as healthy public policy adoption. Policy advocacy, in particular, concentrates on public policy and resource allocation decisions at the system-level.2<\/sup>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Who developed the Policy Readiness Tool?” tab_id=”1765837185322-3-8″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”872274″]The Policy Readiness Tool was developed with support from the Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention (APCCP).3<\/sup>\u00a0The APCCP represents a range of practitioners, policy-makers, researchers and community organizations that have come together to coordinate efforts, generate evidence and advocate for policy change to reduce the rates of cancer and other chronic diseases in the province of Alberta, Canada.<\/p>\n

For more information on the APCCP visit\u00a0www.apccp.ca<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”How was the Policy Readiness Tool developed?” tab_id=”1765837197384-4-7″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”191932″]The Policy Readiness Tool was developed using Rogers\u2019 Diffusion of Innovation Theory.4<\/sup>\u00a0First, we conducted a literature review to better understand the characteristics of different types of policy \u201cadopters.\u201d We then compiled these characteristics into a pilot Tool to assess a municipality\u2019s readiness for policy change. The Tool was then tested with municipal representatives throughout Alberta.\u200b The Tool will continue to be evaluated by our team to assess its use in different policy environments.<\/p>\n

Coupled with the Policy Readiness Tool are strategies that can be used to encourage the development of healthy public policy. These strategies were collected through interviews with members of the APCCP\u2019s Provincial Advisory Group, a diverse and intersectoral group with significant expertise in the use of policy to build healthier communities. Provincial Advisory Group members were asked about strategies that they use in their work with municipalities at different stages of readiness for policy change. Following the interviews, these strategies were summarized and grouped into themes to accompany the Policy Readiness Tool.\u00a0A list of resources<\/a>\u00a0has also been provided for those looking for more information about policy development strategies.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”How should the Policy Readiness Tool be applied?” tab_id=”1765837206048-5-9″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”872274″]The Policy Readiness Tool was designed to help encourage policy change in support of cancer and chronic disease prevention, but it also applies to the development of healthy public policy more generally (e.g., injury prevention). While the Tool was created with municipalities in mind, it may also be used with other types of governing bodies (e.g., community groups, organizations, school boards) to encourage policy change.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][\/vc_accordion][vc_button border_width=”0″ link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpolicyreadinesstool.com%2Fstaging%2F1509%2Fthe-tool%2Fgetting-started%2F|title:Getting%20Started” icon=”fa fa-chevron-right2″ uncode_shortcode_id=”107567″]Next: Getting Started[\/vc_button][vc_column_text text_lead=”small” uncode_shortcode_id=”167215″]REFERENCES<\/p>\n