ChangeLab Solutions

08/27/2026

In today's complex policy environment, changemakers need to know how to craft laws and policies that can withstand legal challenges.

Do you know who has authority to take action in your jurisdiction? Can you identify legal issues that could make your policy more vulnerable? Do you know when to consult an attorney and what questions to ask to address legal risks and identify paths forward?

Our new training, Navigating Legal Challenges, will help you answer these questions and more. Led by attorneys Jami Crespo, Katie Hannon Michel, and Melani Tiongson, this unique course draws on ChangeLab’s decades of experience helping communities shape laws and policies that improve health and well-being. Designed for anyone working to advance policy and community change without a legal background, our training offers practical, accessible skills that are traditionally taught only in law school.

In this interactive 2-hour training you’ll gain:

- An understanding of legal authority, including where it comes from, how to find it, and how it shapes policymaking
- Insights into common legal issues, such as preemption and constitutional constraints that can influence policy selection and design
- Strategies for partnering with attorneys to navigate legal questions, assess risks, and determine potential paths forward
- Resources for continued learning and long-term skill development

Join us on Thursday, September 24 or Wednesday, September 30 to build practical legal skills for crafting effective, resilient policies that meet your community’s needs.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/navigating-legal-challenges_2026

07/29/2026

Students with ADHD and Tourette syndrome (TS) often have unique educational needs and may benefit from school-based interventions, modifications, and supports. Some students may also be eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). One pathway to eligibility is the Other Health Impairment (OHI) category.

Designed for state policymakers, health care providers, school mental health specialists, and families, our new guide helps clarify how OHI eligibility applies to students with ADHD and TS and why access to special education services matters. It also explores how state and local policies can strengthen access to resources that help students succeed in school and support their overall well-being.

Read the guide: https://www.changelabsolutions.org/product/policy-options-special-ed-access-students-adhd-tourette



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This publication is part of a project conducted in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Temple University's Center for Public Health Law Research, and ChangeLab Solutions. This publication was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,649,998.00 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

07/02/2026

Are you attending hashtag ? We’re excited to join this year’s conference in Louisville, Kentucky and connect with colleagues from across the United States who are working to shape the future of public health practice.

ChangeLab Solutions vice president of law, Sabrina Adler; managing director, Cesar De La Vega; and senior attorney, Katie Hannon Michel will be presenting at the following sessions — we hope to see you there!

Legal and Policy Considerations in Policymaking Related to Health Equity
Tuesday, July 14, 8:00-10:00am ET
Work to advance health equity is more critical than ever, but local health departments face an ever-changing legal and federal policy landscape. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of laws and policies that affect health departments' ability to work on equity-promoting policies.

Local Policy Approaches for Promoting Healthy Foods and Beverages
Thursday, July 16, 3:30-4:30pm ET
Local health departments are critical actors when it comes to ensuring access to and affordability of healthy foods and beverages. This session will provide an overview of two initiatives supporting local policymaking related to healthy foods and beverages, and will include actionable takeaways for local actors.

https://www.changelabsolutions.org/news/NACCHO_2026

06/17/2026

Recently, ChangeLab Solutions' CEO Sarah de Guia sat down for a video conversation with Board Chair, Dr. Lydia Isaac. Lydia brings deep wisdom from her public health journey and her current work at the National Urban League. They had a candid conversation about what it takes to lead with purpose and stay grounded in equity work during challenging times.

They discussed several major themes:

- Board governance: How to build diverse boards, avoid “board creep”, and plan for the next generation of leadership

- Equitable policy in challenging times: How organizations can provide practical resources and leverage the law to support communities and advance equity, even in a hostile policy environment

- Advancing equity at the National Urban League: Lydia's vital efforts to center youth mental health priorities and protect voting rights as a core public health issue

If any of these topics connect with you and your work, we invite you to watch the video of the conversation. bit.ly/4vZ72aP

In this inaugural episode of Conversations on Equity & Leadership, ...

06/04/2026

Litigation can play a critical role in advancing public health goals. Amicus briefs help ensure courts understand the science, context, and real-world impacts behind each case.

Join ChangeLab Solutions and Northeastern University’s Center for Health Policy and Law on Thursday, June 25 at 10am PT / 1pm ET for Shaping Public Health in the Courts: The Role of Amicus Briefs and Cross-Sector Partnerships. This one-hour webinar will examine how legal action can improve public health to foster healthier, more equitable communities.

In this session, you’ll learn:

- How litigation can be used as a strategic tool to advance public health
- The role and impact of amicus briefs
- How public health professionals and scientists can work with lawyers to promote public health in the courts
- About recent public health litigation and amicus brief efforts and the challenges of doing this work

Save your spot to gain insights on advancing public health through litigation. Register here: bit.ly/4uISY4R

04/30/2026

Structural racism drives many health inequities in the United States, and laws and policies have played a major role in shaping unequal access to the conditions that support good health. Because colorblind approaches fail to remedy these harms, it is essential for policymakers and community leaders to understand the legal landscape related to race-conscious policymaking.

Recent court decisions and executive actions have increased scrutiny of efforts to advance racial equity. However, the core civil rights framework remains intact, and many equity‑focused policy strategies are fully lawful. Our new legal primer and webinar are designed to help changemakers develop and implement policies that center health and racial equity.

Policymaking to Advance Health & Racial Equity equips policymakers, public agencies, and community partners with practical and legally-grounded guidance on how to design, implement, and defend policies that promote equity. It explores the legal standards governing equitable policymaking and provides information on how to evaluate legal risks and apply strategies to advance feasible, community-informed solutions. Read the primer: https://www.changelabsolutions.org/product/legal-primer-policymaking-advance-health-racial-equity

Join us on May 12 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET for a webinar on Policymaking to Advance Health & Racial Equity. This session lays the groundwork for why racial equity matters, offers an overview of the current legal landscape and its implications for health and racial equity, and introduces our new legal primer. Register today: https://changelabsolutions.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JUavJPY_R3eqNQewsF3G_Q #/registration

RacialEquity Policymaking HealthEquity

04/16/2026

This moment is challenging for all of us working in community health — and it calls for care, intention, and strategic action.

In a new blog, CEO Sarah de Guia shares how ChangeLab Solutions is intentionally meeting today’s uncertainty while continuing to advance health, equity, and democracy alongside our partners nationwide. Including:

- Defending the legal foundations of health, equity & civil rights by providing timely legal analysis, practical tools, and direct support to public health and government leaders navigating shifting legal and political terrain.

- Advancing equitable policy implementation through trainings, new resources like our Legal Primer for Policymaking to Advance Health & Racial Equity, and partnerships that strengthen state and local capacity to implement policy with intention.

- Supporting community-driven policy change by centering community leadership, responding to real-time challenges facing nonprofits and local collaboratives, and helping partners adapt and advance equitable solutions in uncertain conditions.

- Identifying innovative legal & policy change opportunities by examining how governance, information, and community power intersect — and investing in collaborative approaches that support participatory democracy and lasting systems change.

Read the full update and learn more about the initiatives currently underway at ChangeLab Solutions.

https://www.changelabsolutions.org/blog/meeting-moment-strengthening-public-health-civil-rights-democracy