By the end of the PHEARLESS experience learners will:

• Transform their leadership approach to a more holistic and collaborative style.
• Encourage the adoption of life- affirming practices and approaches to decision-making.
• Develop the mindset and skillset to transform systems, structures, and policies, in partnership with community, toward a just and equitable future.
• Create opportunities for networking and collaboration that develops a community of regenerative leaders.
• Develop leaders who can harness the power of strategic communication and messaging
• Support the development of skills such as facilitation, conflict resolution, and strategic planning
• Build the mindset and competencies that foster continued growth of future regenerative leaders
• Facilitate learning and growth through a mix of theoretical and practical learning experiences
• Foster the development of effective regenerative leadership qualities

Those who participate in PHEARLESS will learn from one another, connect to many resources and develop the regenerative leadership mindset and skillset needed in our current times. PHEARLESS will also focus specifically on the development of the mindset and skillset necessary to build robust community networks and redesign community systems that better promote the opportunity for all to thrive. We seek to co-create, with our participants, a regenerative approach in which we mutually learn how to apply these principles to the work of improving the public’s health in communities.

The PHEARLESS initiative integrates regenerative leadership education with innovative collaboration tools to enhance skill development through experiential learning. Such education and skill building are critical to support the collaborative learning and co-creation necessary to tackle the complex issues facing public health leaders and their community partners today.

Program elements

There will be four competency-developing modules over the year and a culminating activity. Three of the four modules will be held virtually and will require the community collectives to meet together in their local community. Each collective will need a suitable meeting space with reliable internet connectivity. The in-person module will require travel in November 2023 as noted below.

All participants will have access to an online learning platform and will be asked to participate on the platform before and after each module. Therefore, each participant will need access to a laptop computer with internet access. We have some limited funds to support community leader applicants who require assistance with these resources.

Eligibility Requirements

General and Specific Participant Criteria

Timeline

• June 6, 2023 - Launch call for applications
• July 14, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EST - Applications due
• An application completeness review will begin on a rolling basis as applications are received.
• August 11, 2023 – Applicants will be notified of their application status.
• September 19-22, 2023 – First live virtual module begins. Times TBD.
• Note that pre-work will be required prior to the September live virtual session.
• November 7-9, 2023 – in person module will convene

• 2022-2023 Landscape Synthesis Summary
• Evaluation Plan

What is regenerative leadership?

This one-year, experiential learning opportunity will introduce participants to a leadership approach that better helps address the complex issues of our times. The approach is a positive, strengths-based, adaptive, systems-thinking, leadership approach termed “regenerative” leadership. Laura Storm and Giles Hutchins introduced many of these concepts of leadership focused on creating positive change and restoring balance in complex living systems. Regenerative leadership, which arises from an understanding of the conditions in which life regenerates, prioritizes empathy, collaboration (and collaborative learning) and systems thinking over traditional controlling models of leadership. By creating positive relationships and nurturing connectivity within a system, regenerative leaders aim to sow the seeds for outcomes that benefit everyone involved.

With whom are we seeking to partner?

PHEARLESS is seeking to support partnerships of local, state, regional, tribal or territorial health jurisdictions who already have experience working together in community to advance health and wellbeing for all. Fifteen community partners will be selected to experience this one-year program. We define each partnership as a “Community Collective” comprising two governmental public health leaders and two community leaders from the same jurisdiction. These leaders should all be individuals who are 1) in a position where they would benefit from additional leadership competency development and 2) support collaborative leadership efforts to improve health and well-being for all. We ask each Community Collective to complete one application.

What type of community is eligible?

All types of jurisdictions including rural, suburban, urban, regional, state, tribal or territorial as long as there is a defined public health authority for the jurisdiction.

Which community leaders are eligible?

Community leaders are eligible as a representative of a defined jurisdiction, as defined above, in partnership with the public health leaders within the same jurisdiction.

Which public health leaders are eligible?

Public health leaders are individuals directly employed by the jurisdictional governmental public health agency.

What supportive information is required?

Each Community Collective is required to identify the local organization that will manage the grant administration and financial requirements. The collective’s application should make clear that the identified organization has experience with such activities and has the capacity to manage and distribute the funds and create and submit the necessary grant required reports. The organization’s administrative contact and their contact information must be submitted. In addition, they will need to submit a formal letter of support from that organization’s chief officer. Applicants may choose to include up to 4 letters of support, if needed, to demonstrate how each member of the community collective meets the selection criteria.

Are there specific educational pre-requisites, such as college degrees, for the individual applicants?

No.

What are the restrictions for the $100,000 to support community capacity building activities?

The funds should be used for any efforts that directly support community health improvements. The culminating activities could include establishing a new collaborative or enhancing an existing one.

Will the Community Collective be required to use funds from the $100,000 for traveling to the in-person convenings?

No, the NPO at USF will be supporting all travel arrangements and costs.

Do we need to submit a budget?

No, Community Collaboratives will be determining how to use the funds as part of their participation in the initiative.

What will the reporting requirements be?

None, other than full participation in the initiative and associated activities.

What if one of our four leaders has a scheduling conflict?

Our recommendation is to identify leaders who can fully commit to participating in components of all four modules and the capstone. We do understand things come up that you cannot plan for and will do our best to respond with reasonable accommodations

Can the $9,000 stipends be distributed to an organization to compensate for the staff time allocated towards the initiative?

No, the stipends are awarded if needed, and will be distributed from USF to the individual.

How do I submit a video or audio recording?

After recording your video or audio, you will need to upload it to an accessible site such as YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive. You will need to copy the direct link into the box. We must be able to access your video so please adjust your settings to allow reviewers to view it. If you decide to use password protection, just make sure to include the password, after the link. For example, www.youtube.com/PHEARLESS4; Password: RegenerativeLeaders

• Google Drive Help
• YouTube Help
• Vimeo Help

What are the limitations of the written, audio, or video submissions?

Recordings should be no longer than five minutes in duration, and written documents or graphics should be no more than five pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font.

Who is making the decision on the applicants?

Applications will be reviewed by at least two individuals on a review team selected by the NPO, funders and partners. The review team will work together to make the final selections of the 15 Community Collectives.

What are the options for applicants not selected?

We invite you to sign up for our distribution list and apply for the next cohort.

Whom do I contact for assistance?

Please send an email to coph-clphp@usf.edu