Capacity Building

The Larson Institute helps organizations and communities strengthen their public health systems, design effective programs, and reach the people they serve. Our Capacity Building & Implementation Pillar supports partners through strategic guidance, community-centered communication, and hands-on support and implementation to turn ideas into impact.

Health Communication & Promotion

We create clear, culturally responsive health messages and outreach strategies that resonate with diverse communities.

What we offer:

  • Health communication planning
  • Social and digital marketing campaigns
  • Audience research and message testing
  • Community-led outreach (including CHWs)
  • Culturally tailored content and materials

Expertise includes: Public health messaging, social marketing, experimental design, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ health, global health, and refugee populations.

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

We help organizations build the skills, structures, and partnerships needed to deliver strong public health programs.

What we offer:

  • Coalition building and partner coordination
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Needs assessments & environmental scans
  • Workforce development & pipelining
  • Program and operations support
  • Staff augmentation for short- or long-term needs

Expertise includes: Rural health, environmental justice, health policy, workforce pipelines, leadership development, and faith-based initiatives.

Program Design & Implementation

We support the full lifecycle of public health programs—from concept to rollout.

What we offer:

  • Program planning and design
  • Logic models and implementation frameworks
  • Pilot testing and refinement
  • Implementation support and coordination
  • Community-informed program development
  • Tools, resources, and training for rollout
  • Early-stage monitoring and improvement

Program areas: Substance use, youth mental health, environmental justice, health equity, workforce development, rural and underserved communities.

Policy Research & Development

We help partners understand, evaluate, and shape policies that influence community health and equity.

What we offer:

  • Health policy research and analysis
  • Legislative and comparative reviews
  • Equity-focused policy assessments
  • Community-driven policy support
  • Policy briefs and recommendations

Expertise includes: Social determinants of health, youth and family health, Black/African American and Latinx communities, LGBTQ+ health.

Team

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Healthcare professionals engaged in a meeting