Community Health Planning
There are many health planning models to choose from. The path typically starts with an assessment of community need, which leads to an action plan, which is implemented, then evaluated.
Resources
The Strategic Prevention Framework is being used by community substance abuse prevention coalitions throughout western Massachusetts. The steps in the SPF are assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Cultural competency and sustainability are at the center.
Communities That Care is an example of a planning system that follows the Strategic Prevention Framework. Communities will want to make sure they are willing to commit the time needed to make it work, but CTC has proven its effectiveness in communities across the United States.
Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol has a focus on underage drinking prevention and is being used widely in Massachusetts.
Communities of Excellence has a focus on tobacco control planning and has been used throughout Massachusetts.
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships, or MAPP is a tool often used by public health deparments.
Community Health Assessment and Group Evaluation (CHANGE) tool is an action guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that helps a community gain a picture of the policy, systems, and environmental change strategies currently in place throughout the community; develop a community action plan for improving policies, systems, and the environment to support healthy lifestyles; and assist with prioritizing community needs and allocating available resources.
Planning for Healthy Places
Some innovative public health departments have begun collaborating with redevelopment agencies to incorporate health-promoting strategies into the process of rebuilding low-income or “blighted” neighborhoods. This guide explores the potential for collaboration between these agencies and shows how both can overcome their own institutional challenges to create a strong partnership to improve community health.