Headline
A set of resources and strategies to help health care stakeholders foster authentic, effective community engagement that drives local health-related policy and program change.
Background
Community engagement is a valuable approach to improve health outcomes for people with complex health and social needs, as it helps ensure that programs and services are responsive, inclusive, and informed by the lived experiences of those they are intended to support. This toolkit is designed to support the planning and implementation of effective community engagement activities and partnerships. It provides practical tools, resources, and activities to guide public health, health systems, and other stakeholders through various stages of the engagement process, with a focus on supporting the community members involved.
About this Tool
This toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to developing a community engagement strategy and facilitating effective, supportive engagement activities. It provides guidance on:
- Recruiting and retaining community members;
- Collaborating with communities to identify problems and solutions;
- Creating a community-driven action plan; and
- Evaluating the progress and impact of engagement efforts and processes.
Policy/Program Takeaways
Health systems and organizations seeking to build collaborative, supportive, and sustainable relationships with the communities they serve can invest in dedicated community engagement staff and training to implement the strategies and guidance outlined in this toolkit.
