Objectives. The authors used community-based focus groups in the Portland, Oregon Tri-county area to examine existing knowledge and attitudes towards Public Health. The information gathered from community focus groups was then used to produce a template that can be used to engage the public in discussions about the scope and value of public health services.
Methods. Turning Point: Collaborating for a New Century in Public Health is a national initiative sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and directed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Healthy Communities, an initiative of Oregon Health Systems in Collaboration, coordinated the Tri-county Turning Point Partnership in the Portland, Oregon area. One product of the Partnership is an interactive template to engage the public in Community Collaboration. The effectiveness of future Public Health systems depends on the ability of organizations to work together. The template developed by Healthy Communities can be used by a variety of groups, including local health departments, community groups, health care providers, hospitals, public and environmental health, governmental units, and others.
Results. Engaging community members, public officials, and CBOs (community-based organizations) in conversations has strengthened local partnerships. In forming partnerships the community’s health and their stake in community health issues has increased.
Conclusions. The template developed is reliable and adaptable. Communities can use this template as a model to meet the specific health ne
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this section will be able to: 1.Implement the template in their community in order to build partnerships with with community, local officials and CBOs. 2.Have a tool to engage the public in discussions about public health.
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Community Outreach
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.