The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45192

Kathleen M. Rahl, MS, RN, Eau Claire City-County Health Department, 720 Second Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703, 7158394718, Kitty.Rahl@co.eau-claire.wi.us

Upon completing community assessment and planning, public health professionals face the challenge of capturing the commitment of individuals and groups in the community to conduct implementation. In Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, public health nursing led a community action partnership, employing implementation strategies that worked and empowering the team to bring visions to life. Public health nurses may apply these strategies with other interdisciplinary teams to create conditions for action.

In 1998, a nine-member Infant and Child Health Action Team set out to address the goal and objectives established by a community assessment planning group. By 2001, the team had grown to 70 members and had many accomplishments. The team established a Family Resource Center, created a Brain Development Project with grants from five local organizations, launched a child breakfast promotion project, and implemented an initiative to address community child care needs.

Structure + Supportive Environment ® Empowerment to Action

Public health nursing encouraged the use of collaboration principles to empower the team to action. Strategies that provided structure and created a supportive environment included: ·Establish a steering group with subcommittees ·Select co-chairs for each group ·Provide new member orientation ·Create a pleasant atmosphere with food and beverage ·Use consistent decision-making processes established by the group ·Maintain the spirit of respect ·Develop action plans · Summarize accomplishments in writing annually ·Celebrate success

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• List three strategies that worked to provide structure for implementation,empowering a community action partnership to success in addressing the plan identified through community needs assessment.
• List three strategies that worked to provide a supportive environment for implementation, empowering a community action partnership to success in addressing the plan identified through community needs assessment.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Public Health Nursing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.