For communities striving to improve the health and well-being of their residents, understanding and addressing social care needs is paramount. Fortunately, a wealth of resources and tools are available to guide this crucial process. These frameworks and guides offer invaluable support for conducting thorough assessments and implementing effective interventions.
Foundational Frameworks for Community Evaluation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a comprehensive Evaluation Framework through its Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation. This framework sets agency-wide standards and offers technical assistance to strengthen evaluation efforts across diverse community programs.
Practical Guidance for Community Building
The Community Toolbox offers free, practical information vital for building healthier communities. It outlines a dynamic, iterative six-phase process, complete with associated competencies, designed to facilitate meaningful community change and improvement.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Health Improvement
For those seeking proven programs and policies, the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide) is an indispensable resource. This guide assists in selecting evidence-based interventions to improve community health and prevent disease effectively.
National Objectives for Public Health
Healthy People 2030 sets forth ten-year, measurable public health objectives and provides tools to monitor progress. It highlights key public health priorities aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of individuals, organizations, and communities nationwide, frequently utilized in community health assessments and improvement planning.
A Model for Community Health Enhancement
The Institute of Medicine Community Health Improvement Process presents a framework for promoting community health. This model offers a comprehensive, community-based perspective on health, advocating for inclusive, participatory coalitions to drive improvement.
Local Resources for Health Departments
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) offers Community Health Assessment and Improvement Planning resources. These customizable tools are designed for local health departments, supporting them and their partners in conducting assessments and developing effective improvement plans.
Principles of Community Engagement
The Principles of Community Engagement, provided by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), offers public health professionals, healthcare providers, and community leaders a science-based and practical guide for effectively engaging community partners in projects that directly affect them.
These resources collectively represent a robust toolkit for anyone involved in social care needs assessment and community health improvement, providing frameworks, practical advice, and evidence-based strategies to foster healthier, more vibrant communities.
