Community Engagement

Community involvement is an important aspect in improving the health and well being of women and children. Participants will be exposed to ideologies that stem from evidence-based leadership-planning tools, such as Future Search, that facilitates collaboration and community engagement. Discussions and content will focus on building the capacity to unite people from all walks of life, give them a voice in shaping humane systems and policies, and lay the foundation for action to create healthy and safe communities and to address complex public health challenges. It is remarkably in synch with the Institute of Medicine's 1988 definition of public health and with the 10 Essential Public Health Function.

The session will review these four principles: 1) "Getting the whole system" in the room; 2) Global exploration before local action; 3) Focus on future and common ground; and 4) Self-management and shared responsibility. It results in commitment and action to reduce inequalities that occur as a result of class, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and geographic status.

Social capital will also be discussed and incorporated into interactive exercises to encourage building community strength and well being by allowing persons and communities to mobilize greater resources and achieve the common good. Qualities such as social connectedness, social trust and community identity will be recognized.

Participants will be led through a mapping scenario to illustrate the various aspects of a community. This skill building process will help to clarify the parts of a community, how they are linked and focus on ways to bridge the gaps when they exist.

The use of supportive and inclusive methods is the key to collaboration and ensuring that those affected are involved in the change process. We will promote inclusion and provide ways to foster these inclusive relationships such as through community events and programs. In order to be successful in the community engagement process these MCH leaders must understand the complexity of the issues and employ characteristics such as optimism, passion, and competency.

This portion of the course will ultimately help participants combine their leadership and community engagement skills by developing ways these components can be applied to every day “MCH practice”. They will be presented with the scientific literature to further understand the magnitude of issues surrounding women and children's health but action plans will be enlisted. Not only will this course provide a more clear view of the problem but it will equip the participants will the skills and confidence to enforce change.