205036 Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP): A quality of life and health needs assessment of New River Valley, Virginia

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Audrey June Burnett, PhD , Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
The present study involved the implementation of a comprehensive, strategic planning tool, Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP), to qualitatively uncover the perceptions of the quality of life and health needs (i.e., access to and availability of services) of 28 low-income residents in New River Valley (NRV), Virginia. The current study represents the initial qualitative study utilizing MAPP in the state of Virginia. Greater than three-quarters of interviewees perceived an overall good quality of life (e.g., ample green space, safe neighborhoods), with an urgent need for healthcare reform, affordable insurance, and transportation, particularly for after-hours medical care. The current presentation also will review the specific findings from the one-on-one interviews, and will provide a step-by-step look at the MAPP process for new and potential users as applied to a real-world community, specifically, the NRV. Furthermore, the current study's findings will help new and potential MAPP users understand the benefits and challenges of using the MAPP process for their own community health needs assessments.

Learning Objectives:
1) Explain the implementation process of a comprehensive, strategic planning tool, Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP), to qualitatively uncover community residents’ perceptions of the quality of life and pertinent health needs. 2) Identify five specific and recurrent health needs within the New River Valley, Virginia community based on the MAPP findings. 3) List several potential solutions/policies to address the five aforementioned recurrent health needs derived from the MAPP findings. 4) Discuss New River Valley residents’ perceptions of their quality of life in the community derived from field interviews. 5) Describe how the current study’s findings will help new and potential MAPP users understand the benefits and challenges of using the MAPP process for their own community health needs assessment.

Keywords: Community-Based Public Health, Community Health Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: EDUCATION Ph.D., Education, Curriculum, and Instruction Cognate: Community Health--Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise Concentration: Information Technology and Instructional Design Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, May 2008 Advisor: Kerry J. Redican, PhD Dissertation: Quality of life and the health care system in New River Valley, Virginia: Residents’ perceptions and experiences M.S., Human Development, Adult Development and Aging Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, August 2005 Advisor: Michelle L. Stevenson, PhD Thesis: Evaluating the effectiveness of national policies supporting family caregivers of old adults. B.S., Psychology and Urban Studies, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA, May 2002 Concentrations: Developmental Processes and Gerontology (Certificate Program) Advisor: Pearl M. Mosher-Ashley, PhD Honors Thesis: Factors that influence older adults’ participation in a community wellness program. Magna Cum Laude; Honors in Psychology --- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Instructor, May 2008 – Present Office of Educational Research and Outreach and the School of Education Health Promotion Virtual Faculty VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA EDHL 5704 – Health of the Elderly, graduate-level online course EDHL 5734 – Health Behavior & Health Education, graduate-level online course EDCI 5784 – Epidemiology of Substance Abuse, graduate-level online course EDCI 5784 – Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs, graduate-level online course Blackboard administration; grading term papers, exams, and assignments utilizing structured online grading rubrics; designing PowerPoint slides for assigned chapter readings; posting materials and class notes online; replying to student e-mails; holding office hours via phone, IM, and email for students. Senior Project Coordinator, March 2007 – Present New River Health District (Christiansburg, VA), Virginia Department of Health, and the National Association for County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), Washington, DC Serving as a regional resource to facilitate the organization, planning, development, and implementation of a community health needs assessment initiative (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships [MAPP]), including the evaluation of community systems as they relate to public (community) health services and priority populations; providing leadership, consultation, technical assistance, and advocacy to all participants, including local coalitions/task forces in the MAPP process; utilizing MAPP to assure coordination of community health assessment processes among local health and human service agencies (including the health department), healthcare providers, local governments, business community, other local/regional programs/organizations, and community residents; planning, implementing, and maintaining data collection and analysis systems via the Centers for Disease Control SPSS, and NVivo; assisting the community in identifying and/or developing policies, advocacy efforts, and programs to improve community capacity to respond to strategic health issues; providing technical assistance in writing appropriate, clear, and concise goals and objectives to address strategic issues; and, identifying and addressing workforce development issues relevant to strategic plans. Clinical Instructor, August 2007 – May 2008 Department of Learning Sciences & Technologies—Health Promotion, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA EDHL 1514 – Personal Health, undergraduate-level in-class course Lecturing to a class of 520 undergraduate students utilizing PowerPoint, audio/visual media, and discussion formats; preparing and proctoring Scantron exams; replying to student emails and phone calls/voicemails; holding office hours for students; managing/mentoring graduate teaching assistant. EDHL 5704 – Health of the Elderly, graduate-level online course EDHL 5734 – Health Behavior & Health Education, graduate-level online course EDCI 5784 – Advanced Concepts in Health Promotion, graduate-level online course Course development (EDCI 5784); Blackboard administration; grading term papers, exams, and assignments utilizing a structured online grading rubric; designing PowerPoint slides for assigned chapter readings; posting materials and class notes online; replying to student e-mails; holding office hours in-person and via email/IM for students. Instructor, August 2005 – August 2007 Department of Learning Sciences & Technologies—Health Promotion, VA Tech EDHL 5304 – Principles of Community Health Education EDHL 3534 – Drug Education, undergraduate-level online course EDHL 5314 – Public Health Administration, graduate-level online course EDHL 5604 – Program Development in Health Education, graduate-level online course EDHL 5704 – Health of the Elderly, graduate-level online course EDHL 5734 – Health Behavior & Health Education, graduate-level online course EDHL 5784 – Environmental Health, graduate-level online course Blackboard administration; grading term papers, exams, and assignments utilizing a structured online grading rubric; designing PowerPoint slides for assigned chapter readings; posting materials and class notes online; replying to student e-mails; holding office hours for students; managing/mentoring graduate teaching assistant.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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