Making community health improvement easier: Tools for communities

Across the country, the approach to community health improvement varies. In Wisconsin, local health departments are required to conduct community health improvement plans and processes (CHIPPs). Those health departments collaborate with local agencies, including hospitals that have similar requirements through the IRS and Affordable Care Act. However, while the mandate for CHIPPs exists, and there is a history of CHIPP efforts in the state, the variance between communities' processes and results is great. To better understand what was happening with CHIPPs and what areas of CHIPP could be strengthened, key stakeholders collaborated to conduct an assessment of the system and address identified CHIPP gaps with resources. Using the results of the assessment, nine resources were developed, including a Recommended Core Data Set, Template Implementation Plan, a Pick-List of Sample Objectives, and Tips and Tools for Engaging Local Employers. The new resources were then piloted in ten communities across the state. This session will share those identified resources and some preliminary results from the pilot sites.