Online Program

333019
Process and Results from Conducting the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment for Alameda County Public Health's (ACPHD) Accreditation Journey


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Mia Luluquisen, DrPH, MPH, RN, Office of the Director, Alameda County Public Health Department, Oakland, CA
Barbara Green-Ajufo, DrPH, MPH, Office of the Director, Alameda County Public Health Department, Oakland, CA
Liz Maker, DrPH, Community Assessment Planning, Education/Evaluation Unit, Alameda County Public Health Department, Oakland, CA
This paper describes Alameda County Public Health's planning, implementation and data  analysis to  complete the Community Themes and Strengths (CTS) Assessment of the Accreditation plan.  Alameda County has 1.5 million residents, 25% Asian Pacific Islanders, 25% Latino, 12% African American, 30% White and 8% other race/ethnicities.

The CTS incorporated frameworks from Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP), the health equity and life course perspectives. The process began with in-depth review of existing data and epidemiology reports and community health assessments, which were discussed in a day-long retreat with public health systems partners. Findings from the data review informed creation of a rubric to choose groups and geographic locations most impacted by health disparities.  The identified groups varied by supervisorial district, race/ethnicity, age, physical ability, language, gender and sexual orientation. Working closely with diverse community partners, representatives were invited to participate in a community dialogue to identify their group’s priority issues.  

Staff analyzed transcripts from 25 community dialogues using NVivo software to identify common themes and strengths.  Two community forums were subsequently held to review the results.  ACPHD partners chose three priority areas:  accessible health services, economic development and public safety. Three Action Teams are developing and writing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) addressing each of priorities.

This session will review the process and challenges of distilling the unique perspectives and expertise of residents and professionals from across the county into just three priority areas, and implications for community health and well-being.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe at least 3 components of a Community Themes and Strengths Assessment. Assess how the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) framework is relevant to respective public health department's accreditation activities.

Keyword(s): Accreditation, Community Health Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For Alameda County Public Health Department, I have been the lead staff in the Community Assessment process for accreditation. Along with my DrPH in Community Health Education, I have extensive experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex assessments, incorporating the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP).
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.