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

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.