Objectives: To describe innovative CBPR methods to engage and incorporate responses from language and vulnerable groups participating in a county CHA/CHIP process.

Methods: The New Jersey, Morris Regional Public Health Partnership with The College of New Jersey developed innovative outreach for engaging language/vulnerable groups for surveys, focus groups and key informant interviews.

Results: Partnership County and municipal Departments of Health and Community Based Organizations identified staff to review/approve surveys, promotions, translations and identify communication channels/community influencers (Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Hindi). Religious and cultural centers played key roles for outreach. Food services facilitated reaching home-bound and homeless. CHA/CHIP information dissemination among previously underrepresented groups increased disease prevention and chronic disease management resource awareness and built new relationships and opportunities for diversifying the Partnership.

Conclusions: Better inclusion of diverse populations is critical for building trust, expanding access and successful planning for emergency management and pandemic preparedness. Improving knowledge of community resources and basic science behind public health interventions is needed for new immigrant groups.

Public Health Implications: The effectiveness of public health interventions depends on uptake among diverse populations especially during times of natural disasters and pandemics. Using CBPR models to enhance CHA/CHIP outreach strategically builds relationships and trust in the science and practice of public health.