In the state of Minnesota, Community Health Boards (CHB) are required to complete a community health assessment (CHA) and community health improvement (CHIP) plan every five years according to MN Statute 145A.
In Meeker, McLeod and Sibley Counties this was a collaborative process with numerous community partners.
Community health boards report the top 10 priority health issues to the Minnesota Department of Health once the Community Health Assessment is completed.
New Community Health Assessment Process has started
Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Health Services (MMS CHS) will be starting the process of doing a new Community Health Assessment (CHA). A community health behavior survey went into the field Fall of 2022. MMS CHS staff also worked to deploy a community health behavior survey that was sent to Hispanic individuals in the community.
Staff members from MMS CHS have started to meet to discuss the CHA process for the community. The purpose of assessment in public health is to
- Determine local public health priorities.
- Focus local resources on the greatest community needs.
During the assessment process, MMS CHS will work to collaborate with the community to:
- describe the health of the community served,
- identify health disparities for subpopulations,
- uncover the factors that contribute to health challenges and health inequity,
- identify existing community assets and resources they can mobilize to improve the community’s health. Helps ensure that local resources are directed toward where they can make the greatest and most timely impact
Resources
Current Health Concerns
Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Health Services worked with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Center of Public Health Practice to determine the right model to use when starting the process of a Community Health Assessment. The CHS chose to use the Results and Performance Accountability System. Because MMS CHS participates in a joint community health assessment (CHA) process with the MMS Healthy Communities Collaborative, moving from a Collective Action model in 2016 to a Results-based Accountability (RBA) model in 2019/2020 was a way to ensure accountability because the whole community, public and private sectors, must share responsibility for results.
After completing the community health assessment a community health improvement planning team (including both local public health staff and community partners) determines priority health issues.
After further discussions and reviewing the data sources, Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Health Services determined the top three health priorities that will be the focus of the Community Health Improvement Plan during 2019 through 2022.
The top three concerns are:
History
Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Health Services (MMS CHS) works closely with health care partners during assessment periods, to share data sources, attend stakeholder sessions and work together to help each other complete the required work. MMS CHS’s next assessment will take place in 2022-2023.
MMS CHS has a long and effective history of working together on various public health programs, applying for grants and streamlining public health services. The community health assessment reflects the health status Meeker, McLeod and Sibley county residents.
Past Community Health Assessment Work
In 2013 MMS CHS initiated a joint community health assessment (CHA) process through the MMS Healthy Communities Collaborative. The major partners in planning the workshops included all the hospitals in each of the three counties.
A modified framework called Mobilizing Action through Partnerships for Planning (MAPP) was followed to execute the process. From this event three health priorities were identified: mental health, prevention and wellness and obesity prevention.
Three subcommittees were formed under the direction of the MMS HC collaborative, Community Leadership (CLT) to identify SMART objectives, and action steps through the performance management framework. The work of these subcommittees is the basis of the current community health improvement plans (CHIP).
