MAPP Technical Assistance Webcast Series

Addressing Unique Challenges faced by Rural

Communities Using the MAPP Process

March 28, 2007

Panelist Introduction

Carlos A. Yunsan, East Tennessee Regional Health Office (TN)

Carol S. Ryan, Sullivan County Public Health Services (NY)

Laurie Williams, Clinton County Health Dept. (NY)

Barbara Grice, Public Health Region 5 (SC)

Q1: What prompted you to begin a MAPP process? What prepared you to do MAPP?

Q1a: Need to initiate a community assessment LHD Leadership Community Coalition building efforts

already begun

Q1b: Previous Evaluation/Assessment Efforts Leadership support

Lack of Resources Don’t necessarily need money, but lack of dedicated staff was

challenging This is work above and beyond primary public health workGeography Lots of ground to cover Meeting can be challenging

Smaller pool of community partners means that: Same people at every table Only so many meetings people will go to Keeping participants engagedMultiple existing groups Many single focused partnerships Intervention strategies that began outside of the community Health improvement initiatives that are basically controlled by larger

institutions

Q2: What were the greatest challenges in implementing MAPP for a rural community?

Support Network Communication is key Identify a dedicated staff person to participate from start to finish. Provide support to those ready to move forward, while

“marketing” to others Find a local champion Use Participants Time Well Only meet when there is something to get done Allowing communities to determine readiness Provide TrainingDon’t Reinvent the Wheel Build on past experiences and successes as a segue to MAPP fit with existing efforts Build on long-standing partnerships Collaboration with MPH students

Q3: What strategies did you use to overcome these challenges? 

Q4: How did the LPHSA uniquely benefit your MAPP process?

Expanded Knowledge of what public health is among system partners

Recognition of specific weaknesses and strengths within the local public health system

Re-energized the MAPP Committee to pursue the completion of the MAPP process

Brought new partners to the MAPP process

Other organizations felt the work was of such value that they put money behind it.

Setting new standards on how rural health should be done

Members of the LPHS have written MAPP into their five year strategic plans

Partners have used the MAPP document for grant applications

Many agencies have stated that they feel the “community” now owns these issues, not just their agency

The level of collaboration and cooperation

Q5: What have been the greatest benefits and/or outcomes of your process to date? 

Strengthening the local public health system network Creating understanding of need for long-term, strategic

approach to improve community health Facilitated communication and understanding between

local organizations, and sustainability of those efforts Brought additional members to local organizations LHD has become a more visible and respected partner for

community-wide events and initiatives Data sharing among partners Strengthen partnership with Univ of TN’s MPH program Reassessment of priorities to be proactive.

Q5 (CONT): What have been the greatest benefits/outcomes of your process to date? 

Q6: Are you considering using MAPP again? What would you do differently next time?

“It was time to either update the plan by going through the assessments again, or to stop the process. The partners were enthusiastic about doing it again. Now the LHD is in charge of the Rural Health Network, and it’s through this group that the MAPP process now has funding to sustain itself.” - Carol Ryan

“MAPP is our recommended tool for community health planning, and we will continue to provide support to

implementing communities within our region. In the future, I think there is a need to focus on the organizing for success and visioning components of the model.” - Carlos Yunsan

Q6: Are you considering using MAPP again? What would you do differently next time?

Q6: Are you considering using MAPP again? What would you do differently next time?

“We are using MAPP again to complete our 2008 NYS required community health assessment. We will use the original as our template and will update the document in addition to a higher

level of data analysis. We will again work as a tri-county group. I don’t think we will do very much different. What we

did worked for us.” - Laurie Williams

Q6: Are you considering using MAPP again? What would you do differently next time?

“Yes, we are repeating MAPP in selected counties to gain data to help us decide how to tailor services and address

key health concerns in our communities.” - Barbara Grice

Carlos A. Yunsan, East Tennessee Regional Health Office (TN)

Carol S. Ryan, Sullivan County Public Health Services (NY)

Laurie Williams, Clinton County Health Dept. (NY)

Barbara Grice, Public Health Region 5 (SC)

Participant Questions?