Public Health pronto: Module 5.1

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

Module 5.1: 5-Minute Introduction

In this module we provide background on the competency as well as context and information about our learning activities via a video podcast (see below). We also provide a context for you to Learn more about the competency and to start a conversation, so please Comment on what you have learned and Interact with others who have commented.

LEARN

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills focus on evaluating and developing linkages and relationships within the community; maintaining and advancing partnerships and community involvement; negotiating for use of community assets; defending public health policies and programs; and evaluating effectiveness and improving community engagement.

This domain recognizes that, to be successful, public health professionals need to keep the community they serve at the heart of their work.

They should have a thorough understanding of the programs and services that already exist in the community and the relationships that are affecting the health of the families that live there. Public health professionals should seek out, establish, and nurture relationships that can improve health within a community.

Collaboration with community partners is essential, as is tapping into all of the assets and resources that are available.

Just as critical is giving community members ways to provide input on developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services. Community-based participatory research, which centers on community collaboration, is an effective approach for accomplishing this.

The competencies in the three tiers (front line/entry-level; program management/supervisory; and senior management/executive-level) knit together to support the work we’ve just outlined. For example, Tier 1 staffers collaborate with community partners to improve health in a community. So they would be the ones participating in committees, sharing data and information with partner organizations, and connecting people to resources. Meanwhile, Tier 2 staffers would be facilitating these types of collaborations among partner organizations, through activities like coalition building. And Tier 3 staffers would be creating the formal, written agreements -- the MOUs, contracts and letters of endorsement -- that define the purpose and scope of each partnership.

So what subject areas should a person interested in evaluating and improving their skills within this domain study?

To start with, we suggest Community Linkages with Key Stakeholders and Community Based Participatory Research. You also will want to make sure you understand Community Engagement Strategies and Community Input for Policies, Programs and Resources.

In addition, you can explore the resourses below to learn more about this competency.

• Community linkages
• Community-based participatory research
• Linkages with stakeholders
• Community partner collaboration
• Partnerships with key stakeholders
• Group processes to advance involvement
• Government and non-government organizations
• Community assets and resources
• Community input for public health policies and programs
• Public health policies, programs and resources
• Community engagement strategies

COMMENT

Comment on the Presentation...

You can share your perspective on this competency with others in the field by entering your comments here. Tell us how you have personally applied this competency in your daily work, ask questions about the competency, or suggest additional trainings that can be used by others to support learning in this competency.

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INTERACT

See What Others are Saying...

• As we receive comments, we add them to this page to begin a conversation. Check back often to see how the dialog progresses.

Tell us how you have used/integrated this competency into your daily work.

I am always happy to hear people talking about how to make a difference at a community level. This is something that we tend to forget in looking at the "big picture," especially when focused on policy issues at state or national levels. Important work happens locally, and knowing how to engage communities is key to affecting change. It's difficult work, but it's the work that many of us spend all of our professional lives make happen. Thanks for highlighting this!