Key concepts and applications introduced, discussed and mastered include needs assessment, community relationships (participatory continuum), funding opportunities, writing a plan including goals and desired outcomes, sustainability, implementation and evaluation tools and models, marketing strategies, and assessment of outcomes. Participants will develop and walk through each process in community through selection of an organization/organizations to work with, seeking appropriate input, and conducting a needs assessment. Participant program plan sections and completed plan will be critiqued by peers and graded by instructor.
A high percentage of implemented community health programs have less than sterling outcomes due to misalignment of some form: poor understanding of root challenges to be addresssed and public perception of how to remedy, accessibility, funding and sustainability, development of the assessment plan and data points in the beginning, in example. Whether ministry, volunteer, market /professional participation, knowing the planning, implementation and assessment process is key to appropriate resource utilization and service provision.
Population-based health programs are often more accessible, relevant and affordable, particularly for health maintenance and health promotion and low-tech care provision. These services can also be provided at no charge or minimal charge to patients and participants because the service providers donate or cost-share time, and are less intensive care providers.
Caring for widows, children and elderly is biblically-based. Health is described in several places in the Bible, including what to eat and drink (or not) and what is considered healthy. Many wellness programs do follow these guidelines, if loosely. Moderation is a key, and avoidance of certain types of food and drink are also proscribed. In Bible times, people traveled by most part by foot, so exercise was pretty much a given.
Equipping in a way that is teachable, replicable and adaptable to achieve consistently positive outcomes, regardless of culture, program sponsorship, or population niche(s) served.
The culture, program sponsorship, community resources, funding sources and servee needs will vary by community. The process through which to plan, develop and execute remains constant.
Sensitivities to cultural receptivity and adaptations for acceptability for multiple and various cultures will be explored.
Any program planned and developed serves well to be practical in administration, data collection, collaboration and in meeting the needs of community health. Often simple interventions, even multiple simple interventions/services have a greater impact on desired outcomes than one complex program/set of services.
Engaging with the community during the planning process (4000 level course) and engaging with program recipients and workers in the implementation and assessment phase (5000 level course) transforms the learning process from knowledge to skill at a level that is sensitive to providers and recipients of the program services.
