Decatur County –The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced a collaboration with the IU Center for Rural Engagement and the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington to leverage community networks in Decatur County to effectively manage health crises, like COVID-19.
Based on local health assessment data, community health improvement plans (CHIP) help communities set SMART goals to meet a range of health objectives, from addressing gaps in services to preventing and treating chronic conditions. These plans, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, maximize existing resources and networks and also include interventions that also address root causes beyond the immediate needs.
“Every rural community is different, and each brings its own strengths and challenges,” said Dr. Priscilla Barnes, associate professor in the IU School of Public Health and lead researcher on the project. “Rural health partnerships and coalitions have been quick to adapt to the daily changing landscape of public health. Response to unexpected crises is the invisible thread that connects with the existing health priorities, and these plans and their implementation will address both emergent needs and long-term priorities.”
In Decatur County, this initiative will establish a new CHIP that addresses COVID-19 needs and plans for long-term health initiatives. The local networks that inform the CHIP development and implementation are composed of diverse organizations, including representations from health, education, business, and the nonprofit sectors.
A similar CHIP is being set up in Daviess County.
