DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative called Community Voices for Health in Monroe County was a 30-month project seeking to bring about more equitable public engagement in decision-making affecting health. The project wrapped up in late 2022. One of our goals was that the work would be replicable in other communities. To help make that possible, we developed a toolkit for use by other groups and communities. Our team is proud to announce the publication of the Community Voices for Health Toolkit! This collaborative document summarizes the phases of the initiative and provides strategies and tools to assist those who are interested in transforming the nature of community participation in decision-making. The principles and methodology outlined in the toolkit are not constrained to health and can be adapted to any community concern. The toolkit’s eleven sections are accompanied by corresponding appendices, which provide additional resources, templates, and reference materials. We hope that by sharing our experiences with our project, we will be able to inspire and be of service to others who share the same vision. This toolkit is free and available for anyone who wants it! You can download it below. Please contact us if you would like a printed copy.
Announcing the Monroe County Health Equity Council!
The Community Voices for Health in Monroe County initiative included an Advisory Council that helped guide the project. Composed of members from all aspects of the community, the advisory council had two primary roles in the project. First, the council collaborated with the team, providing guidance, oversight and active involvement in project design and implementation. Second, the council provided connections to underrepresented groups in our community through already established trusting relationships. As the project drew to a close at the end of 2022, the Council carefully planned a transition to continue the health equity work. The group will move forward as the Monroe County Health Equity Council, a name voted on by its members. The MCHEC’s purpose is as follows:
"The MCHEC will serve as a bridge between marginalized communities, elected officials, and other decision makers. This may include convening diverse stakeholder groups and facilitating deliberative conversations. We will quickly mobilize diverse networks to provide input in decisions or legislation that impacts health."
The Council is open to all. If health equity is an interest of yours, please consider joining us. Meetings are currently held via Zoom on Monday evenings. Click below to see a flyer with more information about being involved, and contact information for questions. Consider attending a meeting just to see what it’s about!
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We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to get involved, please reach out.
OUR OFFICE
205 S Walnut St #16
Bloomington, IN 47404
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PROJECT PARTNERS
We are extremely thankful for everyone that continues to support this project. A special thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for their support for the Community Voices for Health Initiative. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
