Introduction
Project Goal
The ultimate goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of Polk County residents by addressing the behavioral health needs in the community . To accomplish this goal , several components need to be simultaneously achieved .
• Develop a comprehensive behavioral health strategic plan , and behavioral health system access and process mapping .
• Identify systems and resources that are valued and working well ; help determine how they may work together more efficiently .
• Identify and prioritize system gaps and community needs .
• Engage a broad set of stakeholders ; build consensus around results and actions .
• Use resources more efficiently – focus on a finite set of objectives , establish a timeline for results , and “ work with the willing ” to achieve results .
Engagement of Diverse Community Sectors
A core focus of the project – especially Stage 2 – was to engage a highly inclusive and diverse set of community stakeholders in order to guide project activities and to inform project results . The Leadership Group was ( and remains ) highly involved on a weekly basis to provide guidance , project insight , linkage to existing materials , problem-solving ideas , and other support . The community groups engaged in the Stage 2 activities were highly diverse and spanned the County in terms of location , demographics , health and lifestyle issues , social determinants , and many other categories . Generally , Stage 2 activities connected with higher-risk community groups , service providers , and an expanse of other Polk County residents and community members .
Polk Vision leadership and the highly diverse set of community stakeholders were engaged throughout each project stage . Stage 2 involvement provided a solid basis to achieve Stage 2 goals and – based on the Stage 1 research foundation – prepare for Stage 3 activities to identify pathways designed to positively impact community behavioral health . For an overview of each of the three stages , refer to the section “ Review of the Three Project Stages ” below .
Project leaders and categories of “ Stage 2 Research ” community group members include the following :