Polk County Behavioral Health Study | Page 116

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 :