Through the process of Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs), the Northeast Tri County Health District (District) and local partners identify priority issues facing Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties. Upon completion of CHNAs for each county, the District and county workgroups begin the Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). CHIPs build directly on the work of the CHNAs by creating an action plan for one priority issue.
The CHIP process includes:
- Identifying the priority issue and defining a goal.
- Selecting data-driven health indicators to measure progress on achieving goal.
- Defining strategies to achieve the goal.
- Brainstorming and selecting actionable programs to address the goal.
- Organizing and synthesizing all information collected into individual county reports.
The CHIP focuses the needs identified in the CHNA into evidence-based goals and objectives aimed to resolve disparities, improve health, and reduce barriers. The CHNA and the CHIP belong to all community members, including partners. They can help agencies focus their activities, obtain resources, and identify partnerships.
