Jefferson County Seeks Public Input for Health Improvement Plan

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), in partnership with the Jefferson County Board of Health, Jefferson County Health Council and numerous community partners, wants your input as we choose priorities for our community health improvement plan. The community health improvement plan – or CHIP – will outline how all the organizations that influence health in Jefferson County will work together over the next 5 years to fight our county’s toughest health battles. The process relies on current health data as well as community input to target our health priorities and identify strategies that have been proven to make a difference.

 Community Engagement Meetings Scheduled

Jefferson County Public Health is holding meetings across the county to try to include as many voices as possible. Dates and locations are listed below or download the community engagement flyer.  Please join us at one of these events. By better understanding the needs of the community and focusing efforts, we can effectively improve the health of Jefferson County residents. A light healthy dinner will be provided at each event and child care is available at the Edgewater and Conifer events.

• Edgewater:   Thursday, July 11th, 6:00-7:30pm
  JVA Consulting
  2465 Sheridan Boulevard
  Edgewater, CO 80214.
  This meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish. Child care will be provided.
  
  
• Littleton:  Monday, July 15th, 6:00-7:30pm
  Columbine Library
  7706 West Bowles Avenue
  Littleton, CO 80123
  
  
• Conifer:  Monday, July 22nd, 6:00-7:30pm
  Mountain Resource Center
  11030 Kitty Drive
  Conifer, CO 80433
  Child care will be provided.
   
• Arvada:  Tuesday, July 30th, 6:00-7:30pm
  Arvada Library
  7525 West 57th Avenue
  Arvada, CO 80002 
• Lakewood: Wednesday, August 7th, 4:30-6:00pm
  Clements Community Center
  1580 Yarrow Street
  Lakewood, CO 80214
  
   Please sign up for child care by contacting Erika Jermé at ejerme@jeffco.us.

Find more information on creating healthier communities on the Healthy People Healthy Places Jeffco website,   a collaboration of community organizations, government agencies and individuals committed to developing and implementing a Community Health Improvement Plan for Jefferson County, Colorado or contact Erika Jermé, MScPl, JCPH Community Health Improvement Planner, at 303-271-5737 or ejerme@jeffco.us.

·         The 2013 Community Health Assessment is the most thorough compilation of health-related data published to date about Jefferson County, Colorado. For questions regarding the data included in this report, please contact the JCPH epidemiologist, 303-271-5742. 

Healthy People, Healthy Places . . . Jefferson County Public Health Wants You to be Involved in Creating a Healthier JeffCo

Over the next several months and throughout 2013, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will invite you to participate in the development of a comprehensive community health improvement plan (CHIP). All local Colorado public health departments will develop a community health improvement plan every five years that includes a multi-phased approach made up of a community health assessment, the development of a community health profile, a community engagement prioritization process and finally, the development, implementation, and evaluation of a CHIP.  Current JCPH accomplishments related to this project include collecting existing health data and information on risk factors, quality of life, mortality, morbidity, community assets, social determinants of health and health inequity. We are also gathering information on how well the public health system provides essential services. Additionally, some community outreach has occurred through a mix of methodologies, internal work teams have been formed, a communication plan is being developed, and Dr. Mark Johnson, Executive Director has invited key stakeholders to be a part of a health council. 

The next phase of the process involves members of the community.  JCPH wants as many constituents from multiple jurisdictions to be involved in this important process to ensure a collaborative and inclusive process to improve the health and the environmental conditions of our County.   JCPH believes that when community members engage with health data, notice trends and choose health indicators to track, they will better understand the health issues facing our County and will want to get involved in creating solutions. 

As a resident, employee or stakeholder, JCPH believes you are a key partner in the process. Over the next 14 months, www.healthypeoplehealthyplacesjeffco.com will be a place for you to connect with the CHIP process, JCPH and our many partners in the County.  The overarching goal is to have Jefferson County Colorado exemplify Healthy People and Healthy Places! Keep your eye out for continued communication on this initiative. If you have specific suggestions, or would like more information, please contact Elise Lubell, JCPH Director of Health Promotion and Lifestyle Management, at 303-271-5719 or elubell@jeffco.us.