Rationale

Involving the community in the planning of health unit programs, services and strategies is consistent with our mission statement: we believe people have the right to make decisions about their own health, the right to a health supporting environment and a shared responsibility for a healthy community. The strategic planning work ensured a focus on optimizing public participation to better meet individual and community needs and to help communities organize so that individuals and groups are able to be responsible for their own health.

The principles of involving the community in planning (ICP) must be applied to both the external and internal communities.

Involvement in any or all steps of the planning process helps people build a sense of control over their health and gain self esteem which ultimately has a positive impact on their health.

Involving communities in planning helps to develop more effective, credible programs and services ie, programs that meet the needs of the community and the mandate of the agency. Community involvement can prevent duplication of services and make the most effective use of health dollars.

The contributions our communities are able to make to the planning process can help us have positive and more widespread impact on health issues ie, collective actions can make a difference.

Professional development is a critical part of enhancing our knowledge and skills to involve the community in planning; including the sharing of experiences, strategies and resources among staff and service groups.

We can enhance our development in involving the community in planning if we use agency systems and structures to review our plans and actions to involve communities.

Policy

Health Unit employees, when planning programs, services and strategies in the community or within the agency, will consider involving members of the community in the planning process. The degree of involvement that is appropriate and the strategies used will vary according to the role of the agency in the planning process, the issue being addressed, the community affected, the health promotion strategies being used, the phase of planning we are in and the planning time frames.

The agency will support staff development (eg. inservice, team planning, etc.) in the theory, application and evaluation of involving the community in planning.

Involving the community in planning is a responsibility of all health unit staff and the review of this aspect of our work will be included in the activities of OAC (Operational Advisory Committee), PAC (Program Advisory Committee) and operations and program planning teams and committees within our agency.

References

Involving the Community in Planning Resource Binder - Tracks the ICP process used by the Involving the Community in Planning Committee, including the ideas and examples shared by staff throughout the process. Copies of the binder are available through your office or service area.