BLOOMINGTON – After 30 months of diligent work, the Community Voices for Health in Monroe County (CVHMC) team has wrapped up the project. The initiative was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and was carried out by the Community Justice and Mediation Center, the Bloomington Health Foundation, and a number of local partners and consultants.
In the coming weeks, officials will be distributing the report and making presentations to community organizations and service providers. It will also be available to download for anyone who is interested.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has provided funds for an additional year to support follow-up work.
Community Voices for Health Toolkit
The team at CVHMC announced the publication of the final Community Voices for Health Toolkit.
This collaborative document summarizes the different phases of the initiative while also providing strategies and tools for individuals, groups, and/or communities who might be interested in creating similar initiatives.
Officials intended the toolkit to assist those who are interested in transforming the nature of community participation in decision-making. The principles and methodology outlined in the toolkit can be used for any kind of community effort.
The toolkit’s eleven sections are accompanied by corresponding appendices, which provide additional resources, templates, and reference materials. Officials hope that sharing their experiences with the project, will inspire and better serve others who share the same vision.
Here are some of the elements that can be found in the toolkit:
- Clear summaries of each stage of the CVHMC initiativeQuotes from community members and decision-makers who participated
- Graphic representations of the theory of change that guided the CVHMC initiative“Questions to spark further thought” at the end of each section
- Links and in-text references to supplemental appendices materialsReflections on challenges and lessons learned
This toolkit is free and available for anyone who wants it You can download it here. Please click here to request a printed copy.
Announcing the Monroe County Health Equity Council
The Community Voices for Health in Monroe County initiative included an Advisory Council that helped guide the project. Composed of members from all aspects of the community, the advisory council had two primary roles in the project.
First, the council collaborated with the team, providing guidance, oversight, and active involvement in project design and implementation.
Second, the council provided connections to underrepresented groups in our community through already-established trusting relationships.
As the project drew to a close at the end of 2022, the Council carefully planned a transition to continue the health equity work. The group will move forward as the Monroe County Health Equity Council, a name voted on by its members.
The MCHEC’s purpose is as follows:
The MCHEC will serve as a bridge between marginalized communities, elected officials, and other decision-makers. This may include convening diverse stakeholder groups and facilitating deliberative conversations. We will quickly mobilize diverse networks to provide input in decisions or legislation that impacts health.
Meetings are currently held via Zoom on Monday evenings. Click here to see a flyer with more information about being involved and contact information for questions. Consider attending a meeting just to see what it’s about/
