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  • Assessment Process Guide
  • Core Process Steps
  • Establishing the Assessment Infrastructure (Step 1)
  • Obtain leadership support
  • Build the staff team
  • Identify and obtain resources
  • Determine level of community involvement
  • Form an assessment advisory committee
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  • Defining the Purpose and Scope (Step 2)
  • Identify the users and audience
  • Define the purpose
  • Specify the target population
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  • Collecting and Analyzing Data (Step 3)
  • Determine who will collect and analyze data
  • Collect secondary data
  • Collect primary data - introduction
  • Collect primary data - methods
  • Analyze data
  • Develop a data management process
  • Examine community assets
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  • Selecting Priorities (Step 4)
  • Review assessment data
  • Establish criteria for evaluating data
  • Set priorities with a consensus process
  • Validate prioritized needs
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  • Documenting and Communicating Results (Step 5)
  • Organize information for presentation
  • Prepare a written report
  • Publicize assessment findings
  • Promote community dialogue on findings
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  • Planning for Action and Monitoring Progress (Step 6)
  • Conduct research to inform goals and actions
  • Define goals, objectives, and strategies
  • Create and implement the action plan
  • Develop evaluation plan and monitor progress
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  • Print all Steps
  • Additional Links
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resource Links
  • Case Examples
  • Data Sources (updated 3/10)
  • Glossary
  • Home
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    Using the Toolkit

    The ACHI Community Health Assessment Toolkit is available to paid members of these groups:

    Members of these groups can log in with their Web site ID and password, in the upper right corner of this page.

    Not a member? Learn about ACHI's benefits and join here.

    ACHI members: Write to assesstoolkit@aha.org or call (312) 422-2193 for log-in assistance.

    AHA members: Write to express@aha.org or call (312) 422-3000.

    SHSMD members: Write to shsmd@aha.org or call (312) 422-3888.

    

    Welcome to ACHI's Community Health Assessment Toolkit

    The ACHI Community Health Assessment Toolkit is a guide for planning, leading and using community health assessments to better understand -- and ultimately improve -- the health of communities. It presents a model assessment process from beginning to end in six core steps, and provides practical guidance drawn from experienced professionals and a variety of proven tools.

    The ACHI Community Health Assessment Toolkit includes:

    • Detailed guidance on six core steps of a typical health assessment process, including but not limited to data collection
    • Step summaries containing task checklists, budget and timeline guides, and the skills needed for an effective assessment
    • Case examples with a quick reference table to help you find the most appropriate one to your situation
    • Resource links to additional guides, tools and templates at every step
    • Answers to frequently asked questions and access to a peer discussion forum

    We define community health assessment as both the activity and product of collecting data on and setting priorities for improving the health of a defined population.

    This simple definition belies a multifaceted endeavor that requires careful planning, funding, collaboration, data collection and analysis, priority-setting, communication and action planning. Community health assessments vary widely with the size and nature of each community, the number of partners involved, the goals of those participating in the process, the resources available and other local factors.

    Write to assesstoolkit@aha.org with general questions, suggestions or feedback about the Toolkit.

    Acknowledgements

    The Association for Community Health Improvement is grateful for the perspectives, tools, and experiences provided by the 2006-2007 Community Health Assessment Work Group, and for funding from the American Hospital Association.