Community Engagement for Health Improvement STEPS: Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions Focusing on the Social Determinants of Health since 2013

Presenters Theresa Lahr, Project Coordinator, STEPS Gabe Telarico, Community Business Mentor, STEPS

Introductions Tell your partner your name and where you live Tell your partner something about you Listen to what each person has to say What did you just learn that you can imagine helps build into a stronger community

Today’s Take AwayS Understanding of an innovative paradigm that engages residents in the co-production of health Understanding the extent of community change that can be achieved by engaging residents Understanding how institutional partnerships that incorporate residents as authentic actors can expand the institution’s ability to achieve their goals.

The STEPS opportunity Funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation’s Neighborhood Health Status Improvement Initiative. Sponsored by S2AY Rural Health Network. Support engaging residents to take action on health improvement. Provide small staff of organizers, basic operations, and mini-grants for resident groups. Require ABCD approach and SDH focus. Participate in Community Based Participatory Evaluation.

THE STEPS NEIGHBORHOOD STEPS works with 10,000+ residents in the towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid & Romulus

Building on our strengths Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach ABCD Principles: Asset Based (built on positives, strengths and opportunities) Relationship Driven (centered on people in the neighborhood working together) Place Based (locally focused) ABCD Practices: Asset Mapping (finding all the good things) Asset Mobilizing (connecting the good things for positive purposes) STEPS: Conducted an asset-based assessment of the neighborhood’s strengths. Worked with residents to develop a health improvement plan that incorporates those strengths. Supports residents to implement their health improvement plan.

A continuous process Assess Plan Do Assessment & Engagement Planning and Building Partnerships Implementation of Long-Term Plan

The health improvement plan The STEPS community developed a plan with three main focus areas: Improving the physical environment Improving personal health and wellness Increasing economic and educational opportunities Each focus area includes numerous specific activities designed to move the community toward the health improvement objective. The entire plan emphasizes the social determinants of health.

Social Determinants of health Economic Stability Education Social, Family & Community Neighborhood & Environment Health & Health Care Housing Security & Stability Early Childhood Education & Development Social Cohesion Environmental Conditions Access to Primary Care/Trusted Provider Employment High School Education Civic Participation Access to Health Foods Health Literacy Language & Literacy

Our focus today is engagement Theresa Lahr, Project Coordinator, will discuss strategies for engagement throughout the health improvement plan, and comment on why having residents at the center of community health improvement efforts is critical. Gabe Telarico, Community Business Mentor, will discuss strategies for engaging residents in the Improving Economic and Educational Opportunities focus area of the health improvement plan.

RESIDENTS ON THE MOVE!

Resident Health Promotion Projects FOR ENGAGEMENT Over 50 Resident Driven Projects implemented since November 2013. Citizens taking action to improve their community. 14 projects in a 6 month period engaged 250 residents. Key examples.

Perseverance, RESIDENT LEADERSHIP, AUTHENTIC ACTORS “Who Knows? The program may someday serve the whole county and could be a model for other counties. That is my dream,” Dresser said. “The program also provides an opportunity for residents to interact with their neighbors in a manner that will form relationships and a sense of community.” FLT 2016

Support for Local Business Networking Marketing Staffing Microenterprise Grants/Loan Program

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION Support for Education: ADD A PHOTO HERE Work with local School Districts to create learning opportunities for students in their career interests. Local businesses act as work study sites. Students gain hands on work experience while earning school credit. Short 10-20 week programs allow students to test the career fit. ADD A PHOTO HERE

Change at the personal level Christy— Improved business with a micro-enterprise loan Increased community involvement with classes More networking within the community leading to a larger support system Doris — 25 lb weight loss Diabetes and blood pressure control community engagement

CHANGE AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL Getting involved means: Reduced stress Better outlook Improved mental health Increased sense of self-efficacy

Change at the community level Getting involved means: Local assets put to work for good Increased collective efficacy South County Recognition Environment and Policy Change

Change in health status – Participatory Evaluation Shirley B "You can be proud that STEPS has been a great catalyst for improving the attitudes and available activities here at the Conifer community and throughout the Village ."

www.senecasteps.org NYStepsProject Thank you! Questions? Comments?