Embedding Community Engagement into an Organization: Peterborough Public Health’s Experience

In this episode, Julie Brandsma from Peterborough Public Health joins Andrea to talk about embedding community engagement at the organizational level. Peterborough Public Health’s (PPH) community engagement journey began in 2013 when the health unit developed their strategic plan. “Community-centered focus” was identified as one of four strategic directions. This direction was important in order for the health unit to be accountable not only to the Ontario Public Health Standards, but also to the public and community agencies. The strategic direction recognizes the growing interest from the public to be involved in making decisions. The health unit selected the IAP2 Spectrum as a model to recognize what has already been done and to provide guidance on deepening efforts. This was approved by health unit managers. Next, PPH adapted the City of Peterborough’s community engagement guide for the public health context. The guide includes definitions, a step model and a variety of tools to help staff implement community engagement. To supplement implementation of the guide and tools, a core group of public health staff provide guidance around training and learning needs. PPH also has a set of “organizational expectations” that speak to the essence of what community engagement is and how it is done in the Peterborough Public Health context:

• There is clarity and purpose to the community engagement strategy
• The engagement will be meaningful to the community that you are engaging
• Engaging community members is intentional, planned in a way that will sustain relationships and trust between community members and our organization
• Move towards the empowerment end of the spectrum (where appropriate)

Regular listeners know that we end each podcast episode with an action step or concrete action that listeners can start with. Julie’s advice is to recognize that we have already started- we all have examples of what we/our organizations are already doing to involve communities in our work. Take time to stop and reflect on what you are doing now, how it is going, how we can build on strengths, and what you could change to make the engagement more meaningful and purposeful for the community themselves.

You can check out PPH’s community engagement tools on their website or contact info@peterboroughpublichealth.ca with any questions.