Phases of Community Engagement
ATSDR’s Phases of Community Engagement provide a simple, practical framework for organizing community engagement activities throughout the course of a typical site-based environmental public health effort.
How can ATSDR address community member concerns?
What is unique about the community?
What are the purpose and goals of the community engagement effort?
How can ATSDR establish trust and credibility with the community?
How will ATSDR follow through on commitments in the community?
How will ATSDR successfully share its findings and empower the community?
- An Overview section,
- An Ask Yourself section, (with questions to consider when entering a community)
- A Keep in Mind section, (to remind you of important considerations)
- A Community Engagement Activities section, (to consider based on the community’s needs)
It is important to note that, while some activities sit squarely in a specific phase, others are cross-cutting and will apply throughout your involvement with a community. Many activities will happen in parallel, making it critical to maintain good communication across stakeholders and efforts.