Figure 1.1. Community Engagement Continuum

Figure adapted from the International Association for Public Participation and titled “Increasing Level of Community Involvement, Impact, Trust, and Communication Flow.”

An arrow from left to right spans the figure. The first column on the far left side is titled Outreach—Some Community Involvement, which is described as follows: Communication flow is from one to the other, to inform; provides community with information; entities co-exist; and outcomes: optimally, establishes communication channels and channels for research. The next column from the left is titled Consult—More Community Involvement, which is described as follows: Communication flows to the community and then back, answer seeking; Gets information or feedback from the community; entities share information; and outcomes: develops connections. The next column from the left is titled Involve—Better Community Involvement, which is described as follows: Communication flows both ways, participatory form of communication; involves more participation with community on issues; entities are cooperating with each other; and outcomes: visibility of partnership established with increased cooperation. The next column from the left is titled Collaborate—Community Involvement, which is described as follows: Communication flow is bidirectional; forms partnerships with community on each aspect of project from development to solution; entities form bidirectional communication channels; and outcomes: partnership building, trust building. The last column on the far right is titled Shared Leadership—Strong Bidirectional Relationship, which is described as follows: Final decision making is at community level; entities have formed strong partnership structures; and outcomes: Broader health outcomes affecting broader community. Strong bidirectional trust built.