Factors to Consider for Community Engagement Strategies

Print
Related Pages

 

Who is involved in the PHA process
Factors to Consider for Community Engagement Strategies
Factor Type
Health Assessor Notes
Community’s Health Concerns
  • How many community members are concerned about site?
  • What is the level of the community’s concern?
  • Is the community concern level higher (or lower) than expected based on the environmental health risk at the site?

 
  • Are community concerns known?
Demographics
  • How many community members live near the site?
  • Are there any potentially sensitive populations that could be exposed?
  • Does socio-demographic information suggest a need for additional community involvement resources, such as translation, interpreter services, or cultural contacts?
  • How do community members get information? From social media, newspaper, radio, TV, Internet, word-of-mouth?
Community’s Interest in the PHA Process
  • How involved in the PHA process would the community like to be?
  • How would the community like to be kept updated and informed about ATSDR’s activities and work? Community meetings? Fact sheets? Specific types of media?
  • Would some community members or groups prefer e-mailed newsletters and updates?
  • How many community and/or activist groups are involved? How active are they?
  • Will ATSDR be working with a specific community group?
Environmental Public Health
  • Is the site a public health hazard? Is the hazard acute or chronic?
  • Are environmental health risks unknown?
  • Are there certain factors that make the site a high priority?
  • Does site work involve a health study or exposure investigation?
  • Are there any health outcome data or biologic data relevant to the site?
  • Would a physician enhance outreach at the community meetings?
  • Are data available for review now or must ATSDR wait for it?
  • If site is a Superfund site, where is it in the remedial process?
  • Has ATSDR only recently become involved? Or has ATSDR almost finished its work at the site?
  • Do community members need information/outreach now or can this wait until a report (e.g., PHA, HC) is generated?
Media Support
  • What has the community heard from the media? Are there misconceptions to be dispelled?
  • Will media support require more community involvement resources than usual?
ATSDR’s Support of the Community
  • Are there American Indian or Alaskan Native communities at the site?
  • Are there particular issues of concern (e.g., environmental justice, Brownfields) at the site?
  • What past experiences has the community had with government agencies?
  • Does the site have a higher level of need for community involvement resources than usual?
  • How active will the regional representative be in community involvement efforts?
Policy and Partnership Considerations
  • Which other agencies are involved and must be kept updated, and is there a specific order and protocol to follow? How resource intensive will this process be?
  • Are there any policy implications or notifications needed?
Other
  • How many people are working on the site? How many divisions/offices are involved?
  • What is the time frame for report (e.g., PHA, HC) development and communication?