Communities in Action is a mechanism through which community members and organizations gather to make connections and address shared issues. This ensures that the efforts of the community are coordinated and focused to better fulfill the complex and changing needs of Richland County now and in the future.

Community Health

Communities in Action defines health in the broadest sense possible. Community health includes:

• · Physical health (rates of disease, access to health care, etc.)
• · Social health (strength of our community organizations, civic participation, etc.)
• · Environmental well being (safety of our communities, pollution, etc.)
• · Quality of life
• · The impressive scope of community health, coupled with the large area of Richland County, requires a strong local effort to improve and monitor our community’s health. Communities in Action was formed as a mechanism to unite local residents to ensure collaborative efforts in improving community health.    

A Multi-Step Process

The goal of Communities in Action, creating healthier communities in Richland County, will occur through three stages.

The first step in this process is to conduct a countywide assessment to determine what assets Richland County currently has and how we can build upon these assets. The next step will be to strategically plan how the community can best utilize our assets and how we can build new ones. Finally, Communities in Action will assist Richland County in implementing a plan, developed from the assessment and the strategic plan, which will result in a healthier Richland County. This sustainable cycle is continuous, ensuring a strong community long into the future.

Assessment

In order to identify the need for potential projects and partnerships, Communities in Action is conducting a countywide assessment, the first step in the three stage process. The assessment will evaluate the community’s assets and areas requiring asset-building, long-term planning, physical health, environmental health, and local public health system. The information from this assessment will provide policy makers and local residents alike with the information they need to ensure Richland County will be a healthy and sustainable community. Following the completion of the assessment, the community will draw up a strategic plan addressing the issues raised through the assessment process. This strategic plan will be implementing through a continuous cycle of planning, action, and evaluation.

Sustainability

A truly healthy community must be able to maintain itself well into the future. Communities in Action has made a commitment to sustainability through detailed record keeping, long term visioning, and the dedication of its participants. For Communities in Action to be sustainable, the process must be community driven and led- that means we need your support and help. Everyone can make a difference in Richland County.

Communities In Action partners with the Corporation for National & Community Service through AmeriCorps*VISTA. For more information on AmeriCorps*VISTA, click here.

For more information contact:

Melissa Boyer at (406) 433-6946 or email her at mboyer@richland.org

Beth Cook at (406) 433-6946 or email her at bcook@richland.org