STEPP Community Engagement
What is community engagement?
Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with groups of people connected by geography, shared interests, or similar circumstances to address issues affecting their well-being.
Engagement can range from providing information to sharing leadership and decision-making with the community.
Outreach
Communication primarily flows from the organization to the community.
- Provides the community with information.
- Establishes communication channels.
- Organizations and community members generally operate independently.
Resources
- Community Engagement: An Introduction — A brief video introduction to community engagement from the Public Health Center for Excellence.
- Inclusive Communication Principles — CDC guidance for using inclusive language, images, and communication practices.
- MAPP 2.0 Handbook — A community-driven strategic planning process from the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Consult
Communication flows to the community and then back to the organization.
- Seeks information, perspectives, or feedback from community members.
- Creates opportunities for organizations and communities to share information.
- Helps develop connections and improve programs or initiatives.
Resources
- Community Engagement: A Participatory Action Approach Toward Health Equity and Justice — An action-focused toolkit supporting community members in exploring and understanding issues affecting their communities.
- Obtaining and Using Feedback from Participants — Guidance from the Community Tool Box on collecting and using participant feedback.
- Putting Public Health Evidence in Action — Training materials from the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network covering public health engagement and evidence-based implementation.
Involve
Communication flows in both directions, with community members participating throughout the work.
- Uses participatory forms of communication.
- Creates meaningful opportunities for community involvement.
- Encourages organizations and community members to cooperate.
Resources
- Resources for Collaboration and Power Sharing — Human Impact Partners resources for collaboration between government agencies and community power-building organizations.
- Video Snapshots: Lessons from the Field—Centering Community Voice — Case studies exploring community engagement projects.
- Encouraging Involvement in Community Work — Community Tool Box strategies for promoting community participation.
Collaborate
Organizations and community members form partnerships and work together throughout a project.
- Communication is bidirectional.
- Community partners participate from project development through implementation.
- Partners establish shared processes, responsibilities, and communication channels.
Resources
- Coalition Building Guide — Community Tool Box guidance for organizing people and organizations around a shared goal.
- Developing Effective Coalitions: An Eight-Step Guide — A Prevention Institute framework for engaging individuals, organizations, and government partners.
- Recommendations for Strengthening Partnerships — CDC Foundation guidance for strengthening relationships among health departments and community-based organizations.
Shared leadership
Community members and organizations share power, responsibility, and accountability.
- Final decisions are made at the community level.
- Partners have established strong and sustainable structures.
- Relationships are supported by mutual trust and shared ownership.
Resources
- Maintaining a Coalition — Guidance from the Community Tool Box on sustaining a coalition and its mission.
- Community Organizing, Partnerships, and Coalitions — An overview of community organizing and top-down and bottom-up partnership approaches.
- Planning for Funding and Sustainability — Rural Health Information Hub guidance on sustaining community health programs.
Additional resources
Trainings
Learn how to plan and structure focused, inclusive, and action-oriented meetings. The workshop covers persuasive communication and techniques for encouraging dialogue and participation.
Free for Colorado-based participants; new dates are offered quarterly.
This 10-week course develops skills for facilitating efficient and effective meetings and coalitions. Participants learn how to manage difficult situations, generate and evaluate ideas, and support group decision-making.
Registration fee required.
Engaging the Wisdom of Community: The Energetics of Online Engagement
This two-hour session introduces practical approaches for creating belonging, meaning, and participation in virtual settings.
No cost; dates are offered quarterly.
Social Justice Approaches to Youth Engagement
Explore anti-oppressive practices that create equitable opportunities for young people and help them understand and challenge systems of power.
No cost for Colorado-based participants; dates are offered quarterly.