The purpose of the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is to develop an ongoing, collaborative process of assessing and responding to the health needs of Mendocino County residents.

During 2015, the CHNA used data on HealthyMendocino.org plus information from local surveys, focus groups, interviews, and other sources to understand major health concerns and their causes in our County and inventory local assets for improving health. This information was used to engage the community in 2016 in setting priorities and strategies for responding to major local health concerns.

The project was planned and carried out by the CHNA Planning Group, a coalition of organizations creating a comprehensive and cost-effective collaborative process. Coalition partners include the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency, Ukiah Valley Medical Center, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, the Alliance for Rural Community Health (ARCH), and North Coast Opportunities. The CHNA Planning Group is affiliated with the Healthy Mendocino Steering Committee.

We welcome additional coalition partners and sponsors. If you would like more information or wish to help, please contact Patrice Mascolo at 707-467-3228 or healthymendocino@ncoinc.org .

CHNA Report and June Meeting Lay the

Groundwork for the CHIP

On June 8, 2016 community leaders from across Mendocino County convened in an all-day Community Health Improvement Planning (CHIP) Workshop at the Ukiah Conference Center. The meeting, hosted by the Community Health Needs Assessment Planning Group, was the first step in building a new county-wide initiative to improve the health and well-being of our County.

The conference opened with an introduction by Susan Baird Kanaan, Chair, Healthy Mendocino Steering Committee, and Dr. Constance Caldwell, Health Officer, Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency, Public Health. 

The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Ron Chapman, Health Strategist and former Director of the California Department of Public Health.

Sandy O'Ferrall, Assistant to CEO Gwen Matthews, Ukiah Valley Medical Center & CHNA Planning Group member, summarized the process to date. 

A summary of the Key Findings of the Community Health Needs Assessment Process was given by Samantha Kinney, MPH, Quality Improvement/Accreditation Program Administrator, Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency and Sue Haun, MA, Community Health Needs Assessment Program Manager, Strategies By Design. 

Data Discussion was facilitated by Miles Gordon, Food Systems Director, North Coast Opportunities, Community Action Agency. Miles led the participants through a process to determine the top priority issues for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Meeting participants looked at questions such as:

• What factors have the greatest negative―and positive―impact on health in Mendocino County?
• What population groups and geographic areas are most vulnerable? 
• What changes would make it easier for local residents to live healthy lives and fulfill their potential?
• Where can we make a strategic difference by combining our efforts and resources? In other words, what can we accomplish through a broad-based partnership that is less possible through more narrowly-defined efforts?