3/11/2021 - Public input is vital to the success of new and existing programs and service development in the county. It is also highly valued by the non-profit coalition working to develop strategic health initiatives to benefit Knox County residents. Beginning this week, the Knox Health Planning Partnership (KHPP) will be asking for your input as part of the 2021 Community Health Assessment.
KHPP has worked in collaboration with Illuminology, a Columbus based researched firm, to develop a survey that gathers data on a variety of topics, including: general health status, chronic diseases, access to care, preventative healthcare, and quality of life. Results of the survey will assist in the creation of the 2021 Community Health Improvement Plan that KHPP will partner with Ohio State’s Center for Public Health Practice to develop.
Knox County residents will be randomly selected to participate in the survey. Selected residents will receive a survey in the mail with a link to complete the survey online. If you are selected and choose to not complete the online survey a paper copy will be mailed to your address in the coming weeks. This survey is completely anonymous and there is no way for answers to be linked back to respondents. Participation in this survey is critical as it will help KHPP member agencies make decisions about programming and initiatives regarding health in our community.
“We complete a Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan every three years and it’s a fantastic opportunity to gather valuable information on the health status of residents directly from them,” said Knox County Health Commissioner Julie Miller. “We also recognized what a tough year it has been for all our residents and this presents the opportunity to learn more about how COVID-19 has affected our physical, mental, and emotional health”.
“And residents can be assured that member agencies of KHPP are fully committed to addressing priority needs identified from the survey results. We expect those priority needs to include physical, behavioral, or environmental health, as well as social service resources and community development.”
Funding for the survey is being provided by Knox Public Health and Knox Community Hospital with additional funding provided by United Way of Knox County, YMCA of Mount Vernon, Knox County Head Start, Mental Health & Recovery Board of Knox & Licking Counties, Knox County Job & Family Services, and Knox Substance Abuse Action Team.
“The work done in KHPP and the collaborative effort that has been put into this assessment is truly an example of the tremendous community spirit that exists in Knox County,” said Miller. “Now, we just need local residents to do their part to complete the project by completing a survey if selected.”
KHPP members include: Knox Public Health, Knox Community Hospital, United Way of Knox County, City of Mount Vernon, Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County, Family & Children First Council, Interchurch Social Services, Knox County Courts, Kenyon College, Kno-Ho-Co Ashland Community Action Commission, Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Knox County Commissioners, Knox County Head Start, Knox County Job and Family Services, New Directions, The Freedom Center, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, OSU Extension of Knox County, and Mount Vernon City Schools.
KHPP hopes to make both the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan available to Knox County residents by early fall 2021.
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The Knox Health Planning Partnership is a non-profit group of over 30 different agencies in the county, including Knox Public Health. KHPP brings together health service agencies, non-profit agencies, local businesses, educational institutions, elected officials, and community members to develop strategies to improve health in our county. KHPP’s mission is to improve the health and quality of life mobilizing partnerships and taking strategic action in Knox County with the overall goal of “making healthy happen” for all Knox County residents.