Community Health Assessments and Improvement Planning (CHA CHIP)
CHA CHIP has more than a 30-year history in Iowa and represents vital local action to promote and protect the health of Iowans. At least every five years, local public health assures a community-wide process takes place to identify the most important factors affecting health in the community and to plan strategies to build on strengths and work on gaps. These CHA CHIP discussions form the foundation for statewide planning and action to improve the health of all who live, work and play in Iowa.
Federal requirements for nonprofit hospitals to conduct community health needs assessments every three years present an opportunity for hospitals and local public health to join forces to identify needs and craft strategies for meeting them. Working together can result in greater collaboration between hospitals and local public health and an initiation of new partnerships. Both groups in the health system stand to gain from the relationship. Even more important, the community benefits when data, resources, and expertise are shared to attain the common goal of a healthier community.
CHA CHIP Reporting and Guide
An overview of the CHA CHIP process and reporting timelines for local public health. It is important to note that the CHA CHIP program is currently being redeveloped.
A CHA CHIP is a community-wide process for identifying the most important factors affecting health in the community and developing a plan to improve health by building on community strengths and working on gaps.
CHAs & CHIPs are due on November 17, 2023. Once complete, please email them to us at cha-chip@idph.iowa.gov.
Your CHA report should include:
CHA process: How did you conduct your assessment? What process did you use? What primary data did you collect?
Community profile: Who lives in your county - what are the demographics? What is the morbidity and mortality for the county? What disparities exist? What positively or negatively impacts the health of your community?
Top issues: What were the top issues your community identified and why?
Your CHIP report should include:
CHIP process: Who was involved? How was the community engaged? How were goals and strategies identified?
Priorities, goals, objectives, and strategies: Identify your priorities and the goals, objectives, strategies, and responsible parties for each strategy.
The following CHA CHIP guide consists of basic steps and tools for community assessment and planning. Key elements include an analysis of community health needs and assets and developing a set of priorities and objectives for taking action. The process calls for community-wide participation in shaping decisions about improving the community’s health and mobilizing support and resources. The basic steps in the guide are consistent with the assessment and planning requirements in the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) Public Health Standards (Domains 1 and 5) and IRS requirements for tax-exempt hospitals based on Section 501(r)(3) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act . However, additional documentation is required to demonstrate compliance with PHAB and IRS requirements. See the documents referenced above for specific documentation requirements.
Resources for Developing, Implementing, Tracking, and Evaluating Health Improvement Strategies
Community Health Assessment & Healthy Iowans Orientation Session: Iowa HHS staff held the first Community Health Assessment & Health Iowans Orientation/ Refresher Session on August 7, 2024, to provide an overview of Community Health Assessment as well as the history of Health Iowans and building connections. Please feel free to share the link with other staff and collaborative partners. If you have any questions or would like to learn more please contact the Iowa HHS CHA CHIP Team at cha-chip@hhs.iowa.gov.
Community Tool Box: University of Kansas resource provides tips and tools for taking action in communities and evaluating progress.
Guide to Community Preventive Services: Learn how this CDC guide can help hospitals, public health agencies, and other stakeholders make decisions about adopting evidence-based strategies for improving community health.
What Works for Health: Comprehensive information from the County Health Rankings initiative to help communities select and implement evidence-informed policies, programs, and systems change. The identified policies and programs are organized by specific health factors of interest (e.g., alcohol use under “Health Behaviors,” access to care under “Clinical Care,” community safety under “Social and Economic Factors,” etc.), or by the primary user (e.g., by community leader, health care professional, government official, educator).
