PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
Several Northeast Kingdom health and social service organizations are joining forces to understand local community health needs and priorities, a collaboration coined the NEK Coordinated Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The NEK Coordinated CHNA conversations began in 2022, resulting in the formation of a regional Steering Committee in January 2024. The Steering Committee includes North Country Hospital, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH), VT Department of Health, NEK Council on Aging, NEK Community Action, NEK Human Services, and Northern Counties Health Care.
“The formalization of the NEK Coordinated CHNA Steering Committee exemplifies the local commitment to a greater level of engagement and alignment across partner organizations,” shared Diana Gibbs, NVRH VP of Community Health Improvement. “The ability to leverage capacity and resources to support a collective vision for this assessment process will be foundational for other collaborative opportunities ahead.”
Let your voice be heard! Take the survey!
Together, we are introducing a community survey for NEK residents ages 18 and older who live, work, or spend a majority of their time here. We encourage all residents to provide feedback on current health needs and social program and service opportunities. Reponses to the survey will help inform how participating organizations can support programs, services, and activities that will improve the health of Northeast Kingdom communities. The community survey will be distributed to the public starting May 30 and will close on June 30. Survey topics will include opportunities to offer feedback on a diverse range of subjects that include, but are not limited to: children and family health, adult and elder health, mental health and substance use, housing, nutrition, employment, healthcare facilities, transportation, health insurance, and recreation.
“When we describe healthcare, we understand that there are many things that influence health,” said Meg Burmeister, Executive Director of the NEK Council on Aging. “This survey will help us to know where resources should be directed to improve health and wellness.”
The survey will be available in paper and electronic formats. Responses to the survey are private and anonymous. The survey does not ask for names or contact information. To take the 15-minutes online survey, please visit: https://bit.ly/nekchna2024. To get a paper version of the survey, or to obtain support to fill it out, please contact NVRH Community Connections at (802) 748-7526, NEK Council on Aging at (800) 642-5119, or Northern Counties Health Care at (802) 748-9405 ext. 1518 and ask for the "2024 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey." Paper surveys will also be available at each partner organization located in the main lobby. Please plan to return your survey to the location in which you received it. All responses to the survey are due by June 30, 2024.
What’s next?
Over the summer, the Steering Committee and respective sub-committees will analyze data and develop assessment summary reports for both the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and North Country Hospital health service areas. An NEK-wide report will be made available in early 2025. CHNA reports will be publicly available, including on participating organization websites. Please look for additional communication and information regarding this effort and ways for your voice to be included.
