Enhancing Community Engagement
Everett Mass in Motion
Overview
Everett's Mass in Motion program needed to identify and address the community's healthy food and physical activity needs. ACBC Consulting provided training and designed a mini Community Health Assessment, highlighting the voices of community members with lived expertise of food insecurity. Based on the assessment's findings, ACBC Consulting developed a one-year action plan focused on collaborating with local community-based organizations. The plan increased community engagement and led to the establishment of a Food Policy Council that promotes equitable access to healthy food.
Challenge
The Everett Mass in Motion program needed to understand the community's health needs and create an action plan for healthy food and physical activity.
Approach
ACBC Consulting provided training and designed a mini Community Health Assessment that quickly identified the community's needs through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. We developed a one-year action plan from this assessment that focused on engaging community members and supporting community-based organizations.
Outcome
The one-year action plan developed by ACBC Consulting increased community engagement and collaboration. It was even informally recognized as the best Mass in Motion plan of the year! Through its collaborative action, the plan led to the establishment of a Food Policy Council that promotes equitable access to healthy food. The council now develops policies that increase access to healthy foods in underserved areas, expand community gardens, and promote equitable healthy food initiatives.
Conclusion
Thanks to ACBC Consulting, the Mass in Motion program identified the community's needs and developed an action plan focused on community engagement. The plan was highly successful and led to a Food Policy Council that has established policies that will benefit community food access for years to come.