The Benton-Franklin Health District participates in a local process to assess community wide health priorities in collaboration with a multitude of community partners. This process and resulting report is called a Community Health Assessment (CHA). Tax exempt hospitals are required to participate in completing a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. BFHD is required to have a current CHA in order to maintain national accreditation as a public health agency. BFHD work closely with local hospital partners to make the assessment a collaborative process that meets our mutual goals.

The CHA is a document that summarizes needs, resources, and systems within the community. The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) focuses the needs into evidence-based goals and objectives aimed to resolve disparities, improve health, and reduce barriers. The CHA and the CHIP belong to all community members, including partners. They can help agencies focus their activities, obtain resources, and identify partnerships.

You are invited to join us and engage in being part of the solutions. Please reach out to Honor Crawford for opportunities to contribute to these important community initiatives.