Public Health Approach
Post Conference 2012 Plan of Action

The conference was the first step in the process for developing and implementing an action plan to address the trauma faced by African Americans here in Pittsburgh. Now we are about to roll up our sleeves, digest and internalize the messages that were delivered and begin the work of creating, formalizing and implementing a plan related to the goals and objectives of the conference. We will need collaboration and partnerships necessary to make this plan of action a reality.

Post Conference Goals and Objectives

1. The establishment of a collaborative/partnership to: 1.) build a strong community-based public health network, and 2.) create an effective model and plan for a continuum of care within community settings.
2. Development of a comprehensive, community-based, community driven model for intervention and prevention to connect community stakeholders and public and social service professionals and agencies in Allegheny County.
3. Development of a comprehensive healthy community and public health policies and pathways for addressing crises reflected in social and psychological trauma within African American communities through collaboration among national and local experts with evidence based knowledge and insights.
4. Development of a training and consultation plan inclusive of grass-root organizations and community development advocates, to identify key issues, develop agenda, and to set priorities for the next decade in order to specifically enhance at risk black families.
5. Generate a plan for solution-focused human service system, which includes support from an identified group of local and national thinkers, policy makers, community leaders, grass-roots organizations and faith-based service providers.

ACTION STEPS FOR 2012
Using A Public Health Framework

Community Education Forums based on the four conference theme areas and beginning the discussion regarding Public Policies:

We are proposing theme area quarterly community forums to begin to continue the dialogue with the community on these four theme areas. At each forum will be focused to produce outcomes towards each theme area. The data from the conference will be presented and a plan of action will be developed. These will be working forums, as well as educational as participants will be provided information regarding key issues and discussions will be held on the steps to begin addressing these issues, including the review of public policy. These forums are to create a collaborative groundswell of communities, stake holder and resident involvement to continue the process within the Public Health Framework. As we all know, we need to take this from the abstract to implementation stage and this first starts with working with those most affected at these community forums

1. Education – January 2012, and July, 2012
2. Mental/Physical Health- February and August, 2012
3. Economic Justice - March and September 2012
4. Criminal Justice - March and September 2012

Train the Trainers
You may have noted that there are only 2 meetings per theme area for the year. The reason is that we wanted to take advantage of the expertise we have received during the conference from our Key Note Speakers and panelists. We are proposing that during the 2nd quarter, we have Train the Trainers Series, where those people as well as other national and local experts will come in and expand on the initial concepts and information provided at the conference. This unique opportunity will allow a more intimate and in-depth discussion with the experts, as well as provide training materials and literature that can be used within the most affected areas as we move forward towards best practice model implementation. The proposed dates for these trainings are:

• Education – April, 2012
• Mental/Physical Health – May, 2012
• Criminal Justice and Economic Justice Training – June, 2012

Community Participatory Research
We understand that in order to actualize our best practice model that we must simultaneously use this base as an opportunity for a community driven participatory research project. This critical step, (demonstrated through the outcomes) will the evidenced-based research needed and legitimize the model we have developed, providing the leverage to obtain resources to continue the work and fight this disease that is affecting the African American Community. (Introduce Michael Yonas?)

Provider Network
The creation of a Provider Network to strategize and plan how we leverage resources to address the issues most affecting the African American Community. Specifically this Network will focus on simplifying service delivery by unifying the process from intake to discharge. All service providers invested in this initiative are connected to families in real ways – healing the effects of violence, underemployment, unemployment, disparities in health and education, poverty, racism, and other crucial social conditions that lead to the deterioration of the minds, bodies and souls of the people we serve. We deal with the environmental and social realities of families. Moreover, we will be committed to being their extended family. Our supports will meet the consumers and the community at their strengths.

The provider network will be a community based group of culturally sensitive service providers who believe in diversifying health choices to our consumers and providing quality services using a comprehensive approach. This Network will need to be developed and agreements of understanding made for participation. We will need a core group who are willing to work on this concept as well