Welcome to the Community Engagement Web Site at MDH

Engaging community members in problem-solving solutions to issues that affect them is one of the fundamental principles of public health. The most effective way to achieve public health goals, especially the elimination of disparities in health status, is to actively engage those experiencing the problems in every aspect of addressing them. Community engagement means involving community members in ALL activities--from identifying the relevant issues and making decisions about how to address them, to evaluating and sharing the results with the community. The information on this Web site provides background, tips and tools for effective community engagement.

• Overview: What is Community Engagement?
  These Web pages examine the principles and lessons behind community engagement.

• Resources & Tools:
  Models, strategies and tools for Community Engagement

• Groups & Events: Planning, Organizing, and Conducting
  Mobilizing key community people and organizations - and keeping them engaged - helps ensure a project's success. These tools focus on the process of forming and running groups and meetings.

• Multicultural Community Resources:
  The process of community engagement often involves integrating practices of preventing discrimination, correcting imbalances, and managing relationships of difference. These tools can help to increase diversity, promote cultural competence, and enhance organizational credibility and effectiveness in your project or program.

• Community Engagement Links
  Links to additional information on Community Engagement and related information.

Can't find what you are looking for?
Contact us at 651-201-3880 or ophp@health.state.mn.us