About the Partnership for Community Health

The Partnership for Community Health of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties (PCH) is a multiagency collaborative of local public health authorities, health systems, and key partners committed to improving community health in the region. The PCH was established in 2021 to promote a shared vision for community health and positive change.

Cute senior couple explore the Pacific Northwest together on a day hiking trip. They are walking across a log in the forest. She is in front and they have their arms out for balance as they inch across.

Our Partnerships

This image shows the revised 10 Essential Public Health Services Framework in a pinwheel with Equity at the center. The wheel is separated by three sections. Section one: 'equity' at the center. 'Equity ' at the center. The Framework organizes the essential services around three core public health functions: (1) Assessment. This includes 'assess and monitor population health along with investigate,' and 'investigate, diagnose, and address health hazards/root causes. Section two includes, policy development includes communicative and root causes.' (2) Policy Development. This includes 'communicate effectively to inform and educate, . Section three, assurance, includes enforce laws, link to/provide to care, assure competent workforce, and evaluate;' 's;' 'Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships;' and two other policy development services. (3) Assurance. This includes 'Enable equitable access;' 'Build a diverse and skilled workforce;' and two other assurance services.

Our Purpose

The PCH supports and enhances health improvement processes using a collective impact framework. Collective impact is a collaborative approach where organizations and community members work together to solve complex social and systemic problems by focusing on a shared vision of positive change.

Guiding Principles

1. Accountability

Accepting responsibility for one’s actions, as well as the impact—both intended and unintended—of health policy and decisions that are made at the organizational level

2. Authentic

Being honest with oneself and with others, and not speaking for others unless it is a reflective experience

3. Collective impact

Working together as community members, organizations, and institutions to advance equity by adopting a common vision and aligning actions to achieve population- and systems-level change

4. Community-centered vision

Hearing and honoring what the people who live, work, and play say about what they want their community to be like in the future

5. Courage

Possessing a quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty

6. Data equity and justice

Using data equity principles to guide decision-making, strategic planning, and program implementation and employing data justice to challenge systems that contribute to health inequity

7. Direct communication

Expressing thoughts and feelings in clear, straightforward statements while actively listening to others to engage in a free-flowing sharing of ideas

8. Diversity

Including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds, different genders, sexual orientations, etc., in all policy considerations

9. Equity

Recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and acknowledging historical inequities to improve the health of under-resourced populations

10. Inclusion

Providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized

11. Strategic

Advancing the organization’s mission and goals using data and best practices to improve long-term health outcomes

12. Transparency

Being open and honest with intentions and values

How to Get Involved

To learn more about the Partnership for Community Health or our work on community health improvement, contact:

Amy Young, MPH – Partnership for Community Health Project Manager