Can the same improvement techniques that we know work in organizations work in communities? Community capacity development theory is strengths-based, pragmatic, and inclusive, and requires collaborative leadership, broad participation, and the willingness and ability of a community to learn over time. Stratis Health has found that the community capacity development theory is well suited to engaging communities in healthcare-related initiatives, because they usually have a keen awareness of their collective strengths and weaknesses and a deep understanding of their culture, making them experts at identifying and tailoring solutions that best fit their unique situations.
The Performance Excellence Network is pleased to welcome Janelle Shearer, Program Manager, Stratis Health and Jenny Friday, Nurse Care Coordinator and Educator, FirstLight Health System, to our June 12 St. Paul PEN breakfast discussion: “Community Capacity Approach: Engaging Communities to Achieve Common Goals.”
Community capacity building is about promoting the ‘capacity’ of local communities to develop, implement and sustain their own solutions to problems in a way that helps them shape and exercise control over their physical, social, economic and cultural environments. Janelle will share common elements used in engaging communities in multiple quality improvement initiatives. Examples will include rural palliative care, coordination of care, and a statewide, virtual community to increase home health acceptance. While the discussion will center on improving health, the techniques could work in any community.
The discussion is at Metro State University in the Student Center (details provided at registration). Continental breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:00 with the presentation from 8:00 to 9:00 am. No cost for members; $30 for non-members.
The discussion will also be made available to view through Facebook livestream (free for all PEN members) and/or video-on-demand ($20 members, $40 non-members; free for Premium/Sponsoring members).
Speaker bio:
Janelle Shearer, RN, BSN, MA, CHPQ, Program Manager, Stratis Health
Janelle leads the Stratis Health Coordination of Care and Rural Palliative Care initiatives. She has led multiple community-based initiatives and is currently working with ten community groups across Minnesota to improve care coordination by bringing community partners together to address their local issues. In addition, Janelle is leading a multi-state rural community-based palliative care initiative. Ms. Shearer has extensive experience at Stratis Health leading quality improvement programs related to hospital, home health care, patient safety, and palliative care. She holds a master of nursing degree from Bethel University and a BSN from the University of Iowa.
Jenny Friday, RN, BSN, PHN, Nurse Care Coordinator and Educator, FirstLight Health System
Jenny Friday joined FirstLight Health System in early 2011 as the Wellness Coordinator. She worked as a nurse care coordinator and educator since 2014. Jenny has experience in public health, case management, home care, hospice, jail nursing, family planning, clinic, and long-term care experience. Jenny graduated from Anoka-Ramsey Community College in 1996 with an associate degree in nursing. She has since graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Regis University, where she is currently working on a master’s in nursing leadership with an education focus.
