Members of the public gathered last week to discuss a community health needs assessment conducted every three years, to provide feedback on the 2023 priorities identified by MAPP and to complete a survey to narrow down the current six priorities to a single priority.
MAPP, or Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships, creates a community health needs assessment for the community of Homer every three years to identify top priorities related to creating a healthier community for all.
The 2023 priorities include: mental health, housing, substance misuse, child care, physical health and food insecurity.
These were identified through the MAPP team but brought to a meeting at the Kachemak Bay campus on Oct. 13 for discussion on what these components entail.
The public event ended by having participants vote via an online survey on what they perceive to ultimately be the top priority.
The event started with a brief introduction by all audience members and included a wide array of representative occupations and industries in the community— from medical professionals, people working in housing, public safety, food security and availability across income levels, public educators, nonprofit organizations, public media, community agriculture, city employees, legal representatives, religious organizations, youth behavioral health services, environmental transitions, substance use and misuse and general wellness.
After a general introduction of the goal and intentions of MAPP by Derotha Ferraro with South Peninsula, participants broke out into discussion groups led by board members to brainstorm what each of the previously mentioned priorities might include related to different dimensions of the community in fields such as social, cultural and economic components.
Facilitators for the discussion groups reported back to the larger group as a whole and participants used an online voting system to respond to various questions about the 2023 community priorities.
Questions included things such as “Which priority is the most important?” “Which already has the most existing effort?” “Do you think there is potential for more community collaboration?”
Results from the poll will be available soon and a single priority will be identified for the 2023 needs assessment. Another community meeting will also be scheduled soon.
A similarly themed panel discussion was held on Oct. 12 at Homer Public Library with Guiding Growth, a grassroots nonpartisan group looking to gather public awareness and interests in how the community of Homer is facing change.
Panelists included realtor Sarah Richardson, City of Homer Economic Development Coordinator Julie Engebretsen, Derotha Ferraro, Katie Gavenus with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, and Homer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Anderson. Guiding Growth will hold a two-day skill-building workshop with the Alaska Humanities Forum on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, “Leading Conversations to Build Community.” To learn more or sign up, contact Mercedes Harness at mercedesharness@gmail.com.
