Community Health Improvement
We join with others to bring together people, organizations, and resources to raise awareness, build connections, and support a community that values the well-being of all. This is how we’re doing it. 
Our Approach

"Nothing About Us Without Us"

Our community health improvement planning is based on the national Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) model, a community-wide strategic planning process that provided us with a framework, guidance, structure, and best practices for developing a healthier community. MercyOne Northeast Iowa, Peoples Community Health Clinic, and UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital join with us as partners in conducting community health improvement while Advancing Together in the Cedar Valley guides the work for each phase of the process and includes representation from more than 25 organizations throughout the Cedar Valley.

"Nothing About Us Without Us" continues to be an often-cited phrase used by participants during the co-creation of strategic actions. This idea - that no action should be decided without the direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that action – also defines the transformational nature of this community’s collaborative plan. Initial steps in the action cycle will focus on seeking alignment and accountability regarding community resources and gaps as well as continuing to involve the voices of all during all phases of the roadmap.

Community Health Assessment (CHA)

The focus of the 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) was to complete a full update cycle using the MAPP 2.0 framework, building upon previous assessments and integrating new data to reflect current community conditions. Between June and December 2024, three community assessments were conducted: the Community Status Assessment (CSA), the Community Context Assessment (CCA), and the Community Partner Assessment (CPA). Together, these assessments explored the structural, environmental, and systemic factors that shape health in Black Hawk County. The process was led by the Community Health Improvement (CHI) Core Team with guidance from the CHI Steering Committee and input from community health workers, local organizations, and subject matter experts.

To communicate findings and support prioritization, the CHI Core Team produced ten fact sheets summarizing the key themes identified by the CHI Steering Committee as central to the community’s health landscape. A countywide survey gathered input from more than 1,100 residents, and 68 representatives from community organizations, healthcare systems, and grassroots partners convened in January 2025 to prioritize health issues based on data and community perspectives.  

This inclusive, data-driven process reflects Black Hawk County’s commitment to ensuring that public health decisions are informed by data and shaped by community input. The need for additional data is evaluated throughout the cycle and results are shared with action teams implementing the community health improvement plan roadmap as well as publicly.

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Our Health Equity InitiativesData Hub

Taking Action

Advancing Together in the Cedar Valley adopted Economic Stability, Transportation Challenges, and Housing Stability as priority issues for the Community Health Improvement Roadmap. Community members, healthcare providers, policymakers, and local organizations are invited to join in advancing the vision of a Cedar Valley where everyone has a fair opportunity to live well and thrive.

Economic Stability

Our Goal

To create a coordinated and inclusive community environment where all have opportunities for stable employment, income, and well-being through systems, policies, and partnerships that reduce economic barriers and strengthen participation in decision-making. A focus on the root causes of inequities are foundational for Community Health Improvement.

Transportation Challenges

Our Goal

Enhance access to transportation across Black Hawk County by aligning with the Black Hawk County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Region 7 Regional Transportation Association (RTA) Transit Advisory Committee’s (TAC) public transit and passenger transportation improvement efforts, prioritizing service coordination, community engagement, and reducing barriers for system users.

Housing Stability

Our Goal

Support housing stability across Black Hawk County by aligning with and enhancing multi-sector efforts to reduce homelessness and address structural barriers to stable housing, with a focus on collaboration and sustainable systems change.

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

The CHIP Roadmap was developed through a collaborative, data-driven process that centers the voices and experiences of Cedar Valley residents. The core team facilitated a series of meetings with Advancing Together in the Cedar Valley participants to deepen understanding of each priority issue using local data, community feedback, and insights from activities such as the A Walk in Their Shoes poverty simulation.

The 40+ partners that make up Advancing Together played a key role in reviewing findings, identifying common challenges across the priority areas, and ensuring that perspectives from residents and frontline navigators informed the development of each issue profile. This collaborative approach highlighted the need for coordinated resource navigation, responsive services, and strategies that address the underlying factors influencing well-being.

As planning continued, we aligned the CHIP’s strategies with community initiatives already underway to avoid duplication and strengthen impact. This included connecting efforts across sectors, streamlining committee structures, and supporting existing projects.

Each CHIP priority includes clear goals, measurable objectives, and strategies across multiple levels; from systems and community partnerships to organizational coordination and individual support. Progress will be monitored through ongoing data review, community input, and transparent reporting to ensure the plan remains practical, responsive, and driven by community needs.

Summary: 2022 CHA & FY23-25 CHIP
Download 1-Page Summary