Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Putnam, Connecticut, May 2001

Workplan

The workgroup made strong commitments to continue meeting both to implement the recommendations and to continue the communication and collaborations begun in the group. It was decided to convene a smaller working group to meet on a regular basis to help guide the implementation process. The importance of maintaining priorities was emphasized; there was concern that the process not be diverted by outside influences such as funding opportunities that do not address the identified needs of the community. The importance of connecting the workgroup to regional health planning structures was stressed, particularly the Community Health Coordinating Council. The importance of basing initiatives on data about the needs of the community and evaluating the effectiveness of any initiatives was clear. The need to continue monitoring Putnam's health care environment and anticipate challenges and opportunities is critical.

It was decided that designation of a specific timeframe and workplan to implement the recommendations was premature and not appropriate for this study. To ensure successful implementation, plans must be developed over time by the community and the workgroup using the need assessment as a guide. Any plans must be responsive to changes in Putnam's health care environment as they arise.

Plans to disseminate the results of the needs assessment to the community and to build community support included:

• publication of the executive summary in the annual town report
• Posting the report on-line
• Distribution through SPAN, a regional social service providers' collaboration
• Distribution to area providers
• Mailing a summary to all Putnam residents
• Convening a facilitated community forum to describe the report and the recommendations