Community Health Innovation Projects (CHIPs)

Phase II: CHIPs

Community Health Innovation Projects (CHIPs) include identifying an area for community health improvement and creating an initiative that is a part of the solution. Modules inspired by the theory of change will guide students through project completion, helping them to utilize problem solving and strategy to enact effective community change.  

Step 1: Vision

Research, Defining Nature of Intended Impact, and Setting Goal Outcomes

Objectives:

1. Decide on a project subject through research and personal reflection.
   • Explore community-level data
   • Introduce the Penn Highlands Healthcare (PHH) Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Note: Community-level data resources may vary by location.
   • Reflect on personal experiences with health outcomes and disparities
2. Define the nature of the intended impact as it relates to the selected subject area.
   • Determine the ultimate goal for the project, including intended impact 
3. Set goal outcomes for CHIPs

Teaching Resources:

• Note Sheet (Electronic)
• Note Sheet (Print)
• Step 1 Presentation

Step 2: Innovation & Implementation

Evaluating Resources and Planning Activities

Objectives:

1. Identify local assets.
   • Become familiar with local organizations and resources
2. Understand basic grant-writing principles and how to create a budget.
   • Propose a project title, abstract, goals/design, and budget
   • Apply for a mini-grant
3. Develop tools for measuring project success.
   • Establish performance measures
   • Collect quantitative and/or qualitative data
4. Plan action steps for project implementation.
   • Consider project sustainability
   • Participate in community engagement

Teaching Resources:

• Note Sheet (Electronic)
• Note Sheet (Print)
• Mini-Grant Application
• Mini-Grant Rubric
• Step 2 Presentation

Step 3: Evaluation & Empowerment

Reflection, Assessing Impact, and Sharing Outcomes

Objectives:

1. Assess the project.
   • Analyze data
   • Evaluate project outcomes
   • Conduct a pre-/post-analysis to identify community impact
2. Consider project sustainability.
   • Reflect on project and its implementation
3. Share project findings.
   • Communicate findings verbally and in writing
   • Create a professional scientific poster
   • Learn to give an elevator pitch

Teaching Resources:

• Elevator Pitch Critique Sheet
• Step 3 Presentation