Strategic Targets

On November 22, 2000, the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition Board of Directors met to discuss the desirable and future state of the Coalition.  Strategic targets were developed to forecast the community conditions that are consistent with emerging trends.  These targets help us focus attention on the current state of the Coalition – keeping in mind where the Coalition would like to be in five years. These targets help the Coalition focus in key strategic areas to advance the Coalition and its work. These targets become underlying objectives to the work that will be accomplished in each of the four new task forces, Communications, Awareness & Insurance Availability, Children’s Issues, Substance Abuse and Safe Communities.

Members of the Coalition completed a Radar (Spider) diagram to depict current status of the strategic targets and to project where the Coalition needs to be in five years to achieve organizational success. Using a scale of 1 through 10, the Radar visually displays gaps and work that need to be completed between current and future status. The gap areas also denote levels of required performance, deployment, resources, and timelines for implementing strategies.

1) Become a Respected Catalyst for Collaboration (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated as a 3 working to become a 9/10 in five years)

• Identify current and potential partners
• Establish strong relationships with every health-related agency in Lycoming County
• Serve as a clearinghouse for health information
• Enhance communication that makes us and the community knowledgeable of all services to families
• Serve as a centralized point to discuss/ plan prevention strategies for the community
• Improve mental health coordination and services

2) Provide Leadership for Children’s Issues (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated a 2 working to become a 6 in five years)

• Be an enabling, creative force for a healthy environment for children and young people
• Enhance development and safety of our youth (0-18)

3) Become a Financially Sound Organization (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated a 1.5 working to become a 9 in five years)

• Develop a three-five year strategic plan and anticipated budget
• Have available resources to do regular community assessments, focus groups, etc. (goal: 2 full time staff)

4) Communicate Measurable Outcomes (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated a 5 working to become a 8.5 in five years)

• Identify and develop clear outcomes that direct our actions
• Develop an assessment tool to directly measure the Coalition’s impact on improved community health
• Learn to identify “what is missing” and how to get there
• Build on the good work that we’re doing

5) Participate in Economic Development (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated a 0 working to become a 5 in five years)

• Encourage and promote a healthy use of our “environment”
• Promote economic development as directly related to health improvement

6) Ensure Health Care for Everyone (on a scale of 1-10 in 2001 LCHIC is rated a 3 working to become a 5 in five years)

• Increase availability of health services to the underserved population