Vision Statement

The purpose of a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is to examine the health issues and status of communities within the county and to identify health priorities that will be the focus for community health improvement for the next three years (2022-2024). The vision of the CHNA is to improve identified health issues and enhance quality of life. The CHNA serves as a comprehensive look into health issues that are affecting the community and region. Jones County Health Department partnered with Craven County Health Department, Pamlico County Health Department, and CarolinaEast Medical System to identify health priorities for the CHNA. Each organization will complete a CHNA that satisfies the requirements from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Board, and Federal Internal Revenue Services.

Leadership

This assessment was prepared in cross-sectoral partnership with Craven County Health Department, Pamlico County Health Department, and CarolinaEast Medical System. Representatives from these organizations made up the CHNA Executive Committee. The CHNA Executive Committee identified community stakeholders to analyze the primary and secondary data, and identify health priorities. This leadership offered a diverse group of professionals to prepare the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Partnerships/Collaborations

CHNA Executive Committee

Adrian Smith, Public Health Educator- Jones County Health Department

Amber Tabarrini, Quality Assurance Specialist – Craven County Health Department

Janzen Jones, Public Health Educator – Craven County Health Department

Stormy Meadows, Health Education and Promotion Coordinator – Pamlico County Health Department

Brandi Popp, Public Relations Director – CarolinaEast Health System

Community Stakeholders

Scott Harrelson, Health Director- Craven County Health Department

Geoff Marret, Director – Craven County Department of Social Services

Jim Davis, Chief Nursing Officer – CarolinaEast Medical Center

Barb Krcmar, Executive Director – Merci Clinic

Billy Wilkes, Director – Craven County Parks and Recreation

Jeff Futrell, Director – Craven County Veteran Services

Mike Swain, Director of Student Services – Craven County Schools

Kelly Walker, Director – Craven Area Rural Transit System

Susan Hall, System of Care Coordinator – Trillium Health Resources

Karen Reaves, System of Care Coordinator – Trillium Health Resources

Stephanie Scott, Practice Director – Pamlico Child and Family Therapy

Tamra Church, Chairperson – Coastal Coalition for Substance Awareness and Prevention

Regional/Contracted Services

Jones County Health Department received support from HealthENC to develop the CHNA. HealthENC is a regional collaborative initiative serving 35 counties with health departments and hospital systems. The collaborative provided counties with a survey template to collect primary data. They also provided secondary health data sources. This data was then presented to relevant stakeholders with the purpose of identifying health priorities. HealthENC provided Jones County Health Department, as well as other eastern NC counties, with the tools to collect and interpret health data to develop the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Theoretical Framework/Model

The CHNA identifies factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of community resources that adequately address these factors. The CHNA process uses a systematic approach through collection, assembly, analysis, and dissemination of information about the health of the county. There are eight (8) phases in the CHNA process:

1. Establish a community health assessment team
2. Collect primary data
3. Collect secondary data
4. Analyze and interpret data
5. Determine health priorities
6. Create the CHNA document
7. Disseminate the CHNA document
8. Develop community health improvement plans

Collaborative Process Summary

Jones County Health Department began the collaborative process of working with Craven and Pamlico County Health Departments and CarolinaEast Medical Center in May of 2021. This is when the initial planning of the 2021 CHNA was conducted, and the planning process completed in March of 2022.

Key Findings

Major findings for the CHA come from the analysis of primary survey data and secondary data sources. Residents of Jones County agreed that Jones County is a safe place to live, a good place to grow old, and a good place to raise children. The top three quality of life issues identified were low income/poverty, lack of community resources, and substance abuse. Stakeholders from Jones, Pamlico, and Craven County, as well as CarolinaEast Health System were presented with the data findings. Members included government representatives, health professionals, civic organizations, and community leaders that serve all three counties. Three health priorities were identified from the data presented, these priorities are listed below.

Health Priorities

The Health Priorities identified for 2021-2024 are:

1. Behavioral Health

2. Community Wellness

3. Workforce Development

Next Steps

The next step in this process is to develop community health improvement plans that will address the identified health priorities for the next three years (2022-2024). Community Health Needs Assessment partners, Jones County Health Department, and CarolinaEast Medical Center will be developing measurable objectives and using evidence-based strategies to address these priorities. For more information about how to become involved, contact the Public Health Educator for Jones County Health Department at (252)-448-9111 ext. 3017.

1.  Behavioral Health

2. Community Wellness

3. Workforce Development