Planning Process

This departmental strategic plan covers the period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027.

This plan is intended to guide our programs and to align with the state and community health improvement plans. The operating divisions will use this strategic plan as they develop their own work plans. This plan is intended to meet the Public Health Accreditation Board Standards and Measures.

This plan was developed in a series of meetings with the Strategic Planning Committee of Canton City Public Health. Department staff, partners, stakeholders and the community were consulted during the process. Meeting minutes, additional planning information and notes are documented.

Progress will be reviewed quarterly by presentation to the Board of Health. During these reviews, goals and objectives may be changed depending on the needs of the department. Contact Amanda Archer, MPH, Health Commissioner at (330) 489-3231 for questions about this plan.

Mission, Vision and Values

The mission statement was based on input from our planning committee consisting of community members, stakeholders, partners and staff, as well as review with the Board of Health. The vision statement identifies the department’s role in advancing the community’s health to an ideal future state. It reflects the department’s goal of ensuring a future of improved and equitable health outcomes for everyone. The committee identified these values to help guide the department’s work in the community.

Risk Analysis

A Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was completed by the planning committee on May 1, 2023. The results of that analysis are listed below.

Equity and Inclusion

Our approach to defining strategic priorities was an inclusive and equity-driven process, informed by data, community input, collaboration, and a commitment to measurable outcomes. We believe that this approach will enable us to address the health needs of our community comprehensively and with fairness, making tangible improvements in the lives of all our residents.

Strategic Priorities

Using information from 1) the State of Ohio Health Improvement Plan, the 2) Stark County Community Health Needs Assessment, the 3) Stark County Community Health Improvement Plan, as well as input from our community, partners and staff, the following strategic priorities were identified. Within each strategic priority, several goals and objectives were developed. Every attempt was to make the objectives specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time based. Where possible, benchmarks for performance were identified as well as performance measurement recommendations.

A detailed plan is included as Appendix A. The appendix further identifies specific actions (steps) and responsibilities for the implementation of this strategic plan.

Priorities and goals were selected for this plan based on survey responses from committee members, stakeholders, partners and the community.

The strategic plan will be used to guide specific division work plans. Work plans will incorporate the specific objectives and goals as delineated in the Performance Management System (see Appendix A). Copies of the strategic plan will be posted on the department website and made available for staff, Board of Health members, and the public as requested.

The objectives and goals in this strategic plan will be incorporated into the department’s performance management system. The performance management system is described in policy 800-999. See that document for further information on tracking, reporting, and updating of the strategic plan and associated action plan.

Appendix A – Action Plan

The most recent draft action plan follows.

Appendix B – Strategic Planning Workgroup Members and Meeting Schedule

The following is a list of the Strategic Planning Workgroup Members.

The workgroup conducted meetings on 2/6/2023, 2/21/2023, 3/6/2023, 3/20/2023, 4/3/2023, 4/17/2023, 5/1/2023, 5/15/2023, 6/26/2023, 7/24/2023, 8/7/2023, 8/21/2023, 9/5/2023 and 9/18/2023. The meeting notes as well as additional planning background information are documented in the project folder.