Strategic Planning

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) defines strategic planning as “a disciplined process aimed at producing fundamental decisions and actions that will shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does what it does. The process of assessing a changing environment to create a vision of the future; determining how the organization fits into the anticipated environment, based on its mission, strengths, and weaknesses; then setting in motion a plan of action to position the organization,” with the strategic plan focusing on a range of agency level organizational goals, strategies and objectives, including new initiatives.

Public Health Approach to Strategic Planning

We approached the development of our strategic plan with the use of a framework that supports the following elements. Our strategic plan will:

  • Support decision-making and guide agency activities
  • Help us prioritize efforts and effectively allocate resources
  • Enhance transparency
  • Provide flexibility to allow for adaptation to meet community needs
  • Align stakeholders and employees on the organization’s goals

Vision

For all El Paso County residents to live in thriving communities where every person has the opportunity to achieve optimal health.

Mission

To promote and protect public health and environmental quality across El Paso County through people, prevention and partnerships.

Values

Accountability

We accept our individual and team responsibilities and meet our commitments. We are good stewards of county resources.

Collaboration

We cultivate strategic partnerships to expand access to needed services, reduce disparities and barriers to care, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.

Innovation

We strive to find new processes or programs that provide value to our partners. We pursue innovative ideas that improve system efficiencies or demonstrably improve health outcomes in our community.

Integrity

We approach our work and communicate with our partners in an honest, consistent and reliable manner.

Respect

We treat all partners, especially those to whom we provide direct services, as valuable and important. We listen and respond to issues appropriately and professionally. We recognize the importance of diversity.

Transparency

We exercise clear, open and honest communication.

Image of pillars sitting on top of a foundation

Strategic Pillars

The organization identified four strategic pillars that represent broad goal areas based on the analysis of SPW sessions and feedback from stakeholders. The pillars are expressed at a high-level in order to capture all possible forward movement across the agency and within specific programs. Specific objectives will be articulated each year and set forth in an annual work plan. The annual work plan guides the daily work of programs and staff to assure that work is aligned with the strategic plan, there is a process for measuring progress, and that QI opportunities are identified.

Workforce

To attract and retain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce to provide services for the residents of El Paso County

Health Data & Communication

To foster and build trust with internal and external stakeholders through the use of relevant, credible and transparent data and communication

Community Trust & Engagement

To build trust and strengthen relationships between Public Health and residents to expand an understanding of public health

Partnerships

To develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with cross-sector partners to support the public health system through shared funding, services, and collective action

Foundational Public Health Capabilities and Services

The foundational public health capabilities are the cross-cutting capacities and expertise needed to support foundational services and public health programs. They include:

  • assessment and planning;
  • communications;
  • policy development and support;
  • partnerships;
  • organizational competencies;
  • emergency preparedness and response;
  • and the determinants of health.

The foundational services are the subset of services in each public health program area that are foundational to building and maintaining healthy communities. They include:

  • communicable disease prevention,
  • investigation and control;
  • environmental public health;
  • maternal, child, adolescent, and family health;
  • chronic disease,
  • injury prevention and behavioral health promotion;
  • and access to and linkage with healthcare.