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Community Health Needs Assessment

Focused on the greatest health needs in our region

As the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in northeast Indiana, we reinvest our resources in services and programs that directly affect the health and well-being of the communities we serve. In this way, we invest in you.

Every three years, Parkview Health conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) that identifies the greatest health needs in our region and allows us to develop strategies to address those needs in a manner consistent with our mission, expertise and resources. The assessment is a valuable tool in Parkview’s strategic planning process and in the development of our community benefit plan. This data is also shared with community organizations and leaders to assist in their planning and to encourage opportunities for collaboration.

The most recent CHNA was completed in 2022 by the Health Services and Informatics Research (HSIR) team, affiliated with the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. This assessment collected a comprehensive set of healthcare indicators and community and provider survey data to determine the top 10 significant health needs in the Parkview Health service area. Based on the information identified, Mental Health was selected as the systemwide shared health priority for Parkview Health for 2022-2025.

More about the CHNA process and the current community health priorities for Parkview-affiliated hospitals can be found in the respective Community Health Needs Assessment reports.

Based on the needs identified, work underway includes:

SOS Program

Parkview/Park Center’s mobile crisis team is working to decrease unnecessary mental health visits to Emergency Departments within the health system service area by responding to individuals in crisis wherever they are located, de-escalating the situation and connecting the person to ongoing wrap-around services to better support their mental health needs.

Effective crisis intervention often requires collaboration among various stakeholders. The SOS Program fosters partnerships with local law enforcement, healthcare providers, social services agencies and other community organizations. By collaborating to serve the individual’s best interest, these entities can pool their resources and expertise to deliver comprehensive support to those in crisis not only during but also following the event. This approach ensures the individual is connected to resources and is able to maintain their life within the community successfully.

Peer Recovery Coach program

Through the Peer Recovery Coach program, Parkview is working to reduce the number of individuals with substance use disorders who go without services. The Peer Recovery Program was developed to meet the needs of individuals and families who are dealing with the disease of addiction. Through a one-on-one conversation, the coach offers a variety of support, including but not limited to emotional support, resource navigation, information on halfway houses, and medication assistance.

The coaches help identifying real life issues, barriers and triggers that an individual is struggling with. A wellness plan is initiated assuring individuals have the tools needed to successfully navigate their recovery process. Family members are encouraged to be a part of this healing process, as we understand that addiction effects everyone. Every individual has their own unique recovery process; it’s the responsibility of the coach to advocate and offer hope for a safe recovery.

Homeless Outreach

To improve access to healthcare services and care coordination, Parkview assists clients at numerous area shelters. A large part of that outreach is mental health care navigation. Nurses and community health workers help clients access treatment, tools and resources to better self-regulate. Interventions can include assistance with health insurance, medication pick-up at pharmacies, medication preauthorization with providers, follow up appointments, compliance with care, discharge instructions and connection to other community resources.

What is an implementation strategy?

An implementation strategy serves as an in-depth plan for each hospital to address health needs identified through the community health needs assessment and other resources. It includes goals, objectives and action plans designed to improve the health of the local community.

The implementation strategy serves as the community health improvement plan for each hospital to address health needs identified through the community health needs assessment and other resources.

Look for your respective 2023 community health improvement plans below.

DeKalb County

DeKalb Health joined Parkview Health on October 1st, 2019 and became Parkview DeKalb Hospital. Below is the combined report containing this facility’s 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment and 2019 Implementation Plans.

DeKalb Health 2019 Report

DeKalb Health 2019 Report Amendment