PACE EH Online Course Module 1

Module 1 — Tasks 1–3

In order to begin the PACE EH process there are several key elements necessary to use the methodology. These elements include the agency capacity and external support that is required to complete the process (e.g. staff, experience, support, funds).  

During the first three tasks, local public health professionals embarking on the PACE EH journey must also determine the scope of the assessment (neighborhood level, county level or across jurisdictions).  From here the assessment coordinator can begin to assemble the community based environmental health assessment (CEHA) team by locating and inviting 12–20 key community members.  

Importantly, you can very reasonably complete Task 1 and answer “no.”  If you embrace the philosophy espoused by PACE EH but don’t have the ability to pull one together yet, this task can serve the valuable purpose of indicating which elements need to get organized before the agency can proceed (e.g. Board of Health support, or a meeting facilitator, etc.)

Key Points to Consider During Tasks 1–3:

• The PACE EH process requires continuous re-iteration.  Once the CEHA team is formed, divergent points of view may impact the will impact the mapping of the community.
• The facilitating agency is not solely responsible for the organization and implementation of the assessment. 
• Diversity on the community team is crucial for success.  Diversity promises a broad view of environmental health, broad problem solving skills, a wide network into the community, and a system of checks and balances throughout the process.
• The health official will have to make a decision between only facilitating the process or assuming responsibility for resulting action plans.  Also, must consider what is in it for them (i.e. improved footprint in the community, access to new networks, vanguard in protection of local environmental health).