The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

Main menu

STAY CONNECTED

Community Health Needs Assessment

Every five years, the Oak Park Public Health Department is required by the Illinois Department of Public Health to conduct a community health needs assessment and use the results to create a plan, also known as the IPLAN, to maintain its status as a state certified local health department.

Click here for the most recent IPLAN, created in 2022. 

In 2022, the department conducted the assessment and created its current IPLAN using the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process, created by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Below are summaries of key elements of the 2022 IPLAN process.

The needs assessment and plan were developed in partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders in the wider public health system with the intent to identify priority public health areas for the Village, community and health systems to invest in over a five-year period. The core planning team included representatives from River Forest Township, Oak Park Township, the Oak Park Community Mental Health Board, the Park District of Oak Park, Rush University Medical Center, and the Oak Park Board of Health.

The 2022 MAPP process resulted in a plan with four key priority areas, with associated goals and strategies:

  • The Built and Natural Environment
    • Goal 1: Ensure a safe and hazard-free natural and built environment
    • Goal 2: Create a safe environment for walking, biking, and physical activity
  • Mental Health and Substance Use
    • Goal 1: Increase promotion and awareness of mental wellness and resiliency
    • Goal 2: Engage communities in prevention activities and connect to resources
    • Goal 3: Ensure access to an equitable continuum of care for mental health and substance use disorder services
  • Gun Safety
    • Goal 1: Increase public awareness about gun violence prevention as public health issue
    • Goal 2: Support survivors of trauma and others at risk of violence
    • Goal 3: Educate around policy and advocacy efforts
  • Access to Care
    • Goal 1: Ensure access to care at the right time, location, and setting for different populations
    • Goal 2: Connect community members to comprehensive care that addresses social determinants of health
    • Goal 3: Develop a trusted health care workforce that reflects the community

If you are interested in becoming involved in the implementation plan for any of the above areas, please reach out to the Health Department at health@oak-park.us or 708.358.5480.