Commonly Used Terms
We recognize that numerous terms and phrases are used, particularly in our grant language, that you may not be familiar with or may have a different interpretation of than we do. In order to provide clarity to our words, we’ve provided definitions or explanations. Many are adopted from organizations we find to be credible sources in philanthropy and their areas of expertise.
Is a term missing that we have used, and you aren’t sure what we mean? Please email us as info@cfmv.org.
Community Health Assessment (CHA):
A state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessment that identifies key health needs and issues through systematic, comprehensive data collection and analysis. [Adopted from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention]
Currently, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties work together to complete this assessment every 3 years with lead partners including Mercy Health Foundation, Trumbull County Combined Health District, Mahoning County Public Health, Warren City Health District. Youngstown City Health District, Healthy Community Partnership- Mahoning Valley, Mahoning County Mental Health And Recovery Board and Trumbull County Mental Health And Recovery Board.
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP):
A long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems based on the results of community health assessment activities and the community health improvement process. [Adopted from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention]
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT):
Community-based programs that bring together law enforcement, mental health professionals, advocates, people living with mental illness and their families, and other partners to improve community responses to people experiencing mental health crises. (Adopted from CIT International)
Culturally congruent:
Acts or decisions that are tailor made to fit with individual, group, or institutional cultural values, beliefs, and lifeways in order to provide or support meaningful, beneficial, and satisfying health care or well-being services (Adopted from Culture Care Diversity and Universality: A Theory of Nursing written by Madeleine M. Leininger)
Evidence-based practices:
Approaches proven to be effective through research and evidence rather than just informal or unscientific experience
Greenspace:
An area of grass, trees, or other vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment.
Health:
The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. [Adopted from the World Health Organization]
Health equity:
Everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care. [Adopted from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]
Healthy Community Partnership (HCP):
A collaboration of organizations and individuals who share a commitment to a healthier Mahoning Valley. HCP works to create more equitable opportunities for residents to eat healthier and be more active, as well as encourage and support residents to make those choices. More information here: www.hcpmahoningvalley.com
Policy, systems and environments (PSE) change:
A way of modifying the environment to make healthy choices practical and available to all community members by changing laws and shaping physical landscapes. (Adopted from PLAN4Health)
Qualitative data:
Describes qualities or characteristics. It is collected using questionnaires, interviews, or observation, and frequently appears in narrative form.
Quantitative data:
Describes information that can be counted or compared on a numeric scale. It is usually collected using instruments such as questionnaires that use a rating or ranking scale.
Racial equity:
A reality in which a person is no more or less likely to experience society’s benefits or burdens just because of the color of their skin. [Adopted from the Aspen Institute]
Social vulnerability index:
A rating used by the Center for Disease Control and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to indicate the level of social vulnerability, or the potential negative effects on communities caused by external stresses on human health.
Structures:
The major institutions surrounding a person, such as family, religion, education, media, law, politics, and economy.
Systems:
The complex forces and interactions that exist in structural institutions. Can be seen as the "way things operate", and often result in an imbalance of power and resources.
Community champions:
Members of a community that help raise awareness and support for an issue or project
Leverage:
Leveraging a grant is when approved funding helps secure additional commitments from other sources
Disparity:
A noticeable and usually significant difference or dissimilarity. We often refer to disparities existing among groups of people, based on factors such as gender, race, income, etc.