Use the Thrive Rural Framework to design and implement initiatives and programs focusing on priority issues and connecting to local and systems-level efforts in other areas to broaden and deepen rural prosperity. The framework can support alignment across priority issue areas and momentum in planning and strategy processes.
The resources below can help you design and implement your plan to advance rural prosperity for all in your region, role, or system.
ENGAGING LOCAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITIES
Engaging the community in design is required to achieve rural prosperity (From: Rural Development and Rural Health Practices “Creating processes and structures through which community members have a voice and influence in the programs and policies that impact their lives is widely regarded as key to developing more successful efforts to achieve health and well-being.”)
- The Planner’s Playbook — A community-centered approach to improving health and equity.
- The Community Toolkit — Participatory Approaches
- CDC Principles of Community Engagement
PRIORITIZING AREAS FOR ACTION
- Asset-based development for strategic action — Rural Development Hubs
- This approach focuses on generating and retaining a range of capitals within the community, reinvesting that wealth for future productivity, and improving the quality of life for community residents, rather than on viewing only growth and jobs as the primary measures of success … We call this asset-based, wealth-building and more encompassing approach “Doing Development Differently.”
- Rural Health Information Hub — Set Goals and Priorities
- The Community Toolkit — Developing and Using Criteria and Processes to Set Priorities
- Other tools:
- Public Health Ontario — Priority Setting Process Checklist
- Nine Questions — Strategy Planning
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Action Plan Worksheet
PARTNERING FOR PRODUCTIVE COLLABORATION
Collaboration is a shared theme in economic development and health fields (Rural Development and Rural Health Practices. See the “We the People” section of What (and Who) Counts?)
- Rural Health Information Hub — Identify and Engage Possible Partners
- The Community Toolkit — Increasing Participation and Membership
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps — Partnering with Residents
- With more than 500 potential partners for collaboration listed, Practical Playbook’s Find a Partnership tool may be a useful place to begin looking for connections.
- Effective Recruitment of Coalition Members helps you analyze “what’s in it for them?”
SHIFTING POWER TO CREATE CHANGE
- Thrive Rural Framework — Centering Race/Class/Place Equity
- Interactive Institute for Social Change — Leveraging Diversity and Building Power
- Community Organizing: People Power from the Grassroots
POLICY AND PRACTICE RESOURCES
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Action Center
- The Center on Rural Innovation — Community Toolkit
- What Works for Health
- Rural Health Information Hub
- The Community Toolkit