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Community Outreach & Engagement Strategies

Why Outreach & Engagement Matter

This mini-toolkit explores the differences between community outreach and engagement, as well as the approaches that coalitions and community groups can utilize to increase community participation.

What You’ll Learn

In this mini-toolkit you’ll learn how to:

  • Know when outreach alone is effective, and when engagement is needed

  • Match your strategy to your community’s readiness

  • Build trust before asking for action

  • Use practical worksheets to plan your next community outreach & engagement effort

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Nothing about us without us! When communities are engaged in health initiatives, we see the most positive outcomes (NIH).

Key Takeaways

Community Outreach

  • Share information

  • Raise awareness

  • One-way communication

Community Engagement Continuum

  • Builds relationships

  • Shares decision-making

  • Leads to sustainable change

Trust Grows Over Time

  • Build credibility

  • Be consistent

  • Connect with the communities you serve

Community Outreach & Engagement Resources 

Watch the training video and download the worksheet and example resources.

Watch the Entire Training Video

Click here to watch the full video
(estimated viewing time: 60 minutes)
or click below to watch a specific section of interest.

▶︎ watch now

Quick Start: Small Steps, Big Impact

Watch focused videos to hone your skills in outreach and engagement.

Outreach vs Engagement

13 MINUTES

Learn the difference between sharing information and creating shared ownership. Discover when each is appropriate. 

Community Engagement Continuum

24 MINUTES

Explore the five levels of engagement, from informing people to empowering communities to change. 

Check Your Knowledge

3 MINUTES

Pause and test what you’ve learned with a quick self-assessment before moving on.

Trust-Building

17 MINUTES

Learn practical ways to build credibility, relationships, and long-term partnerships that support lasting community change.

Download Handouts

Put your new skills into practice by using our template and use our examples to guide your work.

Mapping Populations to Outreach & Engagement Strategies Worksheet

Use this tool to identify who to reach and how best to connect.

download NOW

Mapping Populations - Example 1

See an example of using the mapping tool to build capacity within the Faith-based Organizations sector.

download NOW

Mapping Populations - Example 2

See an example of using the mapping tool to address vaping at a high school.

download NOW

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The Center for Community Engagement is funded in full or in part through a State Opioid Response Grant (TI085769) to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

© 2024-26 Center for Community Engagement at Chestnut Health Systems, Inc. CCE and the above logo are trademarks of Chestnut Health Systems, Inc. and must appear on any copy of any content you print or capture from the website. The Content may not be modified and may not be sold commercially. All Rights Reserved.