Phases of Community Engagement

At a glance

ATSDR’s Phases of Community Engagement provide a simple, practical framework for organizing community engagement activities throughout the course of a typical site-based environmental public health effort.
A family posing for a photo in front of their home.

Phases of Community Engagement

Phase I: Setting the Stage

Phase I: Setting the Stage
How can ATSDR address community member concerns?
Keep Reading Phase I: Setting the Stage

Phase II: Getting Started

Phase II: Getting Started
How can ATSDR establish trust and credibility with the community?
Keep Reading Phase II: Getting Started

Phase III: Keeping it Going

Phase III: Keeping it Going
How will ATSDR follow through on commitments in the community?
Keep Reading Phase III: Keeping It Going

Phase IV: Wrapping Up

Phase IV: Wrapping Up
How will ATSDR share its findings and empower the community?
Keep Reading Phase IV: Wrapping Up

For each phase we will provide:

  1. An Overview section,
  2. An Ask Yourself section, (with questions to consider when entering a community)
  3. A Keep in Mind section, (to remind you of important considerations)
  4. A Community Engagement Activities section, (to consider based on the community's needs)

It is important to note that some activities sit squarely in a specific phase. However, others are cross-cutting and will apply throughout your involvement with a community. Many activities will happen in parallel, making it critical to maintain good communication across allies and efforts.

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Content Source:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry