PPA provided facilitation and research services for a two-year planning grant to develop a comprehensive, cross-systems strategy to address food security and health in the 15-county Upper Peninsula (U.P.). The initial research phase of work was aimed at understanding both the context of the U.P. region and emergent food as medicine (FAM) innovations nationally. PPA also conducted an environmental scan; a review of national literature; and interviews with practitioners and key regional stakeholders. The research and facilitation resulted in the creation of active communities of practice in the Eastern, Central, and Western sections of the U.P., with clear FAM strategies and tactics developed for each. PPA provided a platform and structure for the communities of practice as they converted the visions and tactics from the planning grant into concrete plans for action, tailored FAM models to regional needs, and committed their organizations to lead and assist in the work. Over the course of the work, the project engaged 89 different stakeholders from 54 different organizations. The project culminated with the creation of a region-wide FAM Collaborative and funding for a Prescription for Health pilot program.
Services:
- Best practices review
- Facilitation
- Feasibility study
- Key informant interviews
- Literature review
- Strategic planning
- Technical assistance
- Community of practice