Public Health + Community Networks
December 18, 2020
Rollins School of Public Health: Public Health+
Dr. Garstka has worked with a cross-disciplinary team that engages in multiple sectors such as early childhood care, maternal and child health, and positive youth development. They work to make service systems within these various sectors more responsive and accessible to children and families. While it might sound simple, it’s rather a difficult task. In Teri’s words, her team works on “complex problems without clear solutions.” One tool that blossomed in response to this space is the IRIS referral software and service system. It was the answer to the singular problem of gaps in community health communication. It works by creating a bridge to allow health and social services to refer individuals and families to needed social determinants of health resources. It’s implemented in more than 40 communities and has evolved to strengthen community collaboration in general and build networks. Key in the development of IRIS was the team’s knowledge that “just providing a technical solution, a tool, is not the answer.” Working with communities to provide implementation support, building collaboration across systems, and facilitating conversations among partners regarding accountability is integral to establishing a connected community.
