The Way We Engage Shapes What We Build

The Community Planning Process is more than voting or leaving comments at a public hearing. It is an ongoing conversation between Tri-City and the community — rooted in trust, shaped by collaboration, and driven by the people the system is meant to serve.

Real engagement looks like tours, interviews, presentations, pop-ups, and many other ways of connecting. When we make space for these conversations, the plans and programs that follow reflect real-life expertise and priorities.

Engagement Is Not
One-Size-Fits-All

Every community brings different needs, expectations, and goals. Our invitations to engage are designed to match.

Who We Partner With

Every community group comes with different needs, history, and goals. We design how we engage to meet each one where they are.

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COMMUNITY MEMBERS

  • Individuals who are eligible for county behavioral health services, including youth, adults, and older adults with lived experience
  • Families and friends of individuals who are eligible for county behavioral health services

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PEOPLE REPRESENTING DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS

  • Representatives from historically marginalized communities
  • Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities
  • Veterans • Representatives from LGBTQIA+ communities
  • Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • People with lived experience of homelessness

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INSURERS

  • Disability insurers
  • Health care plans, including managed care plans (MCPs)

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

  • Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services
  • Emergency medical services
  • Continuums of care
  • Representatives from homeless service providers
  • Independent living centers
  • Tribal and Indian Health Programs
  • Agencies on aging

☀

ORGANIZATIONS

  • Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse communities for substance use disorders (SUD)/serious mental illness (SMI)/serious emotional disturbance (SED)
  • Health care organizations, including hospitals
  • Early childhood organizations
  • Youth organizations
  • County social services and child welfare agencies
  • Veterans organizations
  • Regional centers
  • Local education agencies
  • Higher education partners
  • Public safety partners, including county juvenile justice agencies
  • Managed care plans

Three Ways We Engage

Every engagement effort falls into one of three core modes. Each one has its place, and strong community work blends them together.

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Inform

Help people understand Tri-City's system of care

Equip community members, partners and providers with the resources and information to participate meaningfully.

Pop-Up Events · Social Media · Outreach · Education · Training

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Listen

Advocate for your community's needs

Create spaces for others to share needs, priorities and ideas to improve services and access to care.

Community Input Sessions · 1:1 Interviews · Immersive Visits · Tours

🤝

Collaborate

Work together to shape solutions.

Invite community members, partners, and providers to co-create ideas, make decisions, and design programs together.

Workshops · Surveys · Partner Meetings

Let’s Start the Conversation

Whether it’s a tour, an interview, a presentation, or a pop-up — reach out and we’ll find the best way to partner with your community.

Request a Presentation

Have a Question? Contact Paulina.

Paulina Ale
MHSA Program Coordinator – Innovation
pale@tricitymhs.org
(909) 326-4634