What To Do

Now that you have stated the problem, you will need to write another statement that indicates that the problem is similar to the goals and objectives of your organization.

How To Do It

Consider that from your program's point of view addressing the program:

• gives good reason for spending time, money, and other resources on the problem
  
• highlights social and political issues that support or oppose your decision to address the problem
  
• identifies the ability of your agency
  
• involves community members in figuring out their problems and main focus

In your relevance statement, you may want address the answers to the following questions:

• Does your organization have the authority to act?
  
  
• Is there agreement within your organization to act?
  
  
• Do the goals of your program include this problem?
  
  
• Is this problem a main concern of your organization?
  
  
• Is the public for or against efforts to solve the problem?
  
  
• Is the problem important enough to give good reason for using limited resources or finding more money?
  
  
• Is there a need for more advocacy within your agency and/or within other groups to educate group members on the importance of the health problem?
  

The following resources may help you determine the importance of the problem to your program:

• Public health legislation/CDC recommendations
• Your agency's plans for the future
• Your agency's leaders
• Federal and state government statistical reports and data bases
• Federal, state, and local government legislation, regulations, and executive orders
• Federal, state, and local government budgets and policy statements

Another resource is the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH). This planning activity guides you in assessing your organization's resources and regulatory readiness to address the problem (http://aepo-xdv-www.epo.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000089/p0000089.asp).

In the end, you may decide that you need to do more advocacy in your agency and/or within other groups to create more attention to the health problem you want to address.