As the Healthy Communities movement continues to grow around the world and across the county, local states have become increasingly important players in promoting local healthy communities initiatives. In Massachusetts, Healthy Communities Massachusetts (HCM) has launched an institute to support the efficacy of local community efforts. This panel will present four local healthy community initiatives working in diverse communities in Massachusetts that have created concrete community outcomes. Each coalition is multisectoral, defines health broadly and employs a collaborative problem solving process.
The Lower Outer Cape Coalition has increased dental access by developing a community dental center with local and state partners; and created a Cape wide health planning process. The North Quabbin Community Coalition has helped solve a key access problem regarding rural transportation and created a grassroots family and parenting education center. Partners for a Healthier Community, a Springfield Massachusetts based organization, has systematically worked to increase immunization and health care access through the coordinated use of community health outreach workers. The New Bedford Community Connections Coalitions has created a Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, grassroots neighborhood networks acting as a vehicle for municipal visioning, to assist the city in planning efforts.
Each of these coalitions will describe their work and their connection to the Healthy Communities Massachusetts Institute. One of the statewide coordinators of HCM will discuss future directions for the growth, evaluation and funding of healthy communities efforts within the state
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants in this session will be able to: 1. List ten principles of success for building effective community coalitions 2. List eight key components of a statewide support system for healthy community efforts 3. List four examples of successful healthy community efforts
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Community Building
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.