5230.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 5

Abstract #12384

How one Children's Hospital is working to create a healthier community for children

Cheri E. Fidler, MEd and Gene L. Nathan, MD. Center for Healthier Communities, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California, 3020 Children's Way, MC 5073, San Diego, CA 92123, 858-495-7748, cfidler@chsd.org

Children's Hospital and Health Center established the Center for Healthier Communities for Children (CHC)to expand their commitment to improving the health of all children in San Diego County. It is a unique community resource that systematically collaborates with all the sectors of the community to improve the health of children. We do this by: 1. Identifying/analyzing critical child health issues and effective intervention strategies. 2. Convening and stimulating organizations/invdividuals to act to improve child health and serving as strategic advisor for private and public service providers. 3. Launching strategically focused interventions. 4. Advocating and leveraging assets for increased private and public sector resources. 5. Linking providers with specific populations/resources. CHC's five priority areas are: (1) Promoting infant health; (2) Strengthening families; (3) Enhancing developmental potential of children ages zero to five; (4) Preventing childhood injury; and (5) Improving child oral health. CHC focuses on strategies emphasizing prevention, demonstrating long-term impact on child health outcomes, linking community partners, building on community strengths and leveraging resources. CHC has been instrumental in advancing over 50 initiatives with over 100 community partners. Seeded with a ten-year financial commitment from Children's Hospital, CHC has received a $5,000,000 endowment, has an annual oeprating budget of $1,000,000 and has raised over $500,000 for community projects. This poster session will display the scope of work, process of development and organization, and lessons learned in establishing priorities and working with community partners.

Learning Objectives: LWBAT describe four different actions to create improved health outcomes in a community. LWBAT describe two strategies to mobilize a collaborative group to combine resources and attain shared goals. LWBAT describe two strategies to acquire funds to improve health outcomes in a community. LWBAT identify two strategies for assessing community health issues

Keywords: Child Health, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA