Planners of the Fall River Mass In Motion project were among more than thirty representatives of a variety of government agencies and statewide organizations who were invited to participate in a discussion with Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach and Medical Director Lauren Smith on a proposed Community Transformation Grant on March 15, 2011. The grants would come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through funding provided by the Affordable Care Act's Public Health Trust Fund. Though final funding levels remain uncertain, many states are already undertaking preliminary steps to prepare a response should a Request for Proposals be issued. After explaining what is currently known about the elements of these grants, Commissioner Auerbach solicited ideas from the group about how the Commonwealth might best respond. A key element of this response is likely to build on the work of the fourteen Mass in Motion communities over the past two years. Both Fall River and New Bedford have been key participants in state-wide Mass in Motion efforts to create a healthier community through changes in policy, systems and environments. For more information about the Fall River Mass In Motion project coordinator Julie Kelly at 508-324-2405.  

(Top row)  Fall River Mass In Motion project coordinator Julianne Kelly joins over thirty participants in the Community Transformation Grant planning discussion with Commissioner Auerbach. (Middle row) Department of Education Nutrition, Health and Safety director Katie Millett, Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Scott Soares, and University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program Director Pat Bebo participate in the discussion with Commissioner Auerbach. (Bottom row, left) Playworks Boston executive director Max Fripp suggest some alternative approaches to getting people involved in healthy activity. (Department of Public Health medical director Lauren Smith, M.D., M.P.H., invites discussion on strategies that might address some of the grant requirements.