Present
Michael Coughlin, Lynda Sampson, Pat Fanning, Karen Scott Statser, Joan Gancarski,
Sue Sterrett, Bea Medeiros, Jeff Sypek,
Marcia Picard and Dr. David Weed
A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, February
14, 2003 at South Coast Hospital. Chairperson Karen Scott Statser called the
meeting to order at 8:45 AM.
Minutes
The minutes of the February 14, 2003 Steering Committee were circulated in
advance.
VOTED to approve the Minutes of the February 14, 2003 meeting of
Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.
Financial Report
Financial report for February 2003 was circulated.
VOTED to approve the Financial Report for February as presented.
REPORT OF WORK GROUPS
Budgets
We have received budgets from both Healthy Youth and Healthy Lifestyles. We
have not received a budget as of yet from Access to Health Care. It was decided
not to postpone budget approval at this time, as the committees would like to
begin planning for upcoming events. Motion to accept budgets as proposed by
Healthy Youth and Healthy Lifestyles was accepted. Access will submit their
budget next meeting for approval.
Access to Health Care
The group has currently broken up into two smaller groups. The first is
currently working on the barriers to healthcare survey. This will be translated
into other languages, especially targeting the Southeast Asian community. We
have heard that St. Anne’s and SSTAR may have applied for grant money to
conduct a similar survey. This will be verified and a possible collaboration
will be addressed. The second group is working on clean needle exchange and
awareness. Committee members have shown a renewed interest in these endeavors
and the groups are really coming together.
Healthy Lifestyles
The group is applying for the General Mills Grant with help from the City of
Fall River’s grant writer. There is another grant available regarding tobacco
use that may be applied for. At the last meeting, there was an empasioned
discussion regarding the school lunch menu. This issue has been visited before,
but did not go very far. Discussed possible fitness groups at middle schools.
The group will be collaborating with Healthy Youth in the areas of nutrition,
body image and eating disorders.
Healthy Youth
The Youth Summit is scheduled for May 17th. The group is currently
making plans for the poster contest. Future plans include summer activities,
youth mapping, and a logo contest for the Youth Summit. If anyone would like
further information on the Youth Summit or the logo contest, Christian McClosky,
Youth Coordinator should be contacted at Government Center.
Health City Initiative
The visioning session has been planned for February 27th. at the
Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center on Martin Street. Invitations
should be going on ASAP. We are going with White’s for catering at around
$7.50 per person. We also need to rent tables and chairs. It is hoped that about
150 people are expected to attend. It would be good to identify those from the
community who are not providers to attend (neighborhood groups, environmental
groups, etc.). This will be looked at as a kickoff to brainstorm and establish
an outline. We are in need of facilitators and/or timekeepers, if anyone is
interested in volunteering. It was suggested that we take out a newspaper
advertisement to market the event, but this is very costly and may not target
those we want to reach. It was proposed that a consultant be hired to make
personal phone calls to explain a little about what the goal of the Healthy City
Initiative is and to give a personal invitation. We should be able to obtain a
list from the Mayor’s Office of those who would be good targets to call. It
was proposed that $200.00 be allotted to hire someone to make phone calls, and
there is an excellent candidate who will be contacted to see if she is
interested in making the calls.
Regional Center for Healthy Communities
The Center has been affected by the recent cuts. Their parent program has
experienced 42 lay offs. The library in Brockton is currently closed. The
collection has been moved to the D.A’s office in New Bedford. Any borrowed
materials can be returned there and items can be borrowed in extreme
circumstances. Many other programs have been cut.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 am. The next meeting for the Partners for a
Healthier Community will be held on Friday, March 14, 2003 at the
Charlton site of Southcoast Hospitals Group, in the Jackson Conference Room.
