Partners for a Healthier Community


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Minutes for the Meeting of October 10, 2008

Present:

BJ Valente	Roger Dextradeur	Sue Sterrett
David Weed	Joan Gancarski	Marie Chase
Marcia Picard	Gladys Rosofsky	Karen Scott Statser
Jamison Souza	Bea Medeiros	Kelly Nevins
Marilyn Edge	Robin Jones	Pat Bebo
Jenna Lagasse	Fran Fuller	Paula Harrison

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, October 10, 2008 in Jackson Room at Charlton Hospital in Fall River. BJ Valente called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

The meeting began with greetings to new and continuing members . Introductions made by all. It was suggested by Fran Fuller that we have table top name placecards. She brought all the supplies for that to begin today. She will take responsibility for them being at each meeting and extras for new attendees.

The slate of nominated officers was presented to the voting body of Partners. The following persons were voted into office for the 2008-2010 term.

Chairperson : Billie Jane Valente

Vice Chairperson : Roger Dextradeur

Secretary: Jamison Souza

Treasurer :Marcia Picard

Committee/Work Groups

Access to Health Care : Paula Harrison

Healthy Youth Task Force: Jamison Souza and Christian McCloskey

Healthy Lifestyle: Sue Sterrett

Healthy City Initiative :David Weed

Minutes

The minutes of the September 2008 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the September 2008 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Financial Report

Financial Report was circulated at the meeting.

VOTED to approve Financial Report through October 9,2008

Report of Work Groups

Access to Health Care

The group has chosen to address the issue of homeless population in the Greater Fall River Area. Pastor John has joined the group and will help in narrowing the need that we can help . There will be a learning curve for those that will be in direct contact with the homeless Some discussion of deciding who the “truly” homeless are

And how with funds we can assist in some of the needs. One of the discussions included getting vouchers for the farmer’s market if the group chooses some means of getting needed protein like nuts and peanut butter that can be transported and doesn’t spoil they will submit a budget to the group for approval. Suggestions were made to contact the school department for up dated information on children in the school system that are homeless.

Continued discussion of purchasing the Inequity tapes. We will follow up on getting them so they can get out into circulation.

Paula let others know that Seven Hills has information and Materials for a campaign called ASK ME 3 these are three questions any one should always ask their doctor.

Healthy Lifestyles –– no report today though it was brought up again that this group may team up with another group and choose an initiative for this year.

Healthy Youth -

A survey by Jenny Rulison at United Neighbors has once again revealed that transportation for students is a high priority. Team Fresh and TADA will be following up on this with head counts on who is taking buses where and when.

The Youth Summit will not be happening as previously announced. An action plan meeting will take place with the leadership group to best plan for where do they go next. They have received money to develop their web page just for youth all about information on things from shopping to health care from other youth.Planning on teaming up with MY FALLL RIVER plans.

The increase and renewal of Youth Violence Prevention money will allow for a part time coordinator at Morton and Henry Lord working afterschool and presenting some of the ALL STAR Program with Teen Fresh youth.

Jamison reported that the group that was able to attend the National 100 Best Communities for Youth Convention were able to meet with local representatives. Emphasizing that the idea of focusing on prevention to lower the drop out rate. It was an experience for all and a beginning of contacts for the group to make change in Fall River.

November is Red Wagon Month. The competition again this year will emphasize the opportunity to serve.

Marcia Picard is now involved in “Children in Balance” and reported about activities she attended at the Doran School. There were 80+ kids attending the scheduled activities all summer long, which was funded by Travelers Insurance. Last week certificates of achievement were given out to all the kids and the kids were quite honored to receive them. Marcia was very impressed with how happy the kids seemed to be as well as the teachers and adults that were there. They all seemed to be very pleased with what was going on around them.

Healthy City Initiative

The fitness Challenge is being planned for this January starting on January 10,2009. The plan is for a Health Fair on this day while everyone is signing up for the challenge. The group is looking for donations for raffle prizes and awards. Looking for previous groups to join before and encourage others. Discussion that not only weight will be measured this year but a person’s BMI waist circumference, blood pressure, and cholesterol . Having people journal these changes and awarding to those that lower the measurements and not just weight loss.

**Healthy City Fall River has just been notified that they will receive the Commissioner’s Award at the Ounce of Prevention Conference on October 21, 2008.

**Community Gardens are coming along. There will be gardens at St. Luke’s, Dolan Apts, BCC, Church of Asension so far. Soil test will be discussed at a presentation by Derek at the Fall River library. Soli testing can be tested for a sample for 9.00 at the U Mass Amherst web site.

MYFALL RIVER.org

The page is being developed. Group is looking for agencies, for profit and government to get on board for 200.00 they will be first on first page, and paid through 2010. Looking forward to BETA testing Nov – Dec and launching in January.

CIB –producing booklets for 1-3 rd graders and many afterschool programs getting on board with the curriculum. Tufts is looking for input on the curriculum and willing to take suggestions from the educators. which is already happening .

Walking routes in the city will be getting their footsteps. On the 22^nd the first will be painted.

Maplewood Senior enter increased attendance at a congregate hot lunch.

MASS CALL II – Jenna reports that the assessment of the community is being implemented and evaluated. All this needs to be done by the end of October. All to choose a prevention strategy to educate all to lower the fatal or non fatal overdose numbers in the area . Saving Lives to get persons in Treatment A resource book for treatment locations developed by BOLD is available from them and at ADCARE.

Brown University has been awarded the grant to follow children in Bristol County from prenatal to alter age. They will be looking for pregnant women for surveys a that will include information from us at different agencies that provide services to pregnant women.

DPH is having their open house at 1736 Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

Announcements:

Look forward to seeing all of you at the Legislative Breakfast.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 am

Next Meeting – November 14, 2008

Southcoast Hospitals – Charlton Site

MEETING IN THE JACKSON CONFERENCE ROOM

Links to Minutes of Previous Meetings