Partners for a Healthier Community

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the Jackson Conference Room at Charlton Hospital in Fall River. Chairperson BJ Valente called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

The minutes of the September 14, 2007 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the September 14, 2007 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

This group’s last presentation at a community supper was this month at Catholic Social Services.

Planning to collaborate with Healthy Lifestyles and will meet with Sue Sterrets’ group this month.

Sue Sterret – Unable to attend this meeting. Will meet with Paula Harrison and the Access to Healthcare Committee in November.

Healthy Youth

The first Wednesday of each month this group meets at 3:30 PM at CD Rec. This month Youth Build was in Mental Toughness Training and joined the meeting as part of this responsibility and CFC Peer Leadership Group also attended the meeting so it was a large group this month. The kids gave great input.

A Membership Drive is underway. The plan is over the next month those involved in America’s Promise and grant recipients will be approached to join Healthy Youth. This group will then act as an Advisory group for grant participants and avoid duplication of meetings.

For Youth Build this Saturday night. Partners bought 5 tickets and gave them to Terry Moran to give out to underprivileged youth to attend.

Healthy Youth and the Youth Service Office from the City of Fall River are sponsoring a “Red Wagon Competition” on October 27 which is “Make a Difference Day” (Entry form is attached)

The push is on Volunteerism and everyone organizing an event is encouraged to take pictures so they can be posted on the “Aspire Board” located in Government Center lobby.

Speaking of Volunteers – Kelly Nevins, from BMC Healthnet, informed the group to visit the national web site volunteersolutions.org. This web site is driven by local agencies and you can post your volunteer needs on this web site. You can enter your zip code to get local information.

Expecting to receive one more micro grant application that was submitted on time but lost. Will review when received. Other than that all grants have been awarded and checks have been mailed.

Maureen spoke about Weed & Seed program. Targeting “Corky Row” and “Maplewood” and “ East Main Street’ neighborhoods for violence prevention. They were asked to re-assess the plan to spend some of this year’s monies and plan for another year of funding.

There is potential to convert a building in Corky Row to a community center. Will work with community organizations that already have programs in place, no need to re-invent the wheel. Could eventually take this model to other neighborhoods in Fall River.

DPH grants – 3 large grants available – Workplace, Community and Schools. Would encompass almost 5 years of funding (the rest of 2007, then 2 more 2-year grants). Will hear by November 1.

Another grant due in mid November to address substance abuse issues. Focus on creating media pieces to raise parent/child awareness of preventing drug abuse in the city.

Joan mentioned at this time that in the near future there will be a Grants and Development Office at DPH in the central office location. It is now in the works. One of the objectives is to actually support groups and individuals to correctly write the grants.

The walk-to-school event happened as scheduled last week as part of International Walk-to-School Day, at the Lincoln, Carroll and Sts. Peter and Paul Schools. Some parents met and parked in the Brooks parking lot on President Avenue and the kids walked to school from there. The liability issue was overcome by obtaining written parental permission.

March 19, 2008 - The hospitals are working on a conference for this date “Promoting Practitioner Prevention Concept”. The focus is to provide practitioners with more health-involved resources to connect their patients with. Would be a good idea to encourage UMass Medical School to present at the conference.

David went to one of Georgio’s Steak House cooking classes “Cooking with the Master”. He highly recommends it.

October 30 – at St. Anne’s School 7-8PM there will be a “debate” of sorts, sponsored by United Interfaith Council. The intention of this one-hour question and answer session is to give the mayoral candidates a structured environment in which to respond to scripted questions. They have 2 minutes to answer each question with the intention of seriously making a commitment to the residents of Fall River.

November 14 – After the election - Place: Bank Street Armory from 3-6PM. The new mayor-elect will be invited to attend a “Trade Faire”. “Trade” in this instance means trading ideas and collaborating with agencies and programs who are making a commitment to making Fall River a great city in which to live and work. WSAR will be broadcasting from the armory.

SAVE THE DATE !

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

White’s of Westport

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2007

8:00 – 11:00 AM

‘PEOPLE CHANGING COMMUNITIES”

BJ announced that plans for this annual event are definitely off and running! Great registration numbers so far! Keep them coming! Looking forward to a great turnout to listen to our Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. JudyAnn Bigby! It’s an honor to have her attend.

The Committee is in the midst of the voting process for this year’s honorees. There will be 3 selected from New Bedford and 3 from Fall River.

An additional one time only “Life Time Achievement” Award to honor Brad Sell will be on the agenda this year also. This will be chosen by New Bedford.

Guest at this morning’s meeting, Kelly Nevins, from BMCHealthnet, gave a brief rundown of her objectives, which is to network with non-profits and government agencies to become active participants to address serious issues that affect those insured by BMCH. She is heading a committee to reach out into the southcoast community. Her associate, Linda Rebelo, was also at the meeting.

Judith and Paula commented on how Kelly has already been very influential in helping people understand insurance issues, some of whom have never had health insurance before.

Kelly encourages anyone to contact her at: 508-990-2439 or Email: Kelly.nevins@bmchp.org.

Health First is having a “fun-raiser” sponsored by Webster Bank October 17 at 7:00PM “The Best Medicine”.

Tickets are $25.00 and will be held at BCC Arts Center. Call Paula Harrison for more information and see attached letter.

Judith Coykendall announced that STEP and TWIST are having an Open House today. Noon – 3:30 PM.

Also announced that an amendment has been sent to the state legislature banning the sale of drug paraphernalia. It is expected to pass. Was previously going to be considered as just a “City” ordinance.

Joan talked about the Department of Agricultural Resources. Scott Soares is currently the acting commissioner, but could quite possibly become the commissioner. He is from the Southcoast area. Applications for Innovation grants are currently being accepted and due by November 9. These grants could be very helpful to small local area farms and even the Farmer’s Markets could benefit from some of these grant funds. WIC coupons are accepted for fresh produce at these Farmer’s Markets.

BJ Valente	Paula Harrison	Frances Fuller
Mike Coughlin	Maureen Estes Ryan	Pat Bebo
David Weed	Pat Fanning	Joan Gancarski
Marcia Picard	Bea Medeiros	Judith Coykendall
Maureen Holliday	Marie Chase	Linda Rebelo
Kelly Nevins


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