Present:

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, December 8, 2006 at the Jackson Conference Room at Charlton Hospital in Fall River.  Chairperson Billie Jane Valente called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

Minutes

The minutes of the November 10, 2006 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the November 10, 2006 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Financial Report

VOTED to approve Financial Report as of November 2006.

Financial report is more thorough than past report; all receipts/expenses are well documented.

We have one more check that is outstanding from the Legislative Breakfast.  Then Marcia will be able to settle the account and bill New Bedford CHNA for their part.

Report of Work Groups

Access to Health Care

No report from this work group.  Last meeting was cancelled.

Healthy Lifestyles

Sue called BJ and apologized for not attending, but she is having minor surgery on her knee.

Meeting is scheduled for next week.

Healthy Youth

Meeting was yesterday.   Planning is going on for 3/30 for the Mayor’s Youth Conference.  Students identified as peer leaders will be trained to conduct breakout sessions for other students.  This is in its early planning stages and more information to come.  Change in venue to during the school day with the support of the principal at Durfee.

Transportation issues for the students to get to after hour events have always been an issue. The outreach workers for the city supported this as a primary issue of the young people they work with on the streets. It has been suggested that we have a group get together after the holiday to begin looking at what other cities do for transportation services.  Liability insurance is a concern though vehicles are available who would be responsible and manage and are there funds available anywhere for this service.

Linda Sampson announced there is going to be a statewide youth summit on May 12 and the state will be providing buses for all the communities.  Location has not been decided on yet. She will provide more information when it is available. 

Healthy City Initiative

Dave Weed is not in attendance.  Mike reported that “Healthy Dining” program was announced on November 16 and we hope it will continue to grow. Already several more restaurants have signed up since the press conference.

Healthy City had the second of five community forums focusing on environment and recreation.  Next forum is scheduled for the New Year and will focus on Health Education.  The last two will focus on Adult Basic Education, Job Training & Employment and Community Planning and Housing.

Announcements:

Guest Speaker – Brad Sell

Thanked the Partners for the Legislative Breakfast.  As a result there have been requests from the City of Fall River for screenings.

The New Bedford Mayor’s Crusade has implemented cancer screenings for city employees and it has been very successful.  Brad invited the Fall River Partners to start a crusade in our community.  He is looking for support to partner with someone or a group that has contact with the Mayor for his support. American Cancer Society will coordinate all this with Lisa Alves who is the Fall River contact person.  Mike C. suggested that Brad and Lisa contact himself or David Weed to further explore this relationship for the city of Fall River. It was supported by the group as a worthwhile endeavor for the citizens of the community.

A Cancer Awareness program is being planned to be held at White’s on 4/1/07.  More info to follow as it becomes available.

Partners for Clean Air – Sue Dickens reported they received a mini grant to start to look at interest and accessibility to smoke free multi-unit housing.  Any homeowner has the right to regulate that the home be smoke free when advertising and renting.

The purpose of the grant is to look into whether or not landlords are renting and requiring that the apartments be smoke free.  The end result is that there would be an assessment and list available of smoke free housing.

Partners for Clean Air – Planning Grant – 18-month grant for planning and capacity building for possible available funding possibly available in the future.  Meetings will take place @ PYCO (Now Seven Hills Foundation).  This is an opportunity for programs that are already working on tobacco program to identify areas that need further exploration or support.

Sue Dickens passed around calendars made from a poster contest for a non-smoking campaign. It was commented on that wouldn’t that be nice to do with our years of poster winners from the Healthy Youth Task Force.

Jenny Rulison United Neighbors of Fall River/ Community Connections– announced they recently sent hundreds of welcome baskets.  They have partnered with the Housing Authority and are handing out welcome baskets to new residents.

She is in need of brochures or information to add to the baskets.  For more information or questions please call Jenny at 5080-324-7933.

United Neighbors Foster Care Support Task Force - Foster Care recruitment public service announcement is in the works and should be done in January 2007.  It will air on FRED TV and BCC and other local radio stations.

Julie  Kelly - Diabetes Association – received a grant to implement at work sites an awareness campaign to do screenings and interventions with exercise and individual coaching.  Massachusetts is one of 5 states that were funded to provide this service and is moving forward with the Diabetes in the forefront of the implementation.

Denise Wright from SSTAR -Both health centers will be enrolling individuals for Commonwealth Care.  Undocumented individuals, 18 and under and those that have health insurance are not eligible.  Individuals have to sign up Commonwealth Care as part of mandate from the state.  SSTAR has 2 outreach workers that can go out to local agencies and help clients sign up for the insurance.

Please call Medicall for more info or to register for the Commonwealth Care. Phone number 508-324-7773 

Men’s Partnership -  Will be @ SSTAR on 12/23 for men over 18 without health insurance to do health screenings.  Jim praised SSTAR for the support and the assistance during the health screenings.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:35 AM

Next Meeting – January 12, 2007 at 8:30 AM

At the South Coast Hospitals Group – Charlton Site

Jackson Conference Room

Links to Minutes of Previous Meetings

minutes of 11-10-06

minutes of 10-13-06

minutes of 9-8-06

minutes 8-11-06

minutes 6-9-06

minutes 5-12-06

minutes 4-14-06

minutes 3-10-06

minutes 2-10-06

minutes 1-13-06

minutes 12-9-05

minutes 11-4-05

minutes 9-9-05

minutes 8-12-05

minutes 6-10-05

minutes 5-13-05

minutes 4-8-05

minutes 3-11-05

minutes 2-11-05

minutes 1-14-05

minutes 12-10-04

minutes 11-12-04

minutes10-8-04

minutes 9-10-04

minutes 8-13-04

minutes 5-14-04

minutes 4-9-04

minutes 3-12-04.html

minutes 2-13-04.html