Partners for a Healthier Community

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, February 9, 2007 at the Jackson Conference Room at Charlton Hospital in Fall River. Vice Chairperson Mike Coughlin called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM due to Billie Jane being on vacation.

The minutes of the January 12, 2007 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the January 12, 2007 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Two financial reports were circulated; one for regular business conducted and the other for the Mini Grants.

Marcia noted that she found a discrepancy in the reconciliation record from past activity. It was $500.00 to the good. She called BJ Valente and it was decided that since it was to the good she would not spend hours back tracking old records to find the error.

Paula reported positive results from visiting the community supper at Salvation Army. Representatives from SSTAR, Health First and the Diabetes Association met one-on-one with participants. They are getting the message out to the community on how to access health care.

Sue Sterrett reported that the meeting was cancelled for this month due to conflict in her schedule. They look forward to the next publication of the HillTop at Durfee High School which will focus of Healthy Lifestyles and will continue to focus on the tobacco program.

Mike added that he has spoken recently with Brad Sell who wants to integrate projects with Partners in regard to the American Cancer Society and cancer awareness. Fran Fuller and Sue Sterrett will get together and brain storm.

Healthy Youth

Jamison reports that they received a $500.00 grant by the name of “Mix it Up” to use for transportation for students to various schools.

The focus has been working towards the March 30 Youth Forum and America’s Promise. There is a meeting scheduled for March 23 at Durfee from 8AM to 2 PM to talk about recruiting “Ambassadors” from all schools and train them to do their own presentation to their peers.

They have applied for a fellowship grant but they need money up front because whatever money they can raise, that amount of money will be matched through this grant. Kerry Mello spoke right up to say that South Coast Hospital Group will offer financial support for this purpose !! Each year money is given to the NB Youth Summit so she felt there would be no problem with the hospitals supporting Fall River as well.

Poster Contest – Annual event – the theme this year is “America’s Promise”. The artists will be adding a caption to their posters.

January was National Mentor Month and the Mayor designated January 26 as Mentor Day. There was a press conference which included representation from Smiles, LIFT, Big Friends Little Friends and Youth Build.

Mentors are needed. There is a meeting scheduled on February 12 at 4:30 PM, on the 3^rd floor of CD Rec.

Fitness Center is going very well. Family Service Association has purchased 5 cards for staff there to share over the next 14 weeks.

Also, the personal trainer is now set up permanently at the CD Rec Fitness Center.

David Weed talked about the upcoming fourth Community Forum on February 28 focusing on Adult Education and Employment.

Healthy Dining project is in full swing. Check out the Charlton Hospital Cafeteria where they now offer a greater amount of healthy food alternatives!

Walking Initiative - Project is well under way – Kick off event on Monday May 7 at Noon at the Fall River YMCA. Hand out given. Information is on the web site. Looking for sponsor support. Sponsors names will be printed on the tee shirts.

EPA Grants: Maureen and Jane talked about how the Fall River Police Dept sent info to them about how Met Life is accepting applications for award money ($10,000. - $25,000. is available). Will be submitting proposals on the topic of how efforts of community organizations working with police departments have resulted in revitalization of neighborhoods. Proposals are due February 23. If the proposals are accepted then Jane has identified some strategies to submit:

Spring Celebration at Heritage Park - The premiere of the much-anticipated video!

April 13, David, Mike and Odete are off to San Miguel then to Madeira for a conference with Government Officials to exchange information hoping to cultivate a Sister Healthy City relationship there.

#6 agenda item: Statistic reporting - Joan picked up this topic with Mike reporting that DPH data will be compiled this year and will separate New Bedford stats from Fall River. A suggestion was made to check out the Mass Chip web site because the data is there and is always being updated. Perhaps it could be downloaded and placed on the Partners web site? Further research is needed.

#7 agenda item: Kerry Mello and Commonwealth Care Medical Insurance. She introduced Cindy Francis who heads the Patient Financial Resources Department for Southcoast. Cindy went on to say that there is currently open enrollment for this statewide insurance. People eligible are those whose income is less than 300 percent of the poverty level. Staff in her department is helping the many callers who need to apply. They are helping with the forms and the follow up work that results. The task of getting the word out is tremendous. There is a July 1, 2007 deadline for people to choose an insurance. However it is felt that this date is not realistic. Coordination of efforts within the community would be extremely helpful, especially in the schools, and health organizations such as Health First and SSTAR. Paula Harrison noted that Health First has been very active in getting their own patients enrolled. Paula and Denise Wright promised future support in reaching out to their participants to educate them about enrolling.

Kerry and Cindy were invited back to a future Partners meeting to report on how this initiative is working out.

Mike at this time took a moment to congratulate both Paula and Denise and their two organizations on how well they have been working together.

CD Rec will sponsor an after school educational series for 8 – 12 year olds Monday through Thursday for the next 8 weeks.

Paula announced also that Health First is expanding their hours to include weekends. They are now also open Saturday 8:30 – 3:30 as well as Sunday 10 – 4. The Boston Globe will be visiting them and doing a story on the fact that they are the first and only community health care center in the state open on Sundays. The story will also be on Boston television stations.

BES has received money from the state to provide enhanced services for the residents of the Doolan Apartment complex. Now a PCA will be on site and other services will be offered to make the complex more assisted-living like.

Paula announced that a play is being offered at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport, R.I. on March 25.

The name of it is “Chemo Brain” and the cast consists of cancer survivors. Should prove to be very entertaining.

The Diabetes Association Program of Prevention Across Generations is being re-funded for another 2 years. Awarded $100,000.00 to continue their efforts especially in schools.

If you need to contact any member of the steering committee or the work groups, visit the web site @

www.gfrpartners.com click on “about us” and the “steering committee”- All members’ names and Email addresses are listed.

Mike Coughlin	Julianne Kelly	Sue Sterrett
Marcia Picard	Maureen Estes Ryan	Joan Gancarski
David Weed	Pat Bebo	Frances Fuller
Marie Chase	Paula Harrison	Jamison Souza
Pat Fanning	Jenny Rulison	Denise Wright
Katy Dutille dos Santos		Kerry Mello
Roger Dextradeur	Jane DiBiasio	Cindy Francis


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