Partners for a Healthier Community


In 1995, Charlton Hospital contracted with a national consulting group to conduct a comprehensive community health needs assessment on behalf of Partners. Partners then organized a day-long vision workshop to prioritize community needs based on the results of this survey. With these results, Partners formed three ongoing health improvement task forces or Work Groups to address cardio-vascular disease, substance abuse, and access to health care. Since that time, work groups have been modified to include a broader range of issues. In addition, a number of mini-grants have been awarded to a number of local groups and agencies to address specific concerns. Click on the Work Group name for more information about meetings and current group goals.
Healthy Youth Task Force
The focus of the Healthy Youth Task Force is on all issues that affect youth, including youth substance abuse and violence prevention and any intervention involved in preventing youth risk behaviors. This work group works closely with school systems to ensure an integration between school-based and over thirty community programs. Community Goal: To reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and violence among youth between the ages of 12-17 in the Greater Fall River area. Mini-grant Projects: Teen Leadership Video (Fire City Pictures) and the Young Parent Speakers Program (Family Planning/CFC) Co-Coordinators: Christian McCloskey and Jamison Souza. Meeting Time: First Wednesday of the month (except July and August), at 3:30 p.m. at CD-REC, 72 Bank Street (see calendar for schedule of meetings)
Healthy Lifestyles Work Group
The Healthy Lifestyles work group is a community driven action group welcoming representation from local community activists, community based civic group organizations, local health and human services, the educational community, local boards of health, and volunteers of all ages who come together to change community norms around healthy risk factors for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Further, we seek to promote positive change with the institutions in our community that influence healthy lifestyles. The Healthy Lifestyles Work Group strives to be representative of the diverse populations within the communities of Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. Community Goal: To promote healthy food choices and eating behaviors, encourage the adoption of active life-long fitness goals, and educate the population as to the dangers of tobacco use. Mini-grant Projects: Mom , Dad and Me (Somerset Recreation), A Healthier Pantry (FR DSS Area Advisory Board), and The Neighborhood Fitness Center (CD Recreation) Meeting Time: Second Thursday of the month, at 3:30 p.m. at the Durfee High School Student Services Center, 360 Elsbree Street, Fall River. (see calendar for schedule of meetings).
Access to Health Care Work Group
The Access to Health Care task force is a subcommittee of the Partners for a Healthier Community. The goal of this Work Group is to promote the health and wellness of the community through voluntary, collaborative participation of health and human service providers with the goal of linking under served community members in Greater Fall River and to increase access to health education, primary care health screenings and referral services. Community Goals To increase the number of community members who have access to health care services. Coordinator: Paula Harrison chairs the workgroup. Mini-grant Projects: Smoke Free Home Campaign (PYCO/ Partners for Clean Air), Healthy Eating Course (People Inc.) Meeting Time: 3:00 p.m. on the 1st Monday of every month at HealthFirst Family Care Center, 102 County Street, Fall River.
All meetings are open to anyone who lives or works in the Fall River, Somerset, Swansea or Westport areas.


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