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During the recent Community Health Interactive
over 100 people representing diverse interests throughout the
county generated an inventory of ideas on how Sarasota County
can become a healthy community along with a list of resources
that are in place or could be aligned through collaborations to
transform these ideas into action. “Action forums” will begin
next month. The goal is to enable people to reconnect, continue
the conversations and develop action-oriented strategies around
the seven themes identified at the Interactive to create a
healthier Sarasota County. Some of the themes include making
communities more pedestrian-friendly and increasing walkability,
increasing farmers' markets and local foods, and promoting
health and wellness in schools. There
are many active groups in Sarasota County working on similar
issues with common goals to improve health in our community.
“When groups collaborate, that work has the potential to make a
greater impact, while being more innovative, and more responsive
to the needs of the community,” said Kari Ellingstad, MPH,
research coordinator with the Community Health Improvement
Partnership who has continued to work with sponsors and
community leaders on this project.
To promote collaboration, mini grants totaling
$6,000 were recently awarded to eight local projects. Click here
to learn about the pizza garden, the healthcare access expo, and
the other projects receiving funding. This mini-grant program as
well as The Community Health Collaborative was supported by the
Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast
Community Foundation of Venice.
Other organizations supporting the effort
include The Community Alliance of Sarasota County, the Sarasota
County Health Department, The Community Health Improvement
Partnership (CHIP) Sarasota County Wellness Coalition, Sarasota
Memorial Hospital, SCOPE, the South County Family YMCA and the
University of South Florida College of Public Health.
The Community Health Improvement Partnership
(CHIP) is a community-led effort to improve the health of
Sarasota County residents. CHIP also works with Charlotte and
DeSoto counties to foster change in health systems across the
region. CHIP is funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of
Venice, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the
Sarasota County Health Department, Sarasota County Government,
Doctors Hospital, DeSoto County Health Department, DeSoto
Memorial Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Venice
Regional Medical Center, Peace River Regional Medical Center,
Fawcett Memorial Hospital, and Englewood Community Hospital and
Charlotte Regional Medical Center.
For more information, call Kari Ellingstad,
MPH, at 941-861-2867 or visit the CHIP Web site at
www.CHIP4health.org
Seven “Action Forums” – Meeting Schedule
Make communities more pedestrian-friendly and increase
walkability
Wednesday, July 16
8:30 a.m. to noon
School Board of Sarasota County
1960 Landings Blvd., Room 221 (blue awning),
Sarasota 34231
8:30 a.m. - Presentation: "Smart Growth and
Walkability"
10:30 a.m. - Action planning process
Educate the community about existing health
resources
Monday, Aug.18
9 to 11 a.m.
Institute for Advanced Medicine
5880 Rand Blvd., (classroom)
Sarasota 34238
Promote health and wellness in schools
Monday, Sept. 15
9 to 11 a.m.
Institute for Advanced Medicine
5880 Rand Blvd. (classroom)
Sarasota34238
Increase farmers' markets and local foods
Monday, Oct.20
9 to 11 a.m.
Institute for Advanced Medicine
5880 Rand Blvd. (classroom)
Sarasota 34238
Organize wellness activities in communities
Monday, Nov. 17
9 to 11 a.m.
Institute for Advanced Medicine
5880 Rand Blvd. (classroom)
Sarasota34238
Expand transportation services
Monday, Jan. 21, 2009
9 to 11 a.m.
Institute for Advanced Medicine
5880 Rand Blvd. (classroom)
Sarasota 34238
Expand mental health services: To Be Announced
Contact
Pam Meunier for details. |
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