January 2006
In this Issue...
Measuring the Health of the Community
Community Forum: Tyler Norris Visits Sarasota County
Health Provocateur Project Engages CEOs, Administrators
Research Underway: The LOVN Care Team Diabetes Project
LOVN Care Team Television Debut
Grant Received to Open CHIP Information Centers
Community Solutions to the Challenge of the Uninsured
Step Up, Florida! -- On Our Way to Healthy Living
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The
Community Health Improvement
Partnership, or CHIP, was created in 2002 to identify the most critical health needs in South Sarasota and Charlotte Counties and engage area residents in developing community-based solutions to meet those needs.
CHIP = Community Health Improvement Partnership
CHAT = Community Health Action Team (CHIP has 3!)
LOVN = Laurel/Osprey/Venice/Nokomis
The Health Systems Collaboration Committee of the CHIP Leadership Council is preparing to roll-out the new CHIP Health Scorecard, designed to guide and monitor efforts to improve health in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Under the leadership of Dr. Loring Wood, the committee reviewed many state and national tools to create its own scorecard with 33 indicators in 8 different categories of the social and physical environments, health care, health behavior, and well-being. The Scorecard will interface with the Sarasota County Balanced Scorecard and the Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) Policy Framework, and will reflect the efforts of many agencies and community groups.
Community Forum: Tyler Norris Visits Sarsaota County
On Monday, December 5th, area residents were treated to a discussion by nationally recognized community health expert, Tyler Norris. After a morning meeting with hospital CEOs and health department administrators, Tyler discussed How People Across the Nation are Creating Healthier Communities at the Venice Community Center.
In the past decade Tyler has worked in over 250 communities and organizations in the United States and internationally. He is helping initiate scores of civic, health, education and social venture projects and is regularly asked to design, help implement and measure the outcomes of strategic planning and capacity building initiatives.
If you missed him in December, you’ll have another chance to hear this dynamic speaker. Tyler is planning to visit Sarasota County again on April 5th to participate in the annual CHIP Celebration. Save the date and stay tuned to the CHIP website for more details.
In December, six hospital CEOs and health department directors met with national expert Tyler Norris to discuss collaborative efforts to improve health in the community. The group is pursuing a plan to target health improvements for youth in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties
The LOVN Care Team is in the field and having a positive impact on diabetics in the community. Providing in-home clinical assessment, education and social support to high-risk type 2 diabetics, the team represents the vision of the Senior Issues Committee of the Laurel, Osprey, Venice, Nokomis Community Health Action Team. Sixty-six individuals are currently enrolled in the 6-month, randomized controlled trial and preliminary data analysis reveals that the team’s efforts have already led to significant improvements in key diabetes outcomes. Senior Friendship Centers is taking the lead on providing services for this project, in partnership with Coastal Behavioral Healthcare; CHIP and the Sarasota County Health Department are providing research and technical support.
The Senior Issues Committee is now looking for funding to continue the project beyond the pilot period.
The LOVN Care Team Project was spotlighted on the BLAB TV show Connecting with Seniors. Host, Michael Jones, of Comfort Keepers, interviewed Keith Backhaus, Debbie Frank and David Clapp of the LOVN Care Team. They were passionate about their work with seniors in the community and the efforts of the LOVN CHAT to improve the health of seniors.
With a grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the LOVN CHAT Coordinating Council will soon open an additional 5 CHIP Centers in the LOVN area. In addition to the Goodwill site, CHIP Centers will be operating at the South County YMCA, Senior Friendship Center - Venice, Venice and Jacaranda libraries and the Laurel Civic Association at the Sandra Sims Terry Community Center. These Centers, supported by agency staff and volunteers, will coordinate and deliver health information and referral services. The Centers will also link with local partners to develop health and wellness programs.
At the November forum, Community Solutions to the Challenge of the Uninsured, more than 80 community leaders heard from experts from about alternative approaches to covering the uninsured. These communities have developed programs to cover uninsured children and workers, or created networks of primary care providers with funding from additional 1/4 to 1/2 cent sales taxes, foundations, and other revenue sources.
The second meeting in the series was held on January 10th and explored what a local solution might look like for Sarasota County. Visit the CHIP website to review ideas and commitments developed by individuals participating in the forums.
New chairpersons have been appointed for all three CHATs. Welcome to Connie Ellis and Dr. Lee Gross in North Port; Pat Black and Becky Eliassen in Englewood, and Barbara Kochmit in LOVN! Maggie Kennedy has agreed to continue as co-chair in LOVN. The outgoing CHAT Chairs have committed to staying active in the CHATs. Big thanks to Jack Donoghue, Vanessa Carusone, Bill Coy, Jeanne Wyman and Judy Egan for the many hours of service and contributions these leaders have made to their communities.
North Port CHAT
The North Port CHAT is soon to publish its second issue of the North Port Health and Human Services Directory. Under the leadership of Dr. Gail Quinn and Jack Donoghue, and in partnership with the North Port Sun, more than 10,000 directories will be distributed within the next two months. The CHAT is also publishing weekly health articles in the North Port Sun.
Also, the new Substance Abuse Prevention Committee of the CHAT has developed a mission statement and is working to engage local parents to provide positive activities for the youth of North Port.
Englewood CHAT
The CHAT is busy again presenting its video about health and social service needs, as well as locally available services. The Englewood CHAT is also working more closely with the Charlotte County Schools through the School Health Alliance Committee.
LOVN CHAT
The LOVN CHAT has a new and active Youth Issues Committee, led by Barb Kochmit, This Committee has established an ambitious set of goals, based on the Communities of Promise Framework. These goals include improving dialogue between youth and seniors, and developing a youth empowerment summer program. Also, thanks to an offer from Bob Mudge, of the Venice Gondolier, the committee will be helping youth at the Young Adult Center write articles for the newspaper. The LOVN CHAT is also actively developing the 6 CHIP Centers and working to expand the LOVN Care team project (see above).
Step Up, Florida! is a statewide initiative promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles to Florida citizens and visitors. Step Up, Florida! Provides a time for everyone to get active and get healthy by taking advantage of the great physical activity opportunities that Florida has to offer. The 2006 Step Up, Florida 3rd Annual Celebration will be held February 16th in Sarasota County. Visit the Step Up website for more details.
2006 brings 2 new part-time staff members to the CHIP project. CHIP welcomes Diane Ramseyer into the position of CHAT Coordinator, and Jackie Chanudet as the CHIP Center Coordinator.
Diane currently resides in North Port, having moved to the area from Ohio where she served as a housing medical services director for a mental health center. Diane will be working closely with the CHATs, assisting the groups as they work toward strategic goals and improved community health.
Jackie Chanudet is stepping in to support and coordinate the development of 6 CHIP Centers. Jackie comes to Sarasota County from New Jersey, where she served as the Community Relations Director in the State’s Department of Human Services.
CHIP also wishes to extend thanks and appreciation to interns Tiffany Magee and Jennifer Macholz, who worked on the project throughout the fall. Olivia Roberts, also an intern since September, 2005, will continue her work with CHIP.
CHIP welcomes it’s newest (and youngest) community partner: Evdoxia (Eva) Anastasia Balos. Eva was born to Jessica and Tom Balos on Dec, 11th, 2005. Jessica, CHIP’s Communication Coordinator, will be enjoying time off with her new one until May of 2006.
January
18
Senior Issues Subcommittee of the LOVN CHAT. 2:30 pm.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.
19
Englewood CHAT. 8:30 am - 10:00 am.
Englewood United Methodist Church
February
6
Health Systems Collaboration Committee meeting, 10 am.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.
8
LOVN CHAT Youth Issues Subcommittee, 4 pm.
Venice City Hall, Community Hall Room #114.
North Port CHAT. 4:30 pm.
North Port Health Park
10
LOVN CHAT. 8:30 am – 10: 00 am.
St. Mark’s Church, Venice
15
Senior Issues Subcommittee of the LOVN CHAT. 2:30 pm.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice
16
Englewood CHAT. 8:30 am – 10: 00 am.
Englewood United Methodist Church
Step Up, Florida! Event
Sarasota County - Activities County-wide
See the CHIP website to keep up-to-date on CHIP events.
Questions about the Community Health Improvement Partnership?
Click here to email CHIP staff or reach us by phone at
941.861.2867 or 941.861.2582
CHIP
Sarasota County Health and Human Services Business Center
P.O. Box 2658
Sarasota, FL 34230