ENGAGING TARGET POPULATIONS TO MAKE EFFECTIVE, SUSTAINABLE, POLICY, SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Chera Sevcik, MS Jessica Seide Sandy Lorenz, MA
STATEWIDE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (SHIP) Passed by the 2008 legislature as part of Minnesota Health Reform. Minnesota Department of Health awarded funds that covered all Community Health Boards and 7 of 9 tribal governments. Uses sustainable Policy-System-Environmental (PSE) approach to improving health. Targets four sectors: Community, School, Worksite, Health Care Organization
FARIBAULT, MARTIN & WATONWAN COUNTIES SHIP BACKGROUND Faribault, Martin & Watonwan (FMW) Counties received a SHIP grant to work in schools, worksites, health care organizations and communities
UTILIZING COMMUNITY LEADERS FMW SHIP established an active Community Leadership Team to guide and oversee SHIP efforts. County-level steering committees were started to provide input and recommendations to the CLT Grassroots, innovation and sustainability were the primary goals of our project resulting in providing mini-grant awards to communities, schools, worksites and health care organizations to help implement SHIP work.
DETERMINING STRATEGIES Fall 2009- FMW SHIP conducted a comprehensive community assessment which included: Community Surveys 7 Focus Groups Key Informant Interviews Community Mapping Reviewing Existing Data Assessment data combined with Steering Committee recommendations allowed FMW CLT to select 6 strategies Community Nutrition, Community Physical Activity, School Nutrition, School Physical Activity, Worksite Wellness and Health Care Referral
DECIDING ON MINI-GRANTS Mini-grants allowed for innovation, communitycontrol and grassroots implementation of SHIP efforts Allowed community champions to take ideas and run FMW SHIP awarded 23 mini-grants impacting over 30 sites This is a story about a few of those projects.
WATONWAN COUNTY LATINO WELLNESS COUNCIL
ABOUT WATONWAN COUNTY Population of 11,211 Highest Per-Capita Latino Population in the State of MN at 21% 11% of population living below poverty
CULTURAL BARRIERS Language County of Origin (Not all are Hispanic!) Cultural Values Emphasis on Family & Community Cultural Celebrations Cultural differences with lifestyles Foods, Exercise/Physical Activity Obtaining Medical Care Understanding the need for Prevention Levels of understanding with PSE change
OVERCOMING BARRIERS 1. Identifying a champion(s) in the community! 2. Brainstorming possible ways to work on PSE changes that fits Latino values, culture and beliefs. 3. Thinking outside of the box trying things we had not tried before. 4. Developing a relationship with the community 5. Go where they already are (workplaces, schools, churches) 6. Work schedule can be prohibitive
OUR IDEA: LATINO WELLNESS COUNCIL FMW SHIP awarded a mini-grant to form a Latino Wellness Council Our goals: Engaging Latinos in a community assessment process to better understand their wants and needs in terms of nutrition, physical activity, health care and worksite health; Implementing policy, systems and environmental changes as well as health programming to improve the health of the population;
LATINO WELLNESS COUNCIL Goals Cont d Identifying external grant opportunities to increase funding for these initiatives; Introducing American culture to Latino immigrants; and Identifying ways to engage the Latino population to participate in health initiatives.
A SLOW START Recruitment was slow, but eventually we found the right people Ellen utilized her connections with Tony Downs Foods (70% of the employees are Latino) and found Latinos interested and committed First Latino Council Meeting Held Fall 2010 at local Hotel 10 Latinos came we provided dinner from local Mexican Restaurant Subsequent Meetings Latinos brought food to share Met at local church
DEFINING PRIORITIES The Latino Wellness Council members prioritized three key issues to address as a Council: The City of Madelia does not have a public space to play soccer, a culturally important sport in Latino cultures; There are several barriers in place that prevent residents from accessing local food shelves; and Latino Wellness Council members do not consider certain Madelia City streets to be safe for walking for themselves and especially for their children.
A PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE Latino Council tackled first priority - Community Soccer Field Meeting with City Administrator to identify public property large enough Proposal drafted & set date to present to city council. Proposal overviewed to City Council by Chera Sevcik and Latino Wellness Council.
A PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE City Council voted unanimously to approve proposal which included city commitment to maintain field. The field was prepared and ready for use in Summer 2011.
OTHER STRATEGIES Community Nutrition Latino Wellness Council is working with: Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant to label healthier items on the menu With local food shelf directors to increase access to healthier and more culturally appropriate foods. Community Physical Activity Engaging Community Leaders/Decision-makers in a Walkability Assessment and encouraging safer walking conditions to schools, stores and churches from Latino neighborhoods
LESSONS LEARNED It takes time to build a council. Make participation convenient and comfortable. Focus efforts on what moves the community. Choose a facilitator that can bridge between Latino and mainstream culture. Take time to understand cultural perspectives on prevention. Capitalize on opportunities for change. Staff support is critical to moving forward.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Continue to build the council focusing on continued recruitment, which may change with priority areas. Continue to meet, ensure value to council and provide them with ways to improve their community AND the entire community. Continue defining priorities and working towards culturally appropriate solutions.
LATINO COUNCIL CASE STUDY Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan Counties Latino Council Case Study report can be found at http://tinyurl.com/3o6zn5v
MARTIN COUNTY SENIOR VOICES
ABOUT MARTIN COUNTY Population of 21,000 Over 20% of Martin County s are over the age of 65 compared to 12% statewide
THE BEGINNING Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER) received a SHIP grant help refer seniors to resources for physical activity, nutrition, volunteer opportunities and health care. In Fall, 2010 Martin County Senior Voices Coalition was formed and began meeting.
MISSION AND VISION Mission: To identify and promote resources which enhance, empower and enrich seniors to be healthy, safe, and engaged citizens Vision: To help seniors live healthy and purposeful lives through education and engagement in community activities and services
ASSESSMENT Understanding the perceived needs among Seniors Completed assessment to identify and gather information related to: Health Care Housing Nutrition Opportunities Transportation Opportunities for Exercise
GOALS 1. Create a system of resource and referral for information dissemination among senior citizens. 2. Develop key relationships and contract person in all Martin County communities. 3. Identify needs in activities, programs and services for aging and/or retired persons 4. Promote these services and activities to seniors 5. Engage seniors in voicing concerns about walkability and accessibility.
PRIORITIES Partner with Fairmont Downtown Association to engage community in a walkability assessment. Work with facilities to expand offerings for recreational opportunities aimed at Seniors (indoor walking, free open - gym, walking groups) Develop opportunities for intergenerational physical activity Create a resource guide and website for easy access to services, programs and information for Seniors. Connect Senior Caregiver Organizations, Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Promote community resources
Walkability is a very important component of engaging the senior population. Fairmont City Engineer hosted Walk N Roll Examined what could be done to make it easier to get around by foot or bike Discussed future plans for trails and city roads WALK N ROLL
WALKABILITY CHECKLIST Walkability checklist were distributed to different groups throughout Fairmont Checklist were then collected and sent to Fairmont s City Engineer
Saturday, February 5 th 2011 Event was free and open to the public 48 people attended of various ages from young children to seniors SNOWSHOE EVENT
ACTIVE LIVING PACKAGES Equipment available to all generations to promote being physically active within the community. Equipment includes: Snowshoes Bocce Ball Croquet Sets Horseshoes And other games..
PICKLE BALL & MINNESOTA SENIOR GAMES Purchased Pickle Ball equipment Offered Pickle Ball Open gym to seniors in the community at no cost. Some of our open gym participants participated in the 2011 Minnesota Senior Games Since then a Pickle Ball League has been started
2011 Minnesota Senior Games June 2-5, 2011 Mankato Minnesota State University,
RESOURCE GUIDE
WEBSITE MARTINCOUNTYSENIORVOICES.COM Search tabs for: Home Calendar Contact Activities Transportation Food Health Care Volunteer Faith Institutions
ACTIVE LIVING CHATS
LESSONS LEARNED Facilitator/Champion is a vital aspect of creating a Senior Council Involve the right people Start with an area people care about and build on it Building a sustainable council is time-intensive Allow people to participate however they feel most comfortable Shared leadership results in member buy in Reevaluate goals as new information is available Data provided a good starting point
SENIOR VOICES CASE STUDY Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan Counties Senior Voices Case Study report can be found at http://tinyurl.com/3o6zn5v
INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS
FARIBAULT COUNTY Population 14,553 11 communities, 7 with under 600 people. 22% over the age of 65, higher than the state average of 13%
INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS Senior Service organization serving seniors with unmet non-medical needs, living with chronic illnesses or temporary disabilities. Interfaith Caregivers started serving seniors in Faribault County in 1997. Mission To provide non-medical, volunteer-based support and assistance for seniors with physical, social and spiritual needs. Goal To establish and coordinate a network of trained volunteers who can enable those served to maintain independence, dignity and quality of life.
HOW SHIP ENHANCED OFFERINGS Funding provided through mini-grant Technical assistance with drafting action plan, budget, communications plan Contacted MDH for training opportunities Connected with other organizations and agencies serving Seniors Secured CDSMP training and identified participants from region
DIRECT ACCESS TO AT-RISK SENIORS Interfaith provides Support services for elders and caregivers Escorts to medical appointments Respite Care Transitioning home from hospital or nursing home Support Groups Educational classes Transportation Opportunities for Volunteers
INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS AND SHIP Interfaith received a SHIP mini-grant in 2010 to: Develop an assessment and referral process to identify seniors with risk factors and provide referrals to community resources Become trained to provide the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and offer the program regularly Expand current offerings for Matter of Balance especially to smaller communities within the County
SENIOR HEALTH & FITNESS ASSESSMENT
CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT TRAINING
LESSONS LEARNED Partner with area Community Education to advertise workshops and classes Communicate and learn from other agencies serving Seniors Train individuals living in smaller communities to ensure classes will be available to all Seniors not just those in the population centers Small communities are eager to be served locally Champions are in each community - the challenge is to identify
FUTURE PLANS Letter of intent for SHIP 2.0 Continue expansion to underserved communities in Faribault County Continue to build coalitions with county and state-wide resources Expand directory/website Expand volunteer base
RESOURCES www.fiafaribaultcounty.org www.mnhelp.info http://fchealth@bevcomm.net
CONTACT INFORMATION Chera Sevcik, MS E-mail: chera.sevcik@fmchs.com Phone: 507-236-5376 Jessica Seide E-mail: seide.jessica@gmail.com Sandy Lorenz, MA E-mail: slorenz@mscplus.com