The Chester County Healthy Communities Partnership is committed to improving the quality of life in Chester County through the collaborative efforts of concerned individuals and groups.
History
The Chester County Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) began in 1993 as an effort by the County's five hospitals, the County Health Department, and several health and human service agencies. At the Partnership's inaugural meeting, representatives from the founding agencies explored ways to increase cooperation and mutual planning among the partners.
While the operational structure and the faces of the agency representatives have changed over the years, the Partnership remains committed to improving the quality of life in Chester County. HCP's members, either collaboratively or as individual agencies, have researched and published valuable countywide needs assessments that have been used to develop and fund needed community based programming and raise awareness of community issues.
HCP has sponsored several countywide conferences, two of which have focused on healthy youth, and organized a Dental Health Taskforce which improved access to oral health care in our County.
In May, 2000,the Chester County Healthy Communities Partnership was recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as the designated SHIP (State Health Improvement Plan) entity in Chester County. In 2007, HCP affiliated with the Chester County Family and Community Partnership.
Today the Partnership is facilitated by staff at the Chester County Health Department. If you would like to be added to the the mailing list to receive information about Partnership activities and or the State's SHIP initiatives, click here.
Initiatives
Oral Health
A major focus of the Partnership has been to increase access to oral health care in Chester County. Our Partners have worked collaboratively through various initiatives, such as the Chester County Dental Health Taskforce, community and school based education programs and direct patient care, to help our residents access preventive and restorative care and understand how important good oral health is to their health and well-being.
The Health Department's Dental Health Outreach Coordinator, Luz Garzon, works with individuals and families to refer them to dental resources such as community or school based clinics and private providers who are willing to care for patients in their offices at reduced fees. The brochure, "Dental Providers for People Who Are Uninsured in Chester County" is an excellent reference guide. Luz, who is also bilingual, assists families with the completion of CHIP and Medical Assistance insurance applications, too, and provides oral health education to groups and individuals throughout the County.
Chronic Disease Prevention
In response to the increasing numbers of County residents that are experiencing preventable chronic diseases or who have become overweight or obese because of poor diet and lack of physical activity, Healthy Community Partnership members have partnered with area YMCA's to bring the national YMCA of the USA's Activate program to Chester County. Activate Chester County is a countywide, collaborative effort committed to changing the culture and environment in Chester County so that residents are motivated toward healthy living. With one simple message - Move More, Eat Smart, Create a Supportive Environment - we are making a difference in the lives of our residents.
There are nine different Activate Chester County work groups throughout the County. Visit the website, www.activatechestercounty.org to learn about current events and find out how you can become involved.
Links
Current News/Events
Save the Date - Creating Connections between Trails and Health Workshop - Tuesday, March 4th
The Activate Chester County Steering Committee and the National Park Service are collaborating with the City of Coatesville as they develop the proposed River Walk trail along the Brandywine River in Coatesville.
