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May 2016 Newsletter
Our Shared Agenda:  New Priorities for the Health & Equity Partnership!  

We are pleased to announce the 3 priorities the Partnership will focus on for the next two years:
  • Increase the capacity in NH for the collection of high quality Race, Ethnicity and Language (REaL) data across all systems at the state and local level to identify disparities and promote utilization of data to inform improvements, policies and procedures.
  • Increase organizational cultural effectiveness and improve the capacity of organizations in NH to provide high quality services to all populations (especially Racial, Ethnic and Linguistic minorities) by incorporating the elements of a culturally effective organization.
  • Increase a diversified workforce to support economic opportunities for racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities and all populations in NH. 
Spotlight on Louisa Martin:  “Mama” to Many, Missed by All

It was a sight to see at the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Athletic Complex. They came from all walks of life and lined the stage donning blue shirts that said “Beloved Community” on the front. While there were many differences among the group they had one thing in common – Louisa Martin.

While Toneita Thomas ’17 offered a personal reflection about her relationship with Louisa, the crowded stage behind her served as a visual representation of the impact that she had on the many students who knew her.

Their shirts bore the name of this student organization she had vigorously supported since its inception. Its goals, to eradicate all forms of discrimination and promote an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood, were based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream.

Louisa lost her courageous battle with breast cancer on February 7, 2016. Throughout her professional career, ministry, and community involvement, she advocated for those who were underrepresented, underprivileged, and underserved.

Read more...
Toneita Thomas giving a tribute to “Mama” with current and past SNHU students. 
An Important Access Victory:  The New Hampshire Health Protection Program (Medicaid Expansion) Has Been Extended Through 2018!
On April 5th, Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law the extension of the New Hampshire Health Protection Program (NHHPP, also known as Medicaid Expansion) through December 31, 2018.

A major thank you goes out to the Governor and to those Representatives and Senators from both sides of the aisle who came together to do the right thing for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable population. However, the most important thank you needs to go to Department of Health and Human Services. 

It was because of their excellent implementation of the Medicaid Expansion program that organizations, businesses, and individuals were able to demonstrate to legislators the significance of this program, both economically and medically, and their data helped lawmakers understand the need to continue the program beyond 2016.

What this means for adults in New Hampshire between the ages of 19-64, is that they can enroll or continue their health insurance, if their income meets the following guidelines:
Endowment for Health Annual Meeting Examines Equity and Racial Justice
“Wow! An honest conversation about race in New Hampshire.” So said one of the 275 participants attending the Endowment for Health annual meeting held this past March 21st.

The gathering examined the opportunities and challenges associated with creating equitable places in New Hampshire.  

A panel of New Hampshire leaders participated in the discussion, including Lucy Hodder, Director of the Health Law and Policy Programs at University of New Hampshire; Woullard Lett of Lett Consulting; and Steve Reno of Leadership, NH. 

Moderated by Endowment for Health President, Yvonne Goldsberry, the panel began an honest discussion about the barriers and challenges associated with creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all of New Hampshire’s residents.


From left to right: Lucy Hodder, Woullard Lett, Steve Reno and Yvonne Goldsberry.
Curtiss Reed Jr. of the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity addresses the crowd at the March 21st Endowment for Health annual meeting.
Equity in School Discipline: Important Issue Brief and Conference Resource  

There has been a growing recognition, nationally, of the importance of addressing equity in school discipline. In March, UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy published the issue brief: Exclusionary Discipline Highest in New Hampshire’s Urban Schools, describing how exclusionary school discipline - that is, suspension and expulsion - disproportionately affects already disadvantaged students in New Hampshire.

More recently, a day-long conference on School Discipline Guidance was held April 12th in Concord, NH. The event was offered by the NH Department of Education, Office of Student Wellness, in partnership with the New England Equity Assistance Center of Brown University. The conference was attended by NH Educators in leadership roles and provided technical assistance around discipline obligations required by federal law as well as discussion and networking sessions on related issues.  

Dr. Virginia Barry, the New Hampshire Department of Education commissioner, began the day by reminding attendees that NH’s youth are becoming more diverse. 

“Granny D” reminds us we can all make a difference

Doris "Granny D" Haddock (January 24, 1910 – March 9, 2010) was an American political activist from New Hampshire. Granny D achieved national fame when she walked over 3,200 miles (5,100 km) across the United States to advocate for campaign finance reform. 

Her walk started in Los Angeles on January 1, 1999 when she was 88 years old. When she reached Washington, D.C. on February 29, 2000, she was 90 years old.

In 1960, Granny D began her political activism when she and her husband successfully campaigned against planned hydrogen bomb nuclear testing in Alaska, saving an Inuit fishing village at Point Hope.

She and her husband retired to Dublin, New Hampshire in 1972, where Granny D served on the city planning board and was active in the community.

"Dear friends, we would never seek to abolish now what has become our dear United States. But it is our constant intention that it should be a government of, by and for the people, not the special interests. Our right to alter our government must be used to sweep these halls clean of greedy interests so that people may use this government in service to each other's needs and to protect the condition of our earth."
    - Doris "Granny D" Haddock

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Foundation for Healthy Communities Celebrates 20 Years

The Foundation for Healthy Communities celebrated its 20th Anniversary at an event held May 12th at the Bridges House in East Concord, thanking all those who have contributed to the success of the organization. 

More than 70 people representing board members, funders, colleagues and staff who have partnered with the Foundation over the past two decades to improve the health and health care in communities attended the celebration. 

The Foundation's work to improve community health began with visionary leaders anticipating health care reform and opportunities in New Hampshire to work better together for health on behalf of patients and communities.

Pictured left to right: Steve Ahnen, President, New Hampshire Hospital Association; Shawn LaFrance, Executive Director, Foundation for Healthy Communities; and Mary Deveau, Chair, Foundation for Healthy Communities Board of Trustees address the attendees at the 20th Anniversary Event.
Pictured left to right: Yvonne Goldsberry, President, Endowment for Health; Shawn LaFrance, Executive Director, Foundation for Healthy Communities
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Vote! 
Voter education / voter rights series – Part 1

While it seems that the parade of candidates and media that invade New Hampshire for primary season are barely gone – it is never too early to think about the next time we can raise our voice via the ballot box for both the September election and the Presidential election in November.

Please see the following helpful information on how to be an informed registered voter, provided by the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government.


LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

For more information: www.LWVNH.org . Secretary of State:  http://sos.nh.gov/
About Us

The New Hampshire Health and Equity Partnership is a public-private collaborative effort of philanthropic organizations, public health agencies, community based organizations, advocates and others concerned with health equity.  The Partnership is guided in its work by the Plan to Address Health Disparities and Promote Health Equity in New Hampshire. The goal of the plan is to define statewide priorities and prepare recommendations to advance health equity for NH's racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority communities. 

The New Hampshire Health and Equity Partnership is an initiative of the Foundation for Healthy Communities.