Fall 2016              
A Message from the VP, Community Health
Dear Friends,

It is good for this newsletter to be back after taking a break!

It has been a busy and fascinating time for community health improvement in Massachusetts. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass Foundation just released a report recommending that hospital regulations for community engagement be streamlined. The DPH is rethinking its community health initiatives (required when hospitals apply to make a major capital investment), and the Attorney General is updating the voluntary community benefit guidelines. All are intended to spur deeper community engagement for greater impact.

This is great validation for the 20+ years of engagement that CCHI has had with Chelsea, Revere, Charlestown and, more recently, East Boston. But, it also challenges us to up our game. We are working hard with other Boston teaching hospitals to better collaborate on our community health needs assessments. And, we're beginning to talk about becoming an "anchor institution," an exciting concept where the economic power of the institution is harnessed to benefit underserved communities. More on that to come.

Finally, I think you will be impressed with the Executive Committee on Community Health's ( ECOCH's) efforts to integrate community health into every aspect of the hospital's mission. And, I know that you will be inspired by the wonderful work being done here at CCHI with our community partners.

Thank you for your support of community health at MGH!

Best,

     
Joan Quinlan
Vice President, Community Health
CCHI Updates  

2016 Community Health Needs Assessment Focuses on Teen Mental Health and Substance Use
 
The recently released 2016 CHNA Report focused on factors contributing to adolescent substance use and mental health in the Chelsea, Revere, Charlestown, and East Boston. More than 200 youth, mental health professionals, those in recovery, and family members of those in recovery were engaged in focus groups and interviews to inform the assessment.  
Download the full report.
First Bicentennial Scholars Graduate
 
Thirteen MGH Bicentennial Scholars recently graduated from local colleges and universities in Mass. When 5 additional students graduate in the spring of 2017, 76% of the cohort will have graduated within five years, compared to 51% of a similar cohort of Boston Public School graduates.
 
Mass General created the Bicentennial Scholars Program in 2011 as the hospital's "gift" to the community as part of its 200th birthday. The program works to support students in our existing high school program to successfully matriculate and graduate from college. Learn more about the Bicentennial Scholars Program. 
Coalition Report

The Charlestown Coalition
 
To better reflect the wide scope of their public health work in the community, the coalition formerly known as CSAC has changed their name and tagline to: Charlestown Coalition: Advancing Communities. Transforming Lives.
 
As part of Recovery Month this past September, the Artists Group of Charlestown hosted a series of creative arts workshops for local women who've suffered trauma, are in recovery, and are trying to help their community. WCVB Channel 5 Boston shared how the project is helping these women find healing through painting. Proceeds from the exhibition benefitted the Charlestown Coalition. 
Healthy Chelsea

 

Healthy Chelsea received their second grant from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) to reduce toxic stress for youth 0-5 years.

 

The Coalition is also collaborating with the Chelsea Police Department on an Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant to work with the community to create a common language around trauma and embed the principles of trauma informed care into the work of community organizations. The ultimate goal is for Chelsea to become a trauma sensitive city. 
Revere CARES
 
Two community playground builds were recently led by Revere on the Move as part of their plan to promote physical activity. On October 21-22, with assistance from ROM and other community partners, the Oak Island Neighborhood doubled the size of their playground structure. A baseball field reconstruction, basketball court improvements, new soccer turf, and new walkways throughout are all now in the works. Funding came through a PARC grant, Community Development Block Grant, the City of Revere, and Revere on the Move through their Park initiative.
 
From September 19-21, in collaboration with Kaboom!, Revere on the Move partnered with Target to organize community members to build a playground at the Garfield School. In addition to staff participation, Revere on the Move contributed the required funding match.
We're Hiring!
Director of Development, Community Health.  Check out the qualifications, and let us know if you think you are a good fit for this important position (or you know someone who is).

ECOCH News
The Executive Committee on Community Health (ECOCH) is charged with promoting community health improvement and ensuring health equity, leveraging all four components of the MGH mission: patient care, teaching, research, and community health.
(l-r) Joan Quinlan, Julie Levison, Eden Evins, Jonathan Jackson, Beverly Moy, Jennifer Magee, and Katrina Armstrong (not pictured-Tony Lim)
First Community Health Grants Awarded
 
The Executive Committee on Community Health (ECOCH) awarded its first ever grants to five clinical departments that proposed creative, innovative ways of incorporating community health and health equity into their work.
 
 

ECOCH Community Research Symposium

"Building a Career in Community Research at MGH: A Panel Discussion"

The ECOCH Research Committee, in collaboration with ECOR, will be holding a community research symposium on Thursday, November 10th, 2016, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Simches Research Center, Room 3.120.  
 
Social Determinants of Health Video Required Viewing for all MGH Staff
 
All MGH staff (current and new hires) will view a 6 minute video on the social determinants of health as part of this year's staff education requirement through the Healthstream Learning Center. This is an important step in recognizing the impact on social determinants such as housing and food access to patients' health statuses. The video was produced by the ECOCH Education Committee.
 
CCHI Out and About

This past month: 

Sarah Oo, Director of Community Health Improvement for CCHI at the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center made two presentations at the 2016 National Conference for America's Children, held in Cincinnati, Ohio, from October 17-20. Sarah and Maria Yolanda Wigozki gave a presentation on reflective supervision, a method of supporting and empowering community health workers. She was also joined by Leybis Pena for a presentation on their fatherhood program, part of the home visiting program for high risk new mothers .
 
Ronald Fishman, Healthy Chelsea Program Coordinator, was featured on a panel discussion at the Southern New England American Planning Association Conference in Worcester, Mass, on October 21st. The session addressed the role of immigrant entrepreneurs in providing healthy food choices in low-income communities.

Christyanna Egun, Director of Boston Partnerships, presented at the Career Pathways, Competency Credentials and 21st Century Skills Produce Strong Outcomes for All Students Conference on Friday, October 28th. The event was sponsored by the Mass School Counselor Association, Skills USA, and Reach High Mass.

Danelle Marable, Director of Evaluation & Strategic Support, presented at the American Evaluation Association's Annual Conference on the Greater Boston Evaluation Network, which she co-chairs. October 26-29.
Upcoming:
Christyanna Egun will be presenting at the Massachusetts STEM Summit 2016 on Tuesday, November 1st, along with colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital. Their presentation is titled "Creating a Diverse Healthcare Workforce - Creating a Pathway to Success."
 
Healthy Chelsea's Hannah Finnigan and Madelyn Herzog, along with youth leadership, will present "Youth as Leaders in the Farm to School Movement" at the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference on November 4th.