CMRPHA Newsletter

September 2023

Welcome to the Relaunched CMRPHA Newsletter!

In February 2022 the Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH) launched a newsletter to bring you stories about how the Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance (CMRPHA) is working to improve, promote, and protect the health and safety of its residents. Today, we are switching to an email version to increase its reach and accessibility, with individual articles published online.

If you are interested in learning more about the events and programs you read about, please feel free to contact WDPH at 508-799-8531 or health@worcesterma.gov.

Worcester DPH Expands Maternal/Child Health Programming

As part of its work to improve regional maternal and child health outcomes, the Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH) is expanding its doula programming. Doulas can offer nurturing, support, and expert guidance for families during pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.

Read About Maternal/Child Health

New Shared Services Coordinator to Facilitate Collaboration Across CMRPHA

Since its inception, the Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance (CMRPHA) has aimed to be an innovative regional public health district united through an array of shared health services. Its capability to do so will now be enhanced through a new Shared Services Coordinator position that will focus on strengthening and facilitating collaboration across each municipality.

Read About Shared Services

Join the Regional Medical Reserve Corps

Last month, Worcester Division of Public Health staff and Worcester Regional Medical Reserve Corps (WRMRC) volunteers staffed a first aid table at Coalition for a Healthy North Brookfield's National Night Out. As host of the WRMRC, WDPH oversees medical and non-medical volunteer recruitment and deployment for 38 communities in Central Massachusetts.

The WRMRC and Greater Grafton MRC are always looking for new volunteers to train and be prepared to respond to emergencies in their communities.

Learn About the MRC

Shrewsbury Launches TRIAD

The Shrewsbury TRIAD Council is a partnership focused on Seniors that includes a senior volunteer, Shrewsbury Police and Fire, the Council on Aging, and support services. TRIAD's goal is to improve the quality of life for seniors by helping reduce concerns about their personal and financial safety not only at home, but in the greater community. It seeks to empower, educate, reduce fear and increase peace of mind, and provide a forum to discuss crime-related needs and concerns.

Upcoming Events

Stop by and say hello to our team members on the following dates:

Grafton Health and Wellness Fair

Friday, Sept. 22

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Grafton Senior Center

WPI Wellness Day

Friday, Sept. 22

12:30 - 2 p.m.

WPI Center for Wellbeing

Spirit of Shrewsbury

Saturday, Sept. 23

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Oak Middle School

September Is Preparedness Month

Every September is Emergency Preparedness Month, when we highlight the need to prepare for emergencies and disasters and provide resources to equip residents with the information they should know.

This year, the month-long nationwide preparedness campaign encourages residents – particularly older adults who may be more vulnerable to disaster impacts – to take simple steps to better prepare themselves, their homes, their businesses, and their communities. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has compiled 30 tips for 30 days.

Get Prepared