How the Partnership Began
In 1993, individuals from the
Laurel Health System, Mansfield University, and the Tioga County Human Services Agency began planning for a community health partnership that would define and address health needs in the community. The goal was to develop a countywide health plan that would demonstrate ways in which unrelated providers of service could work together to meet health and social service needs.
Additional agencies and members of the community, such as the North Central Area Education Center, the PA Department of Health, and the Tioga County Development Corporation along with many others, quickly joined the effort and the Tioga County Partnership for Community Health was formed.
By 1995, the Partnership had been chosen, as one of only 25 sites from a diverse range of communities across the United States, to participate in the Kellogg National Community Care Network Demonstration Program. In 1997, the Partnership was awarded a Health Resources and Services administration Rural Network Development grant in order to expand the efforts initiated during the National Community Care Network project and to continue development of a countywide health plan.
In the same year, the Partnership was selected to serve as one of seven pilot sites for the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). SHIP explored how community partnerships and the Department of Health could collaborate to make a positive impact and develop creative solutions to local health problems.
In 1998, the Partnership formed a board of directors, an executive committee and a finance committee to oversee operations. A full-time executive director and support staff was hired to coordinate activities, ensure representation from all potential members and organizations, and gather input from the communities being served.
In October 2000, the Partnership was incorporated as a public nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
(www.tiogapartnership.org)
Bottom photo:
The Wellsboro Gazette published an article about the first community health survey administered in the county complete with a humorous comic provided by the talented former Tioga Publishing columnist and cartoonist and Wellsboro resident, Warren Goodrich --
snapshot from the Wellsboro Gazette, May 24, 1995.
