Research and Evaluation
 Limiting Use of Criminal Background Checks in Housing 
What if housing providers limited their use of criminal background checks in housing applications? How would this impact health? The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is conducting a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to answer that question. The HIA, under the direction of a multisector advisory committee, is exploring the impact of several potential policy and practice changes.

The HIA grew out of need identified through Live Well Springfield’s 2019 Age-Friendly City housing assessment. The assessment found that older Black men in Springfield experience barriers to accessing affordable housing because of CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks. A 2018 housing study by the City of Springfield concluded the same. Black and Latinos are overrepresented in the criminal legal system, which means CORI checks have a disproportionate and inequitable impact on people of color.

An HIA is a research and public engagement process designed to make predictions about how a policy or practice change would impact health and equity. This project is funded by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Community Health and Healthy Aging Fund. The final report will be available in Summer 2021. Stay tuned!
Surveying in the Time of COVID
It’s that time again! During the week of March 22nd, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students enrolled at Springfield Public Schools will be taking a youth health survey.

Given the uncertainties of the pandemic and remote learning, it was unclear whether we’d be able to administer the survey this year; however, the planning team and schools agreed the surveys might provide important insights into youth mental health and behaviors during the pandemic. We’ve shortened the surveys and tried to zero in on topics that are most important and actionable. 
Coalition Building
New Report & New Operator for the Go Fresh Mobile Market
We are pleased to share the Go Fresh report for the 2020 Season. Through partnerships with Wellspring Community Harvest, 18 community organizations, and funding from sponsors like the Community Foundation of Western MA, Beveridge Foundation, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Trinity Health of New England, Baystate Health, Health New England, and Davis Foundation, we were able to distribute 5472 fresh food boxes to older adults and families at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More details are in the attached report!
 
We would also like to announce the transition of the Go Fresh Mobile Market to Wellspring Community Harvest. Wellspring was chosen through an RFP process led by the Go Fresh Advisory Committee. After 10 years of running the market, we are very pleased to hand over this successful, needed project to Wellspring.  They showed flexibility and capacity to pivot to a new model of emergency food distribution during the pandemic.
Live Well Springfield Featured on Kresge Website
Live Well Springfield's Climate Justice Initiative was featured on the Kresge Foundation’s website, along with three other Climate Change, Health and Equity Initiative grantees. Watch Live Well Springfield Manager Samantha Hamilton share what the project accomplished in 2020 and what keeps her inspired as she continues this work in 2021.
COVID-19
Watch Now! The COVID Vaccine: Personal & Professional Perspectives Within African American and Latino Communities
The recording has been posted for the 3/5/21 webinar, The COVID Vaccine: Personal & Professional Perspectives Within African American and Latino Communities. 
When and Where Can You Get Vaccinated?

Information may change from one day to the next. For the most up-to-date information, visit the state's vaccination page.
I’ve Been Vaccinated, Now What? 
The CDC issued new guidelines on March 8, 2021 about how fully vaccinated people can visit safely with others. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine. 
Fully Vaccinated People Can Resume Some Activities in Their Own Homes:
  • Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart.
  • Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated, should continue with all mitigation strategies (e.g. mask, physical distancing, avoid crowds) when in public settings, when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple other households, and when around unvaccinated people who are at high risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19.

Visit the Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard for the latest data for our region!
News, Events & More from our Partners
Upcoming Events
  • COVID-19 Town Hall- The Vaccine and Our Neighborhoods, March 16th, 6-8pm: Join the Springfield Vax Force for a town hall. The program can be accessed via Springfield Community Television Channel 17, http://focusspringfield.com/vax-town-hall; or http://facebook.com/cityofspringfieldma
  • MHP's Listening Tour, Western Massachusetts Series, March 16th at 12:00pm: The Massachusetts Housing Partnership is hosting a statewide listening tour to understand housing issues, gaps in technical assistance, and how we might work together to make access to housing more affordable and safe housing more equitable. Register and learn more.
  • A Conversation about Racial Equity and Food Access, March 16th at 7:00pm: Join Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, Equity Director, Food Access & Webinar Coordinator at NOFA/MASS and Ibrahim Ali, Co-Executive Director of Gardening the Community, for a conversation about racial equity and food access. Register
  • Stakeholder Listening Sessions, 3/18/21 at 5:30pm: Every year, the MA Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) brings together a variety of community residents and partners in one space to participate in a Stakeholder Listening Session. Learn more and register.
  • Environmental Roundtable for Springfield, March 24th at 6:00pm: Learn how you can get involved in a project to measure air pollution in Springfield and look at how trees can help address climate change. Register
  • Making Homes Healthier Virtual Webinar Series, starting March 25th at 3:00pm: Learn about the connection between health and housing and how to take a comprehensive approach to identify and resolve problems, which threaten the health and well-being of residents. The other sessions will take place on April 1, April 8, and April 15 at 3:00pm. Register for one or all four!
  • Housing is a Human Right- A Virtual Exploration and Call to Action, starting March 27th at 9:00am: Greening Greenfield and Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR) developed the Housing Is a Human Right Forum to help solve the housing crisis as we strive to achieve social equity, economic vitality and environmental quality in our region. Learn more and register.
  • Holyoke Community College Spring Women's Leadership Luncheon Series, April 28th at 12:00pm: Executive Director Jessica Collins and Board Member Dr. Sarah Perez McAdoo will be leading a session called, Courageous Actions. Register Now.
News
  • Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership Announce Trust Transfer Project: Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS), in partnership with the Springfield Cultural Partnership (SCP), announced the launch of the Trust Transfer Project, an initiative supporting and celebrating Springfield artists whose work conveys public health information in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and increase immunization rates.