Welcome to our newsletter! 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our organization and how our work throughout the region supports people and organizations to improve community health. Do you have feedback or suggestions to share? Reach out! 

In this Issue:

• WNC Healthy Impact CHA Kickoff
• Meet Natalie - our new Community Fellow
• WNCHN Recommendations
• Upcoming Events
• ...and more!

WNC Healthy Impact CHA Kickoff Event



WNC Health Network enjoyed hosting more than 30 regional partners at our WNC Healthy Impact Partners to celebrate the kick-off of our 2024 shared regional Community Health Assessment (CHA). We introduced Climate and Health as a new CHA topic, reviewed systemic improvements to the CHA process, and built stronger relationships under the late winter sunshine. Our time together was marked by a passion for community health improvement and excitement to participate in this transformative, community-driven work.

The CHA survey is a regional public health survey distributed across the region with the goal of establishing a clear understanding of the health issues being faced by our communities throughout WNC. CHA data is used to inform the development and funding of regional and local public health initiatives and is an integral part of improving health across WNC. This assessment occurs every 3 years, and this is the 5^th time WNC Healthy Impact has started a new cycle together – better together for community health improvement since 2012!

The CHA survey goes live in early March. There are two options for taking the survey this cycle: by phone or online. Phone calls will be made randomly to residents across the region to ensure a diverse and reliable sample. The WNC Healthy Impact team plans to distribute the online survey link to our Healthy Impact partners and beyond, beginning next month. The online survey link offers convenient, public access to the survey- for residents who want to participate but didn’t receive a call.

Thank you to our WNC Healthy Impact partners who demonstrate a fierce commitment to improving lives for residents in our region. Without you, this process would not be possible.

Learn more about WNC Healthy Impact and the Community Health Improvement process HERE.

Have you met Natalie?: Q&A with Natalie Beach, Community Fellow with WNC Health Network

We are excited to introduce Natalie Beach, our newest Community Fellow at WNC Health Network. The Community Fellowship offers UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings MPH students an opportunity to get paid, place-based public health experience while contributing to the work of a WNC-based organization. Currently in her first year of a Masters in Public Health program, Natalie brings a fresh perspective and passion for community health to our team.

Q: Tell us a little bit about you.

A: I am from Asheville and obtained my undergraduate degree in Zoology from NC State University in 2017. Currently, I am a first-year student in the UNC Asheville – UNC Gillings Master of Public Health (MPH) Program.

Q: Why are you pursuing an MPH?

A: My decision to pursue a Master of Public Health stems from a sincere desire to positively impact the well-being of individuals and communities. Public health, with its overarching mission to improve population health outcomes, resonates with my goals. Specifically, I am drawn to the fields of Maternal and Child Health, as well as the study of vector-borne infectious diseases.

Q: What led you to choose WNC Health Network for your community fellowship?

A: During my initial days in the MPH program, I had the privilege of meeting with Brandon, Jo, and Erin, who provided invaluable insights into their roles at WNCHN. Their passion and dedication for their work is what drew me to a fellowship with WNCHN.

Q: What are you working on in your fellowship?

A: In my fellowship, I will be actively involved until May this year. During this period, I am eager to contribute to various projects, including the development of an Environmental Justice Chapter in the Community Health Assessment Template. Additionally, I am excited to assist in the creation of survey promotional materials to ensure a robust sample for the upcoming Community Health Assessment cycle.

Q: What are you looking forward to next?

A: Looking forward, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to complete a practicum as part of my MPH program during the upcoming summer months. This practicum will serve as a pivotal step in my journey. I am currently in the process of determining the specifics for my summer practicum placement.

Get your masters while working and enhance your public health/population health skills. The UNC Asheville – UNC Gillings Master of Public Health Program is a 21-month program with classes in person one day at week (Thursdays if you start this fall) on MAHEC’s campus in Asheville that features a unique Place-Based Health concentration with:

• Standard UNC Gillings core courses;
• A joint degree from UNC Asheville and UNC Gillings;
• Small cohorts of <25 students; and
• Hands-on projects with WNC organizations and communities.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until April 1, with 10 MAHEC scholarships available to people who complete applications by March 1. Learn more at an upcoming information session:

• Wednesday, March 6th | noon-1pm - VIRTUAL
• Tuesday, March 12th | 5:30-6:30pm - IN-PERSON on MAHEC’s campus in UNC Health Sciences Building, 125 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville

NCDHHS Child Behavioral Health Dashboard

As part of its commitment to improve the health and well-being of North Carolina children and families, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of its Child Behavioral Health dashboard. The information shared through this publicly available tool will help the department as well as behavioral health providers, policymakers and stakeholders to identify and address gaps and disparities in behavioral health services for children.

The Child Behavioral Health dashboard builds a data and analysis infrastructure across child-serving sectors to provide a more complete picture of the state of behavioral health in North Carolina. By bringing together data from various systems, the dashboard enhances visibility into child behavioral health needs and allows for shared stakeholder accountability to identify and address opportunities for improvement.

Results-Based Accountability Training

Two Day Workshop: February 29 & March 5 | 9-11am each day

Join us for a 4-hour online, interactive workshop on identifying and using performance measures for improvement. “Getting to Results” is offered twice a year with a sliding scale registration fee of $75-$300.

If you have questions about “Getting to Results” or would like to discuss a custom training for your organization, please contact Meron at meron.abebe@wnchn.org.

SeekHealing Listening Training

Upcoming Two Day Retreats:

• Asheville, NC - March 9-10, July 13-14 | 10am-7pm each day
• Waynesville, NC - April 20-21, June 22-23 | 10am-7pm each day

SeekHealing provides Listening Training (LT) on a sliding scale donation basis as a free public health service. Delivering ground-breaking psycho-education in communication skills, harm reduction and relational learning; it uses an interactive format that empowers participants to connect with each other, and accelerates the associated community in activating its natural resources.

• Interactive listening & relationship exercises
• Harm-reduction for substance use, and beyond
• How to build trust, minimize shame, and experience real connection
• How to set boundaries & sustain healthy relationships
• 16 hours, CEU-eligible for Peer Support Specialist (PSS) hours

This course provides experiential education in healthy ways of relating with other people, and teaches participants how to create a new experience of community in their life. Learn more.

Rural Summit 2024

March 20-21 at the Raleigh Marriot Crabtree Valley

The Rural Summit is the NC Rural Center's annual conference. Each year, we think of it as our state's rural homecoming- a unique opportunity for local leaders and state partners to come together in conversation and celebration. This conference will focus on Building a Vibrant Future.

The 2024 Rural Summit will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and rural advocates from across the state and nation to engage in a thoughtful, intentional dialogue about the actions we can take today to advance policy and systems change across a broad spectrum of rural development issues. Learn more.

WNC Environmental Summit

March 23 | 9am-4pm at Haywood Community College

The WNC Environmental Summit will provide educational opportunities for regional groups to come together, share ideas, encourage each other, and take action to make a difference. Community leaders, Indigenous experts, agencies, and partners will share expertise related to WNC environmental topics. This conference is designed for adults and youth (high/middle schoolers) with opportunities for everyone to share ideas and connect.



This conference will inspire hope, equity, and action through a variety of presentations and workshops. Programs will feature local youth action leaders, community leaders, organizers, and scientists. Special youth-led sessions will allow middle and high school students to collaborate and find ways to step up as leaders. Students are also welcomed to share information with attendees through interactive poster presentations. Learn more.

The Community Foundation of WNC: Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund

Due March 1

Amount: $2,500-$10,000

The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund seeks to inspire philanthropy and strengthen charitable organizations serving the Swannanoa Valley by making grants relating to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources, and human services. Grants of $2,500 to $10,000 are made for charitable purposes, including programmatic needs, equipment and technology, and capital needs. Learn more.

The Community Foundation of WNC: Rutherford County Endowment

Due March 1

Amount: $2,500-$10,000

The Rutherford County Endowment seeks to benefit the broad community and its residents by promoting philanthropy and strengthening charitable organizations serving Rutherford County. Grants of $2,500 to $10,000 will be made to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for charitable purposes, including programmatic and capital needs. Learn more.

The Community Foundation of WNC: The Yancey Fund

Due March 1

Amount: $2,500-$10,000

The Yancey Fund seeks to improve the quality of life in Yancey County by promoting charitable giving and supporting projects that benefit the communities and residents of Yancey County.

The Yancey Fund provides grants between $2,500-$10,000 for charitable purposes, including programmatic and capital needs, as well as equipment and technology. Learn more.

SAMHSA Rural Emergency Medical Services Training

Due March 20

Amount: $200,000

The purpose of this program is to recruit and train EMS personnel in rural areas with a particular focus on addressing substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders (COD) substance use and mental disorders. SAMHSA recognizes the great need for emergency services in rural areas and the critical role EMS personnel serve across the country. Recipients will be expected to train EMS personnel on SUD and COD, trauma-informed, recovery-based care for people with such disorders in emergency situations and, as appropriate, to maintain licenses and certifications relevant to serve in an EMS agency. With this program, SAMHSA aims to develop the capacity of EMS staff to support residents in rural communities. Learn more.

CDC Improving Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program

Due April 1

Amount: $100,000-$300,000/12 months

Schools have direct contact with over 50 million students for at least 6 hours a day and play an important role in promoting adolescent health and well-being. CDC’s What Works in Schools program is a primary prevention approach that supports school districts in implementing three key strategies: providing quality health education, connecting youth to health services, and creating safe and supportive learning environments. This program has demonstrated effectiveness at reducing adolescent risk behaviors and experiences. In schools where the program has been implemented students were less likely to engage in sexual risk behavior, less likely to use substances, and less likely to experience violence. Core elements of the program have also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This funding opportunity supports implementation of activities at multiple levels of the public education system to achieve health goals. Funding will support implementation of the What Works in Schools program in school districts and help build the capacity of agencies to assist local education agencies (districts and schools) in implementing What Works in Schools in middle and high schools. Funding will also support the collection and use of school-based surveillance data through the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and School Health Profiles. Learn more.

Community Hub Coordinator*

UNC Gillings - North Carolina Institute for Public Health (NCIPH)

*One available position at each hub - Jackson, Cumberland, Halifax and Durham

For each Hub, a Community Hub Coordinator (CHC) will serve as an intermediary between UNC Gillings, the health department and a platform of Hub community partners and will be physically embedded within the community. The purpose of the role is to provide community development, serving first to create the program and then ensuring its smooth operation while providing a welcoming environment for all users. The position will be required to support members of the public attending hub sessions, building relationships and trust, and understand community issues. Learn more.

Strategic Initiatives Program Manager

North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors

The Strategic Initiatives Program Manager is responsible for providing operational and project management support to critical initiatives across the three organizations that make up the North Carolina Public Health Collaboration (The Collaboration): The North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA), North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors (NCALHD) and North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies (NCAPHA). Learn more.

Jackson County Food Council Coordinator (Part-time)

Jackson County Food Council

The Food Council Coordinator will be responsible for managing and coordinating the activities of the Jackson County Food Council. The Food Council Coordinator will work closely with council members, local farmers, community members, and other stakeholders to promote food security, sustainable agriculture, and healthy food access in Jackson County. Learn more.