Working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based

prevention planning and health promotion.

Member Communities

Brookline * Dedham * Dover * Needham * Newton * Waltham * Wellesley * Weston * Westwood

About

Who We Are: CHNA 18 is a local coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based prevention planning and health promotion.  The current focus for CHNA 18 is developing collaborations among community groups and across communities. We welcome new members to help us achieve that goal.

Our Vision: Our vision is to fund and support grassroots efforts to address community public health priorities while providing professional value to CHNA members.

What We Do: CHNA 18 provides a resource for local agencies and organizations to gather information, share ideas, and network on a regular basis. We also offer grant opportunities when funds are available. The CHNA meets regularly to plan educational and training events, identify funding sources, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Our current grant partners and programs are:  

• Springwell Elder Services: Springwell will partner with Newton Wellesley Hospital to implement the region's first care transitions intervention program to improve seniors' transitions home from the hospital and follow-up communication with their doctors.
  
  

• Brookline Department of Public Health: The BDPH program will link improvements in public health to the town’s major climate change initiative, Brookline 2010.  Spearheaded by town elected officials, Brookline 2010 is a three year project whose goal is to reduce Brookline’s carbon footprint, adapting scientific tools to measure and document the results.  BDPH will create a new partnership with Brookline 2010 to plan, implement and evaluate educational programs and other activities designed to reduce the carbon footprint among Brookline households while also improving public health.  BDPH will target its work primarily in the areas of nutrition and physical activity; and will share its expertise and products with other CHNA communities in years 2 and 3.
  
  
•  Jewish Family and Children's Services, Waltham Fields Community Farm, and Healthy Waltham: This project will address  limited access to healthy food for the individuals and families particularly at risk for poor nutritional health living on low incomes in the City of Waltham. Project implementation will include: a.) collaboration building between JF&CS, WFCF, and HW; b.) direct service; and c.) food provision.  Ways to reach residents of Waltham with direct service include existing interactive nutrition groups, community-wide events, and online nutrition information and recipes.  All services are based on teaching how to eat healthy on a limited food budget through healthy low-cost meal ideas, food budgeting practice, and local produce.

Our Steering Committee

Bruce Cohen, Co-Chair-MA Dept Public Health

Judy Fallows, Co-Chair-Healthy Waltham
Janice Berns, Treasurer-Needham Health Department 

Lloyd Gellineau-Brookline Health Departmenr

Cheryl Lefman-Wellesley Health Department                  

Beth Rogan-Warmlines/Project Interface

Roseane Cardoso-WIC                                                 

Venice Saheely-Mass Bay Comm.College (Retired)

Mary Suresh-Wellesley Health Department                     

Teresa Wood-Kett-Newton Health Department

Laura Van Zandt-REACH Beyond Domestic Violence    

Gail Sommer-Newton Community Service Center

Jhana Wallace-CHNA 18 Coordinator

Ad Hoc-Charlene Julien-RCHC, Marsha Lazar-RCHC

Current Projects and Programs:

Community Needs Assessment

CHNA 18 is currently in the process of conducting a community needs assessment.  With the formation of a needs assessment sub group, we are partnering with local health departments, hospitals, agencies and organizations to better understand the health priorites of our communities.  Results of our assessment will be used for planning programs, events, and funding opportunities. 

Community Outreach and Member Development

CHNA 18 has recently developed a subcommitee specifically for the purpose of expanding community outreach.  Our goal is to make sure we have reached out to everyone who can benefit from joining the CHNA.  Through this project, we hope to have representation from all of our member communities and from a wide variety of agencies, organizations and individuals.

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