Melissa Feltmann | Healthier Somerset Project Manager
December 21, 2018
mycentraljersey.com
Since 2010, Healthier Somerset has been working to improve the health and well-being of all who live and work in Somerset County. Today, more than 50 members strong, it is the only health collation in New Jersey to link public policy and economic development to health.
As our eighth-year closes, we are proud to share that in 2018 Healthier Somerset:
- Engaged members and the community about our programming through communications, marketing and social media
- Celebrated “Healthier Somerset Month” in October
- Increased membership by 13 percent
- Advocated for including Health in All Policies by engaging with elected and appointed officials on municipal, county and state issues
- Focused on healthy schools by holding a Somerset County School Security Forum attended by 50 Schools and Healthier Somerset Representatives, surveying Somerset County schools on security and mental health services, and conducting Mental Health First Aid and Trauma Informed trainings in Bound Brook High School
- Aligned health policy with economic development in Somerset County through the adoption of Complete Streets in South Bound Brook, increase in Smoke-Free Parks and Farmers Markets
- Enhanced the understanding of the County Health Rankings through communication briefings
- Championed Workplace Wellness by recognizing 20 organizations at the 3rd Annual Workplace Wellness Recognition Breakfast, sponsoring the Workplace Wellness Expo with 500 registered attendees and increasing the number of business on Healthier Somerset
- Completed the third year of activities outlined in the 2016-2018 Community Health Improvement Plan. To read more about all of the CHIP activities completed, view the CHNA/CHIP Outcomes Report at www.healthiersomerset.org.
- Continued activities related to the 4-year Culture of Health grant from New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI). To learn more about the grant and associated initiatives, visit www.buildingbridgestobetterhealth.org.
- Led the development of the 2019-2021 CHIP, which included the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Combined, these efforts contributed to Somerset County being recognized by the state of New Jersey as being the second county for healthiest behaviors and third healthiest county overall.
READ: Healthier Somerset: Access to transportation options crucial to healthy living
READ: Healthier Somerset making vibrant connections to inform, educate
Looking ahead to 2019 there is still much for Healthier Somerset to accomplish. Our focus will remain on collaborating across the community to continue to improve the health of Somerset County.
To learn more about Healthier Somerset, visit www.healthiersomerset.org.
Melissa Feltmann is the project manager for Healthier Somerset