January 30, 2014 For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa LaPlante 616.632.7182 Dinner Meetings Scheduled so You can Tell Us How to Make Kent County Healthy Community Health Needs Assessment Meetings start soon GRAND RAPIDS— Access to affordable care? More mental health services? More grocers selling healthy foods? What are the most pressing needs in Kent County when it comes to our health? Starting in February, people throughout the county will have the opportunity to share their input about the health issues that concern them most. Healthy Kent is holding the meeting to gather information for the 2014 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). “The best way to ensure success of our health programs is to focus on what we can address, and what we can improve,” said Adam London, Kent County Health Officer, who has dedicated staff working with Healthy Kent. “The data and information gathered in this step will help us develop top priorities, to improve health outcomes in Kent County.” This evidence‐based process for providing the best public health access and opportunities is called “Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships,” or MAPP. Healthy Kent and Kent County Health Department will work with numerous health, human service, mental health and oral health organizations to meet CHNA requirements. Local Health Departments are required to update their Community Health Needs Assessment every five years for state accreditation, but hospitals must every three years, under requirements set by the IRS. The data collected through CHNA will used to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan, which addresses the top health issues of Kent County. Meetings will last 1‐2 hours and are scheduled for eight different geographical regions in Kent County. Attendees will receive refreshments and have a chance to win $25 gift cards for Meijer. Data gathered from previous surveys and studies will be presented, then community members will be asked to discuss health topics and share ideas on how the health issues can be improved. To RSVP for the meetings or for more information, visit www.kentcountychna.org. (Dietary restrictions and translation services should be specified in the RSVP.) (Meetings on page 2) Meetings City Date Location February 11, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mercy Health St. Mary’s Campus 200 Jefferson Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 February 12, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root) KDL 4950 Breton SE Kentwood, MI 49508 February 18, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m Kent County Health Department 700 Fuller Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 February 19, 2014 5:30-7:30 p.m. East Grand Rapids Branch KDL 746 Lakeside Dr. SE East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 February 20, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root) KDL 4950 Breton SE Kentwood, MI 49508 February 26, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Kroc Center 2500 Division Ave. S Grand Rapids, MI 49507 February 27, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 3 Mile Community Center 1470 3 Mile Rd. NW Walker, MI 49544 March 4, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Plainfield Township Branch KDL 2650 5 Mile Rd. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 March 4, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Bethany Christian Services 901 Eastern Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49501 March 6, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 3 Mile Community Center 1470 3 Mile Rd. NW Walker, MI 49544 March 11, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wyoming Branch KDL 3350 Michael Ave. SW Wyoming, MI 49509 . Grandville Public School: High School Cafeteria 4700 Canal Ave. SW Grandville, MI 49418 March 12, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. March 18, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Grandville Branch KDL 4055 Maple St. SW Grandville, MI 49418 March 18, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Hope Network 755 36th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49548 March 20, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sparta Civic Center 75 N. Union St. Sparta, MI 49345 March 25, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Caledonia Township KDL 6260 92nd St. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 March 27, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Metro Health 14211 White Creek Road Cedar Springs, MI 49319 March 31, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Krause Memorial Branch KDL 140 E. Bridge St. Rockford, MI 49341 April 1, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tyrone Township Offices 28 E. Muskegon St. Kent City, MI 49330 April 3, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Byron Township Branch KDL 8191 Byron Center Ave. SW Byron Center, MI 49315 April 14, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Englehardt Branch KDL 200 N. Monroe St. Lowell, MI 49331 April 15, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cascade Township Branch KDL 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546