HEALTHY
VALLEY 2000HEALTHY
VALLEY 2000The mission of Healthy Valley 2000 is to improve the health and quality of life in the community by making the Valley a better place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy life. Underlying this mission is a commitment to maintain Valley unity through regional cooperation; work to enhance community image and pride; better utilize the Valley's unique resources, especially its two major rivers; and to embrace cultural diversity.
Healthy Valley 2000 has selected 6 "Key Performance Areas" (KPAs) to focus on: Arts & Recreation, Economic Development, Community Involvement, Health, Education and Youth / America's Promise. In addition, an Electronic Valley team has created an Internet information and communications system to link together all segments of the Valley community <www.electronicvalley.org>
These 7 teams have identified the following initiatives as meaningful ways to improve the quality of life in the Valley, and make the Valley a better place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy life. The project will continue to seek timely initiatives that advance the mission of Healthy Valley 2000. For more information call (203) 735-3942, or e-mail <hv2000@electronicvalley.org>
Mission: To create a system on the Internet to link together all segments of the Valley community. <http://www.electronicvalley.org>
1. COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM....Create a system on the Internet that provides information on all facets of community life, and links together all segments of the Valley community - Education, Health, Business, Government, Human Services, Arts & Recreation, Religion, Libraries, and Civic Groups.
Survey Data Shows: Lack of awareness of community services and programs
Project Captain: John Joy, Joy Associates / Jack Walsh, Chair
Measurement of Success: Number of users equals 50% of Valley Internet users by December 1997
All six town governments on line; all non-profits on line; 50% of businesses on line by December 1997
Number of E-mail addresses registered reaches 50% of Valley E-mail users by December 1997
Organizations take responsibility for updating their own information
[STATUS: System is up and running. Media Reception held in October '96 to publicly launch the project. Content is updated on a continuing basis. Volunteers are still needed to gather and update content]
a) ELECTRONIC VALLEY & INTERNET ACCESS FOR ALL VALLEY CITIZENS...Provide Electronic Valley and Internet access for all Valley citizens so that people can communicate, and exchange and access information relevant to their health and lifestyle needs. There are 18 public access Internet sites in the community, 10 of which were created by Healthy Valley 2000: Ansonia Community Action, Tinney Community Center, Ansonia Nature Center, Ansonia Department of Labor, Ansonia Public Library, Beacon Falls Library, Derby Senior Center, Derby Neck Library, Derby Public Library, TEAM, Griffin Hospital Resource Center, Seymour Public Library, Oxford Public Library, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, United Methodist Homes, Valley Regional Adult Education, Plumb Memorial Library, Huntington Branch Library.
[STATUS: A grant from the Katharine Matthies Foundation has allowed Healthy Valley to create 10 public access sites in the Valley, and to train citizens on using the Electronic Valley and Internet. All 10 public access sites are up and running. Public training sessions have been held at each site]
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Mission: To create and communicate opportunities for people to take responsibility for the good of the Valley, and be involved in community organizations and events
2. VALLEY PRIDE WEEK....Community groups and organizations "adopt" beautification projects to carry out during a one-week period during the year. Mayors of all towns provide support and resources through their Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments; citizens participate in neighborhood improvement initiatives.
Survey Data Shows: Majority of Valley residents think we should do more to clean up and beautify the Valley
Project Captain: Nancy Valentine
Completion Date: October 26, 1996, for first initiative. June, 1999 for second round.
Measurement of Success:
* Elected officials from all Valley towns participate, and involve their Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments
* Groups from all Valley towns adopt projects
* The number of volunteers and organizations increases from year to year
* The number and quality of improvements increases from year to year
* Local media provides good coverage, and presents project in a positive light
[STATUS: First Valley Pride Week took place October 19-26, 1996]
3. COMMUNITY CALENDAR....A comprehensive listing of events and meetings in the Valley, published on a quarterly basis on the Electronic Valley.
Survey Data Shows: Lack of awareness of entertainment offerings and social services in the Valley
Project Captain: Nancy Roshka, Valley United Way
Completion Date: First quarterly Calendar published in fall of `96. Calendar now available on a quarterly basis.
Measurement of Success:
* Electronic Valley Calendar on line
*The number and variety of events included in the Calendar continues to grow
*The number of meeting and event conflicts declines
*There is increased attendance at community meetings and events
*The number of people who pick up copies of the Calendar or access it on the Internet increases
[STATUS: First Calendar published and distributed October 1, '96. Calendar is now being published on an ongoing basis on the Electronic Valley]
4. VOTER REGISTRATION....A pilot project in which local companies of the Volunteer Action Center's Corporate Volunteer Council register voters in the workplace, with the goal of increasing voter turnout.
Research Data Shows: 86% of registered voters vote, but only 61% of Valley residents are registered
Project Captain: Pat Tarasovic, Volunteer Action Center
Completion Date: Pilot phase completed in November `96
Measurement of Success:
* Number of registered voters increases
* Number of voters increases
[STATUS: Corporate Volunteer Council spearheaded the effort which registered almost 100 new voters for the '96 election]
5. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS....Work to advance and promote the efforts of the Volunteer Action Center and its Corporate and High School Volunteer Councils.
[Status: Both Councils are working on Healthy Valley initiatives, specifically Voter Registration and the Community Calendar]
6. VALLEY SENIOR-YOUTH CONNECTION....An effort to bring a team of Americorps youth to the Valley to work alongside Valley youth to improve life for the Valley's elderly.
[Status: Planning is under way]
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Mission: Increase awareness and utilization of arts, cultural and recreational options in the Valley, and develop existing resources such as the rivers.
7. VALLEY GUIDE TO ARTS, CULTURE & RECREATION....Publish and distribute a Guide on the Electronic Valley web site, as well as in hard copy.
Survey Data Shows: Majority of Valley residents feel there aren't enough arts and entertainment offerings in the Valley. Half of Valley residents are willing to pay higher taxes to improve arts and recreation in the Valley.
Project Captain: Arts & Recreation Team
Completion Date: June `96 for putting rough draft of Guide on Internet. May '98 for publishing hard copies of Guide
Measurement of Success:
* Number of people accessing Guide on the Internet continues to rise
* Usage of local attractions increases
* Number of requests for Guide increases
[STATUS: Guide is available on the Electronic Valley. 10,000 copies of the Guide were printed through a grant from the Katharine Matthies Foundation. 25,000 copies were printed gratis as an insert in the Valley Gazette and Huntington Herald]
8. VALLEY HERITAGE DRIVING TOUR....Develop a self-guided tour that include a range of historicValley attractions.
Survey Data Shows: Majority of Valley residents feel there aren't enough arts & entertainment offerings in the Valley
Project Captain: Jack Walsh, Valley United Way
Completion Date: April, 99
Measurement of Success:
* Number of people who take the tours continues to increase
* Number of people who utilize attractions included in the tours increases
[STATUS: Valley Heritage Driving Tour is complete]
9. RIVER EVENT....Organize an event along the river in conjunction with the New Haven Rowing Club, which incudes side trips to local Valley attractions.
Survey Data Shows: Majority of Valley residents feel there aren't enough arts and entertainment offerings in the Valley
Project Captain: Rick Dunne, Derby Economic Development & Nancy Valentine
Completion Date: October, 2000
Measurement of Success:
* Attendance of 500 or more at event
[STATUS: Committee is planning the event]
10. LINEAR PARK ....Develop a linear park for walking and jogging along the rivers, for all ages to enjoy.
Survey Data Shows: Majority of Valley residents feel there aren't enough arts and entertainment offerings in the Valley
Project Captain:
Completion Date:
Measurement of Success:
* The park is well utilized by a range of populations and ages
[STATUS: The Housatonic Valley Association has conducted a feasibility study and mapped out a route along the Naugatuck River which includes the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and possibly Beacon Falls. The greenway is under way in each town]
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Mission: To promote and improve community health and well-being through the provision of affordable and accessible health services.
11. PROJECT CoNECT (HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT / HEALTH SCREENING PROJECT)....To identify individuals and populations at risk for various health problems, link people in need with community services, create programs around identified needs, and provide benchmark data with which to measure changes in the health of the population.
Health Data Shows: Overall, the Valley population is much healthier than the state of CT. Therefore, an emphasis should be placed on wellness initiatives
Project Captain: Daun Barrett, Valley Parish Nurse Program
Completion Date: February '00
Measurement of Success:
* 5,000 assessments / screenings completed
* 1,000 residents in need of primary care or health services connected to needed service
* Health behavior of respondents improves
* Effective programs are designed around identified needs
[STATUS: Grant received from Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Committee of 16 partner agencies is implementing the project]
12. SMOKE-FREE RESTAURANT INITIATIVE....Work with VSAAC, Heart Association and Health Department to increase the number of smoke-free restaurants in the Valley, and reduce the use of tobacco products in the Valley by supporting anti-tobacco, anti-smoking initiatives.
[STATUS: Over 30 local restaurants have signed on. Kick-Off event with Attorney General Blumenthal held in July of '97. Second event held in '98]
13. INTAKE AND REFERRAL SERVICE....Work with the Valley Council of Health & Human Service Organizations to promote and expand usage of statewide 211 number in the Valley.
Health Data Shows: A high proportion of Valley residents are unaware of available health services
Project Captain: Kathleen Fish, Infoline
Completion Date: Ongoing
Measurement of Success:
* Use of service tracked, including connections to appropriate services
[STATUS: Committee is working on a marketing plan with Infoline to strengthen their I & R system in the Valley, and to improve communication processes among and within provider networks.]
14. MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING OUTREACH....Provide outreach assistance to Griffin Hospital's program, to target as broad a cross section of the population as possible.
Health Data Shows: Only 20% of Valley women over 65 receive mammography screenings
Project Captain: Dr. Stephanie Wain, Griffin Hospital
Completion Date:
Measurement of Success:
* The rate of screenings reaches 30% for women over 65
[STATUS: This initiative is part of the Valley Women's Health Initiative]
15. COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES....Work to advance and promote the following community health initiatives:
* Community Health Connection - provides access to primary medical care by low income residents. Responsible - Bob Kilpatrick, Maureen Schorr
* Ansonia School Based Health Center - provides primary and preventive medical care and health education to 700 high school and middle school students. Responsible - Marlene Nicholas
* Parish Nurse Neighborhood Program - expansion of current 13 parish program to a neighborhood outreach program. Responsible - Daun Barrett
* Mental Health Crisis Team - provides an immediate mental health response to individuals who have been exposed to, or victimized by a traumatic community event. Responsible - Susan DeLeon, Umbrella
* Community Focused Medical Residency Program - re-engineer Griffin Hospital's residency program from internally to community focused to address community and public health issues. Responsible - Patrick Charmel
* Family Violence Task Force - work with Task Force and community organizations to reduce family violence Valley-wide. Responsible - Susan DeLeon, Umbrella
* Community Corporate Cup - promotes company-wide commitment to health, fitness and wellness activities through a series of athletic, recreational and nutritional activities.
Measurement of Success: Above programs established
[STATUS: All these programs are up and running, with representatives from Healthy Valley 2000 on each]
16. ACCIDENTAL DEATHS....Work to develop and support community programs which will reduce the number of accidental deaths in the Valley. (Seymour Ambulance is implementing this project).
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Mission: Provide assistance to businesses looking to locate or expand in the Valley; increase the number of Valley residents employed; make community appearance and image a priority on the community's agenda; continue to integrate existing economic development initiatives.
17. EMPLOYMENT COALITION....To develop a model and system to better match Valley unemployed and entitlement residents to available jobs at Valley employers.
Survey Data Shows: 2/3 of Valley residents feel there are not enough job opportunities in the Valley
Project Captain: John Yeager, Birmingham Group; Bill Powanda, Griffin Hospital
Completion Date: Coalition formed by October '96
Measurement of Success:
* Valley unemployment rate decreases below the state average
[STATUS: Coalition and sub-committees from State DOL are working on action plans. The group is currently lobbying to maintain a state job service presence in the Valley, and is developing a comprehensive plan to better market job services to residents and employers]
18. BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER....Create a centralized location containing comprehensive information on economic development issues in the Valley.
Survey Data Shows: 92% of Valley residents feel the Valley should work together on economic development issues.
Project Captain: Jodi Ann Hinman, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce
Completion Date: Fall '97
Measurement of Success:
* Center established
* Economic development information established on Electronic Valley
[STATUS: Center is up and running at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce]
19. COMPUTERIZED DATABASE / GIS SYSTEM....Create a database that contains information on available commercial land and properties, rental rates, regional and site mapping, etc.
Survey Data Shows: Valley residents feel that local economy should be stronger
Project Captain: Dick Eigen, Valley Regional Planning Authority
Completion Date: Spring '97
Measurement of Success:
* System implemented by completion date
* Number of inquiries and relocations increases
[STATUS: Database is completed]
20. TOURISM DISTRICT....Explore the feasibility of having the 6 Valley towns in one tourism district.
Survey Data Shows: 88% of residents feel that the Valley towns should cooperate more
Project Captain: Dick Eigen, Valley Regional Planning Authority
Completion Date:
Measurement of Success: Feasibility is determined and addressed
[STATUS: Governor has formed a taskforce to study the issue]
21. EXPAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGION....Expand Region to
include all 6 Valley towns
Survey Data Shows: 88% of Valley residents feel that towns should cooperate more
Project Captain: Dick Eigen, Valley Regional Planning Authority
Completion Date: Fall '96
Measurement of Success:
* Beacon Falls becomes part of Corridor Zone
* Beacon Falls and Oxford actively participate in Greater Valley Economic Development Alliance
[STATUS: Beacon Falls and Oxford now participate in the Economic Development Alliance]
22. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE....Cooperate with the Greater Valley Economic Development Alliance to advance and promote economic development initiatives. Support related activities:
* Publish a Guide to economic resources in the Valley
* Organize an economic development conference for businesses
* Develop marketing material for the region
[STATUS: All have been accomplished]
23. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION....Participate in a coordinated community effort related to improving public transportation in the Valley.
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Mission: To promote the value of education, and better utilize the community's resources in the schools
24. EDUCATION COMPONENT OF ELECTRONIC VALLEY....Create a partnership between the schools and the Electronic Valley Team to design and update the Education component of Electronic Valley on an ongoing basis.
Survey Data Shows:
Project Captain:
Completion Date: Ongoing
Measurement of Success: Partnership is formed and content is continually updated
[STATUS: Representatives from 4 Valley school systems have attended training sessions and are working on their Web pages]
25. EDUCATION SUMMIT....Conduct an Education Summit which will bring together educators, students and the public to identify concrete action initiatives to improve education in the Valley.
Project Captain: Loretta Rubin, Irving School and Pat Tarasovic, Volunteer Action Center.
Completion Date: May '98
Measurement of Success: Concrete initiatives are identified and implemented to improve the quality of education in the Valley
[STATUS: A Community Conversation on Education event, funded by the Graustein Memorial Fund, was held in May 1998]
26. MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM...Establish a Valley-wide mini-grants program that incorporates parental and community involvement.
Project Captain: Pat Tarasovic, Volunteer Action Center.
Completion Date: January '00
Measurement of Success: Parents and community resources are brought into the schools as a result of the grants.
STATUS: [Committee distributed $10,000 in mini-grants to 23 projects in the Valley. Program was funded by Pitney Bowes and Senator Joe Crisco]
Mission: To promote the values and principles set forth by America's Promise -- the Alliance for Youth, in the Valley community.
27. PRESIDENTS' SUMMIT COMMITMENTS....Ask all companies, organizations and agencies in the community to make commitments to improve the quality of life in the Valley, as a follow-up to the Presidents' Summit for America's Future.
[Status: Approximately 30 commitments have been received so far]
28. YOUTH SUB-COMMITTEE....has been formed by the Valley Council of Health & Human Service Organizations and Healthy Valley 2000. The committee is loking at ways to address the 5 principles of America's Promise. The committee is planning a Valley-wide Youth Summit to address the needs of the Valley's youth.
Project Captain: Pat Tarasovic, Volunteer Action Center.
STATUS: [The committee is planning the Youth Summit]
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