Coalition for Healthy Communities

A special community partnership in cooperation with Midwestern Regional Medical Center and all of the entities serving the citizens of Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor, Zion and the surrounding area.

---

Our Mission

"Leading our communities in a collaborative effort to improve identified health, wellness and social issues.

History of the Coalition

In 1995, recognizing that community residents are deeply concerned about health care issues that extend beyond the walls of a hospital, the administration of Midwestern Regional Medical Center invited a group of leaders to assemble to discuss ideas to improve the health and wellness of our community. The group agreed that there are many issues that affect nearly all residents and over a period of months the community leaders completed a needs assessment in order to establish priorities. While recognizing there are many other concerns, the following issues were agreed upon for initial focus:

• Substance Abuse (including tobacco and alcohol)
• Teen Pregnancy
• Immunizations for young children
• Access to primary health care

Agreement was also reached on the following:

1. Mission Statement--"Leading our communities in a collaborative effort to improve identified health, wellness and social issues."
2. Initial Coalition energy will center on two priorities:
• Reducing Substance Abuse (including tobacco and alcohol)
• Improving immunization compliance for young children
3. Coalition efforts will concentrate on the residents and communities within the geographical boundaries of Zion-Benton Township High School (Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor, Zion and a portion of Newport Township).
4. Coalition efforts are to be guided by a group of leaders representing all of our communities who will form a steering committee.
5. This will be a volunteer effort. Although supported by Midwestern Regional Medical Center, there will be no paid staff and members of the steering committee must be dedicated to volunteer community service.
6. The steering committee will meet a maximum of six times per year, with the Board of Directors and officers meeting more frequently. Membership on the steering committee will be open to additional interested volunteer leaders.
7. The Coalition will be led by a Board of Directors elected by the steering committee.
8. The CHC has adopted official by-laws, is incorporated by the State of Illinois and has applied for 501-C-3 status with the I.R.S.

Substance Abuse Initiative

Substance abuse is an issue which confronts everyone everyday. We see how it impacts familites, schools, business and is the major contributor to all crime related incidents. To improve the current situation, while striving for a long-term solution, the Coalition has established the following goals and objectives:

Long-Term Goal

• No Use of Illegal Drugs
• No Illegal Use or Misuse of Legal Drugs

Substance Abuse Objectives

• To unite and involve our communities with consistent policies to achieve our goal
• To unite and involve our schools/school districts for the purpose of achieving our goal for youth
• To increase knowledge and change attitudes of our youth and community towards the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
• To increase knowledge and change attitudes towards the dangers of marijuana
• To reduce use of all tobacco products by youth age 17 and under
• To support efforts by our law enforcement agencies to decrease drug-related incidents
• To adopt a multicultural/diversity approach to prevention and intervention strategies
• To increase the knowledge of and access to intervention and treatment resources

Immunization Project

Outcome Objective: To improve immunization compliance to 90% or higher for children 0-2 years of age. (Note: 1995-96 compliance levels--Lake County 67.8%, Zion/Beach Park 72.9%, Winthrop Harbor 84.5%.)

Impact Objective: By 1997 our communities will be served by multiple sites providing low-cost immunizations to children 0-2 years of age and school entrants.

Community Initiatives

• Sponsor Town Meetings or open forums to listen to concerns and ideas and to present pertinent information.
• Provide increased sites for low-cost immunizations for young children.
• Serve as the primary organization to assist members of our communities with education and awareness about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD).
• Sponsor or co-sponsor programs in all area schools.
• Seek grant funds to support Coalition initiatives.
• Coordinate numerous community activities during the annual Red Ribbon Week.
• Lead our communities in promoting a consistent no-toleration message regarding no use of illegal drugs and no illegal use or misuse of legal drugs.
• Monitor the appropriateness of local media messages about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
• Support the Faith Community in their efforts to put forth a consistent message about substance abuse.
• Develop a speakers bureau.
• Provide specific targeted information about tobacco and marijuana.
• Support administration of a comprehensive student survey assessing youth attitudes towards and use of ATOD.
• Sponsor or co-sponsor community activities/celebrations that do not include alcohol or other drugs.
• Serve as the vehicle to encourage positive adult emulation and modeling for our children and youth.
• Support the development of parent communication and prevention networks in our schools.
• Sponsor communication and strategy sessions for elected officials and employees of law enforcement agencies.
• Publish resource materials and initiate media information.

1997 Board of Directors

Steering Committee

Coalition for Healthy Communities