Over 250 social work students and representatives of Greater Brockton Area human service agencies gathered at Bridgewater State College for an "Ideas Into Action" conference at the in the Rondileau Campus Center on April 30, 2009. The conference addressed health and community priorities and provided an opportunity for participants to collaborate on specific action plans. The event was co-sponsored by Community Solutions, the Brockton CHNA, the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, Community Connections of Brockton, Brockton's Promise and the Southeast Center for Healthy Communities. Featured speakers included Healthy City Fall River coordinator Dr. David Weed and Director the the Governor's Office of Civic Engagement Ron Bell. For more information about the conference, contact Mark R. Frey, Executive Director, Community Connections of Brockton at 508-583-5631.

(Top row, left ) United Way of Greater Plymouth County President Dennis Carman, M.S.W. holds an antique light bulb to illustrate the theme of ideas for the conference. (Top row, center) Women's Health Network Coordinator Nancy Deluca and Brockton Neighborhood Health Center COO Linda Gabruk, M.S.W., who are active in the Brockton CHNA and helped to plan the conference, welcome conference participants. (Top row, right) Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria, Ed.D. receives an award from Social Work Department Chairman Spener Zeiger, Ph.D., and Mr. Carman. (Middle row, left) Mark Frey, Executive Director of Community Connections of Brockton thanks those involved in planning the conference. (Middle row, right) Healthy City Fall River coordinator David S. Weed, Psy.D., delivers the morning address describing the accomplishments to-date of the five-year-old initiative. (Bottom row, left and center) Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Communities Director Peter Lee leads a discussion on the Unnatural Causes video series as DPH Program Coordinator for the Chronic Disease Prevention and Promotion Programs Maria Evora-Rosa, MSW, and others participate. (Bottom row, right) Peter Lee meets with Ron Bell, Director of the Governor's Office of Civic Engagement before giving his concluding remarks at the conference.