The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on January 27, 2014 that a community-based partnership led by the City of New Bedford Health Department, the Southeastern Health Initiative for Transformation (SHIFT) Program, in collaboration with the City of Fall River, has been selected by the Patrick Administration to receive grant funding and participate in an innovative health and wellness initiative. The Administration announced more than $40 million in grants that will be shared by nine partnerships across the state to help fight chronic illness and improve health outcomes on the community level while reducing health care costs. Funded partnerships will work to reduce rates of the most prevalent and preventable health conditions, advance healthy behaviors, increase the adoption of workplace wellness or health management programs and address disparities. Under Chapter 224, the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF) will work to reduce tobacco use, hypertension, pediatric asthma, falls among the elderly, mental health issues/depression, and substance abuse. Descriptions of the grant requirement including a proposed timeline, data briefs, and a descripton of the advisory board members, meeting dates and responsibilities are available on Mass Comm-Pass.

(Top row, left) New Bedford Public Health Director Dr. Brenda Weis leads a collaboration of organizations serving the Cities of New Bedford and Fall River that began meeting in September to develop a response to the invitation for proposals. (Top row, right) PAACA Director Carl Alves makes some suggestions for developing a strong program as New Bedford Housing Authority Director Steve Beauregard listens. (Middle row) Members of the collaborative listen as Rev. David Lima offers some models for organizing the effort over the next three years. (Row three) Dr. Weis recommends a schedule of committee meetings as members work with their chairs to schedule their next meeting. (Bottom row) Members of the collaborative meet on September 11, 2013 to develop a proposal for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund submission in November.