History

The Carver County Health Partnership (CCHP) started with a commitment between Ridgeview Medical Center and Carver County Community Health to bring key people and organizations together to solve critical county health issues.  The initial partnership was formed to gather and analyze health information for better decision making.  In September 2000, key community leaders from various organizations met to formulate a vision, focus on key health issues and develop recommendations. The results of the CCHP Leadership Committee were shared and presented at a community forum on May 15, 2001. At that time, the partnership recommended utilizing four separate task forces/action teams to accomplish its goals:

• Children's Mental Health
• Youth Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
• Adult Wellness
• Senior Health

The action teams were each focused on improving the health and well-being of county residents. Committees were recruited and began work in early 2002. The work of the initial four action teams was wrapped up in late 2006 as their recommendations were implemented by various community groups and organizations.  Following is an overview of each of the four action teams. 

Children's Mental Health Action Team

Vision

Each child in Carver County will achieve optimal mental health through positive connections within his/her family and/or community.

Mission 

To increase the level of mental health among Carver County children by identifying, developing, promoting and supporting connected family and community environments. 

Goals

• Increase community awareness of the definition and importance of connected families and communities.
• Mobilize and equip parents, youth and other community resources to build family and community connections.
• Increase the prevalence of connected families and communities.
• Develop and/or replicate effective models of building connection.

Definition of Connectedness

Connection happens in relationships of mutual caring and giving, knowing and enjoying. 

For children, connected positive relationships develop over time when adults enjoy, guide, love and care for children. 

Values

• Connections to family, community and purpose are key to positive mental health.
• Our efforts will be best focused on the prevention of mental health problems rather than identification and treatment.
• The best starting place is for our own committee to model making intentional connections with our children as well as other children within the community. 
• The energy and movement to build connections must be community driven vs. driven by mental health professionals.
• We recognize that not all families have the capacity or willingness to connect with their children.  It is essential that other adults are willing and available to care and connect with children living in this type of situation. 

Rational

Too many children...

• are growing up at risk for mental health problems.
• have a preventable mental health diagnosis / problem.
• are engaging in risk-taking behaviors (alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sexual activity).
• lack life skills and positive values.

• are disconnected from their families.

• Cultural norms that lead to disconnectedness.
• Too many activities reinforce disconnection between children and families.
• Too few resources are devoted to proactive, preventive efforts.

Achievements

• The Eat.Talk.Connect! Initiative sponsored by this Action Team challenged families to eat together at least three times a week for three months.  Research shows that children in families that regularly connect around meals are less likely to engage in at-risk behaviors and more likely to do well in school. Schools, churches and community organizations embraced Eat.Talk.Connect!  More than 1,000 Carver County Families (5,000 people) registered to participate in the challenge and many report continuing the practice of family meals to this day.  A highlight of the initiative was a community-wide meal that served more than 700 at one table at the County Fair Grounds.  Other communities are now adopting their own version of Eat. Talk. Connect!  Local businesses, health organizations and individuals all contributed to the remarkable success of this venture.

Action Team Representation

• District 112 Early Childhood Family Education
• Chaska School District 112
• Bluff Creek Elementary
• Carver County Community Health
• Carver Scott Educational Cooperative
• Carver County Mental Health
• Cross Generation
• Moravian Church
• Carver County First Street Center

Parent Information and Resources

• This guide is a helpful tool for families.  www.family.samhsa.gov
• The Shoulder to Shoulder campaign is an effort to partner with parents of teens. The website provides resources and ideas. www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org
• CAP Agency Resource Directory.  www.capagency.org

Research & Data

• The National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention is a training and technical assistance center for Federal grantees working to promote mental health and prevent youth violence among children, their families, and other adults.  www.promoteprevent.org
• The Center for Excellence in Children's Mental Health is a center within the University of Minnesota devoted to providing information, collaboration and research around children's mental health issues.  www.cmh.umn.edu
• The Minnesota Student Survey data for Carver County is available at: www.mnschoolhealth.com
• The University of Minnesota's Children, Youth and Family Consortium contains helpful research and links.  www.cyfc.umn.edu
• National Mental Health Information Center.  Click here: Youth mental health facts, mental health information center 
• Report on the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health-A National Action Agenda:  www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/cmh/childreport.html
• Minnesota Mental Health Action Group: http://www.citizensleague.org/what/committees/mmhag/
• The Focal Point Newsletter from 2000 on Early Intervention in Children's Mental Health: Other Focal Point newsletters are also here.   www.nccic.acf.hhs.gov
• ETR & Associates has published a literature review around the importance of family connectedness.  Click here: http://www.etr.org
• Backpack Notes Series: The Children's Mental Health Action Team has published a series of articles in local newspapers.

Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drugs Action Team

Mission

To reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among our youth by mobilizing the community to work together to expand developmental assets, to speak out against illegal substance use, and to create safe and supportive environments where more of our youth make healthier lifestyle choices.

Goals

• Increase community awareness of the harmful consequences of substance use.
• Increase chemical-free gathering places for our youth.
• Mobilize youth, parents, and other community resources to work together in the support of substance use prevention and treatment initiatives.

Accomplishments and Activities

• Increased Action Team membership to include a greater representation: Youth, Parents, Business Community, Media, Schools, Youth Organizations, Law Enforcement, Faith Community, Service Organizations, Healthcare, Governmental Agencies, and other community groups.
• The CCHP - ATOD Action Team was awarded approximately $100,000 to support Project CAFES (a Drug-Free Communities Support Grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Office of Drug Control Policy).
• Established the Youth Advisory Board for the Youth Gathering Place.
• Held several community planning meetings to organize and implement the Youth Gathering Place. Conducted first event April 2, 2004 in collaboration with other youth facilities in the community.
• Established the ATOD Media Subcommittee and developed a comprehensive media plan. Published articles, participated in the Carver County Health & Safety Fair, and facilitated youth presentations at local service organizations such as Lions and Rotary Clubs.
• Worked with the Carver Scott Education Cooperative to conduct a three day training for Project SUCCESS (a comprehensive chemical health prevention/intervention program targeted to youth at risk for ATOD use/abuse) for all Chemical Health Specialists and others working with youth.

Action Team Representation/Partnerships

• Carver County Attorney's Office
• Parent & Court Services
• Community Health Services/Public Health
• Carver County Court Services
• Carver County Social Services & Waconia School District
• Solace Academy - Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative (CSEC)
• Waconia School District
• Chaska School District
• Ridgeview Foundation
• Haven Chemical Health Systems
• Belle Plaine School District
• Cross Generations
• Carver County Social Services
• Vitality Family Chiropractic
• League of Women Voters, Justice Advisory Committee
• Perk Up Coffee Shop, JSAW Xtreme Youth Center
• Jafvert Mueller Architects, Inc.
• Westwood Community Church
• Carver County Sheriff
• Tree House
• Youth Gathering Place
• Minnetonka Community Education
• Carver County Deputy

Adult & Worksite Health Promotion Action Team

Mission

To increase the quality of life and the life expectancy of adults ages 19-65 in the workplace and beyond using the holistic health model:  "Integration of body, mind, and spirit."  The holistic model will be a living guide to both individuals and worksite communities.

Goals

The Adult & Worksite Health Promotion Action Team is dedicated to building relationships with local and regional worksites to foster employee health and well-being.

Accomplishments and Current Projects

The Action Team was the catalyst of a collaborative worksite effort to sponsor "Healthy Employees, Healthy Bottom Line," a workshop promoting worksite health to Carver County worksites in 2003.

3 Carver County worksites welcomed and mentored 7 new worksites in Active Worksites 2004, an 8-week worksite physical activity program. Participating worksites:

• Citizens State Bank; Norwood, Young America 
• City of Waconia; Waconia
• Crown College; Saint Boniface
• First National Bank, Chaska
• MANSSCO; Chanhassen
• Maximum Graphics; Chaska
• Melchert/Title Mark; Waconia
• Ridgeview Medical Center; Waconia
• Custom Formulations; Cologne

Four Learning Sessions provided a time for the Active Worksites participants to share and problem solve the issues that accompany the "doing" of prevention in the workplace.
Two employer surveys and three employee surveys were conducted with Active    Worksites' participants in order to plan future efforts.
Articles in the Norwood Times and Waconia Patriot supported the Active Worksites efforts.
Action Team members made informative presentations to four Chambers of Commerce.         
A Compassion Capital Fund Project (CCFP) grant of $7,400 was received for a workshop focus on relating ethics and values to health in the workplace.  The Action Team attended classes at Hamline University's Non-Profit Institute as a part of the CCFP grant.

Partnerships 

• Advantage Wellness
• American Heart Association
• Carver County Community Health Services
• Carver County Parks
• Carver County Human Resources
• Chaska Parks & Recreation
• Crown College
• Preferred One
• University of MN Landscape Arboretum
• Waconia Chamber of Commerce
• Studio Arts
• Watertown Chamber of Commerce
• Ridgeview Medical Center

Resources

Articles

"The Right Direction," Advanta
"Seven Predictions that will Shape the Future of Workplace Wellness," Advantage Wellness/March 2002, www.welcoa.org
ge Wellness, www.welcoa.org
"101 Ways to Worksite Wellness," Advantage Wellness, www.welcoa.org
"Seven Benchmarks of Success," www.welcoa.org

County Support

Carver County Community Health Services: www.co.carver.mn.us
Hennepin County Community Health Services: www.co.hennepin.mn.us
Carver County Parks:  www.co.carver.mn.us
MN Landscape Arboretum:  www.arboretum.umn.edu

Fitness

Safari Island:  www.safariisland.org
Victoria Community Center: www.ci.victoria.mn.us/fieldhouse.htm

Consultation

Carver County Community Health Services: www.co.carver.mn.us
Ridgeview Business Health:  www.ridgeviewmedical.org
WELCOA (Wellness Council of America):  www.welcoa.org
Pharmaceutical Care Associates, Inc.: 3137 Hennepin Ave. So., Minneapolis; 612-827-2210.

Education: 

American Heart Association:  www.heart.org

Dist. #112 Community Education/Business:  www.chaska.k12.mn.us

Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative/Workforce Development Center:  www.co.scott.mn.us

Crown College:  www.crown.edu

Minnesota Department of Health:  www.state.mn.us

MN Diabetes Association:  www.diabetes.org

Insurance Providers

Allina:  www.allina.com

Blue Cross of MN:  www.bluecrossmn.com

HealthPartners: www.healthpartners.com

Preferred One:  www.preferredone.com

Counseling Centers

First Street Center:  www.co.carver.mn.us

Senior Commission

Mission/Vision

Each community in Carver County will value their senior citizens by promoting opportunities for seniors and by celebrating their vital involvement and contributions.  Strategies to support this vision include:

• Involving seniors in community-based decision-making and planning.
• Addressing access to multi-generational housing, transportation and healthcare.
• Encouraging educational, economic, social, recreational and spiritual activities and services.

Goals

• Raise awareness about the growing number of seniors in Carver County and the implications of that growth.
• Create a vision for "senior friendly communities" in Carver County.
• Mobilize seniors, elected officials, city staff and community leaders to plan and prepare for the needs and contributions of seniors.

Accomplishments

• Held a "Mayor's Forum" to inform local mayors about the importance of creating "senior-friendly" communities.
• Met with city planners to provide information and gather input around planning for senior friendliness. 
• Held an "elected leaders" session to share information and get ideas about senior-friendliness in Carver County.
• Assisted with the formation of the questions for the senior portion of the Carver County Quality of Life report.
• Served as an impetus for establishment of a Norwood Young America Senior Commission. 
• Gave presentations and hosted an information table at the 2003 Senior Expo. 
• Helped facilitate grant funding for a very successful senior exercise and medication management program in Carver County. 
• Received a $9,200 Minneapolis Foundation grant to begin a planning process for a Master Plan of Aging in Carver County.  This grant can be continued for two additional years with implementation funding of $30,000-$40,000 each year.  
• Identified various models of Master Plans and Senior-Friendly Communities for potential use in Carver County. 
• Hosted a countywide "Senior Planning Summit" in May 2004 to kick off a master planning process.
• Conducted "Senior-friendliness" surveys in Carver County cities to be used as a basis for planning. 
• Worked with the Carver County Planning Department to conduct a Quality of Life Survey with a "senior friendliness" component.
• Worked with the Norwood Young America Chamber of Council to bring in Amy Wilde to speak about the importance of Senior Friendliness to business and government.

Action Team Representation/Partners                                                                                    

MN Area on Aging

Carver County HRA

Carver County Social Services

Ridgeview Medical Center

Ridgeview Foundation

Elim Home

Carver County Health Services

Auburn Courts
Auburn Manor
Carver County Community Health Services
Citizen Representatives: Norwood, Young America, Waconia, Chanhassen, Chaska

Resources

Communities with Senior-Readiness or Masterplans

The 2020 Community Plan on Aging: Jefferson Area Board on Aging, 674 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 9, Charlottesville, VA  22901, http://www.jabacares.org,

Communities for a Lifetime: Since 2000, more than 60 Florida cities, towns and counties have committed themselves to creating a better place for older adults to live, providing all residents with the opportunity to achieve their full potential and contribute to the betterment of their communities.  The initiative is based on the Master Plan on Aging 2002-2004 and is spearheaded and resourced by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs,  (850) 414-2000, e-mail communities@elderaffairs.org, www.adrcbroward.org/communitiesforalifetime

Lifelong Communities Initiative: A Lifelong Community prepares and develops its community to better serve elders through collaboration among local leaders, businesses, organizations and government agencies. This initiative encourages successful aging and ensures the security, dignity and independence for Kansans of all ages.  Kansas Department on Aging, 800-432-3535,  www.agingkansas.org

Community COMPASS: a planning process begun by the Hamilton County Planning Partnership - a ground-breaking alliance of governments and planning commissions in Hamilton County, Ohio as well as civic and private sector organizations engaged in planning for the future. Although not specific to senior friendly planning, the process outlined through Community COMPASS is very detailed and helpful.  Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, County Administration Building, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202-1237, (513) 946-4500, Fax (513) 946-4475.

Orange County Master Aging Plan: Orange County North Carolina has developed a comprehensive county-wide Master Aging Plan. www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/housingforum.pdf

Senior-Friendly Communities and Programs

• AdvantAge Initiative:  The AdvantAge Initiative helps counties, cities, and towns prepare for the growing number of older adults who are "aging in place" while creating livable communities for people of all ages. Pilot communities include Northwest Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Lincoln Square Neighborhood, NYC, NY; Maricopa County, AZ; Orange County, Florida; Puyallup, Washington; Santa Clarita, California; Upper West Side, NYC, NY; Yonkers, New York.  http://www.vnsny.org/advantage
• Elder Friendly Business Certification:  Elders in Action, 501 SW Washington St. Portland, OR 97204, http://www.elderfriendly.com, PH: 503-823-5269 FAX: 503-823-5826 E-mail: volunteer@eldersaction.org
• Health Canada Senior Friendly Communities Campaign:  The Division of Aging and Seniors provides federal leadership in areas pertaining to aging and seniors. The Division serves as a focal point for information and center of expertise. Division of Aging and Seniors, Population Health Directorate, Health Canada, Address Locator 1908A1, Ottawa, Ontario KlA 1B4.
• Minnesota Board on Aging:  The MBA promotes building community partnerships that provide information and access to services, affordable and efficient community services, and consumers choice in quality home and community-based options. The MBA is working with the Area Agencies on Aging, ElderCare Development Partnerships, and local communities to help communities take stock of their senior assets and to explore ways to increase volunteer-supported and other lower cost services.  MBA, 444 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155-3843, Toll Free Number: 1-800-882-6262  Phone: 651-296-2770, Fax: 651-297-7855, www.managing.org/community/index.html 
• Vital Aging Network (VAN):  a network of individuals who are sharing their strengths to promote and support the self-sufficiency, community participation, and quality of life of older adults.  VAN has developed a short video highlighting several senior-friendly communities in Minnesota.  http://wwwvan.umn.edu,
• Creating Communities of Support for Kent County's Aging Population:  Grant Rapids Community Foundation, December 2002.  The full report highlights various senior friendly initiatives and can be downloaded from the website; http://www.gvsu.edu/philanthropy/cri/publications/pdfs/aging_population.pdf

Community Assessment Tools

• Community Capacity Building:  What Does It Really Mean?:  Mid-Minnesota, MN Board on Aging, Living at Home Block Nurse Program
• Is Our Community Senior Ready?:  MN Board on Aging, http://www.mnaging.org/community/index.html
• AdvantAge Initiative Survey:  The AdvantAge Initiative helps counties, cities, and towns prepare for the growing number of older adults who are "aging in place" while creating livable communities for people of all ages. http://www.vnsny.org/advantage/survey.html
• Is Your Community Senior Friendly?  Vital Aging in Vital Communities:  Significant Factors
• Building Communities Where Older Adults Thrive  Highlights of a Survey of Older Adults in Ramsey County June 2004:  Ramsey County Community Human Services and the Wilder Foundation's Community Services for the Elderly  www.wilder.org/research 651-647-4600.
• Survey of the Strengths and Needs of Older Adults in Boulder County June 1998:  Boulder County Aging Services Division, PO Box 471, Boulder, Colorado 80306  (303) 441-3570, http://www.co.boulder.co.us/cs/ag/resources.html
• Liveable Communities:  An Evaluation Guide:  Published by AARP, Author Patricia Baron Pollak of Cornell University.