ABOUT "THE NETWORK"

Joanne Joy, Southern Kennebec Healthy Communities

Our Values: We believe that the greatest opportunity to improve the health and well being of Maine's people and communities lies in our ability to collaborate effectively, thereby maximizing both learning opportunities and resources. We believe that public health cannot be accomplished through a competitive bidding process.

We believe that a healthy Maine promotes:

• Quality health care services for all stages of the life cycle
• Safe and affordable housing
• A diverse economy with jobs that offer a living wage
• Excellent educational opportunities, responsible child care, accessible public transportation and diverse recreational facilities
• Respect for natural resources and the community's historical and cultural roots
• Public processes that give all residents a voice in decisions affecting their community
• Active engagement among people of all races, cultures and religions
• Providing data-based information to policy makers

MNHC works at both the local and statewide levels to improve Maine's health and quality of life through four core functions:

     Policy and Resources: We actively promote public policy changes that will improve the health and well being of Maine's people and communities. We look for new ways to mobilize Maine's many community assets. We pursue public and private funding that will assist us in the pursuit of our mission. We educate, communicate, inspire unity, and act as a catalyst for positive change.

     Data and Indicators: We work with organizations that collect data to determine what data should be collected, to ensure that needed data is collected, and to make sure that the data collected is a true measure of healthy and quality of life changes in Maine.

     Training and Capacity Building: We work to develop training and capacity building opportunities in order to strengthen healthy community coalitions at the local level across the state. We do this through assessment of needs, mentoring, and partnering with others regarding workforce training and educational opportunities.

     Visibility and Communication: We communicate the importance of working collaboratively and effectively toward a better public health system. We educate at both the state and local levels on effective ways to improve the quality of life for the people of Maine.

Our members and partners: The Network's membership (M) includes Healthy Community and PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health) Coalitions located throughout the state, and our partners (P) include Healthy Maine Partnerships and other organizations and categorical coalitions. Please click highlighted coalition names to view linked websites, or profiles as PDF files.

Joanne Joy, Chair (M) Southern Kennebec Healthy Communities Natalie Morse, Co-Vice Chair (M) Greater Waterville PATCH Lisa Laflin, Co-Vice Chair (M) Healthy Community Coalition, Greater Franklin County Dona Forke, Secretary (M) Lake Region Healthy Communities Coalition Robin Mayo, Treasurer (M) Piscataquis Public Health Council Audrey York (M) Vital Pathways Diane Brandon (M) Community Wellness Coalition, S. York County Gladys Richardson (M) Healthy Futures (pdf) Paula Perry (M) Schoodic Healthy Communities Dawn Littlefield (M) Sebasticook Valley Healthy Communities Janet Spencer (M) Partnerships for Healthy Communities Greater Bangor Region Patricia Duguay (M) River Valley Healthy Community Coalition Mary Jane Bush (M) Bucksport Community Health Advisory Committee Rachel Charette (M) St. John Valley PATCH

Meredith Gray (M) Healthy Island Project/Stonington-Deer Isle Susan Crippen (M) North Country Healthy Communities Denise Delorie (M) Fairfield Healthy Communities Barbara Peppey (M) Healthy Peninsula Project Helena Peterson (M) Union River Healthy Communities Michael Crooker (M) The River Coalition Carol Bell (M) Partnership for a Healthy Community (Presque Isle) Kathy Boucher (P) Acadia Health Education Coalition Doug Diekman (P) American Cancer Society Joyce Knorr & Jamie Owens, MSB (P) Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. Tom Godfrey (P) Community Health Initiatives, Maine Primary Care Assoc. Ken Morse (P) Healthy Oxford Hills Dianne McMullen (P) Mt. Desert Nursing Association Madeleine Martin (P) Penobscot Nation Health Department Bo Yerxa (P) Maine AIDS Education & Training Center

© MNHC 2003. All rights reserved.