Health Equity Partnership seeks feedback

Communities to weigh in on a shared vision of a healthy region

Thehealth Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts, also referred to as CHNA9, is looking for the input of 27 communities across the region as it crafts the Community Health Improvement Plan throughout March.

The CHIP is designed to be a “bridge between the most pressing needs in the community and a vision of a thriving North Central region where everyone feels safe, valued, and connected,” CHNA9 said in a press release. To ensure this is the case, CHNA9 is holding seven community meetings for area residents to share their feedback.

CHNA9 Executive Directly Chelsey Patriss said the CHIP is, “made by residents reflecting the diversity of the region and who share the power and responsibility to create the community of their dreams.”

“We are looking forward to hearing directly from people in our communities. Our current CHIP update will include the lessons learned during the pandemic as well as integrating climate-related health issues in our region,” she added in a press release.

Meetings are set to last for 2.5 hours and seek to offer participants a chance to learn about CHNA9’S current activities and share feedback on what needs to be done to accomplish a shared vision of a healthy region.

There will be in- person meetings in five locations across the region, and community members are welcome to register for and attend the one most convenient for them:

• North middle sex at the Townsend meeting hall on Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m.

• East Quabbin at the Barre Library on Tuesday, March 14 at 5 p.m.

• Greater gardner at the Clark Memorial YMCA in Winchendon on Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

• Fitchburg/ Leominster at the Spanish American Center in Leominster on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m.

• Clinton/ Wachusett Area at the Clinton Adult Learning Center on Thursday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m.

A region-wide virtual (Zoom) meeting on Thursday, March 9 at 2 p.m. and

a region-wide in- person meeting at the Doubletree Hotel in Leominster on Friday, March 24 at 11 a.m. are also planned.

Events are free, but advance registration is required. Food, child care, interpretation, transpor tat ion and other accomodations can be made available upon request. For more information or to register visit chna9. com/ north- central- chip/.