Coalitions

Addressing Health Issues at a Local Level

Addressed hunger by reaching 641 individuals through the Healthy Options program, 370 individuals/SNAP recipients through the Fruit and Veggie Bucks program with local grocery stores, and over 500 recipients of discounted fruits and vegetables through the seasonal Adams County Farmers Market FMNP and SNAP double dollars programs.
Completed a dashboard of indicators to track food insecurity and other food policy initiatives in Adams County. Completed, printed, and distributed our newly updated Local Food Guide and completed an educational video about our food policy council.
Engaged hundreds of community members in Community Wellness Connections with help from the Behavioral Health Task Force and Suicide Prevention Committee, focused on four dimensions of health (mind, body, spirit, and community). Activities included a virtual screening of the film "Angst" which focused on anxiety among children and adolescents, a virtual annual health summit on Mental Health and Wellness topics, a virtual suicide prevention forum and other wellness topics.
Engaged over 500 community members in self-serve and scheduled free walking parties, scheduled summer, and winter hikes as well as virtual strength training, were offered through COVID-19.

Under the Franklin Forward Task Force (established in May 2020), the coalition led COVID-19 re-opening and recovery planning efforts. The task force made recommendations based on needs assessment/gap analysis, sector review, and key informant interviews. The task force released a report of priority recommendations in August 2021.
The Coalition contracted with Franklin County Government to design and administer the process for awarding CARES Act funding to social service agencies. The county commissioners awarded $1.12 million to 45 agencies.
The Coalition’s Nutrition, Physical Activity and Weight Status Task Force collaborated with WellSpan Health Community Health team to design and implement a free 12-week virtual health and wellness program encouraged community members to increase physical activity, eat healthy and reduce stress over the winter months. This unique opportunity to design and pilot a "systemwide" project with community stakeholders engaged a total of 254 individuals in a series of workshops. Nearly 2,000 unique visitors accessed web-based presentations and resources housed on the coalition's website.

Facilitated the County Public Health Department Feasibility study as requested by the County Commissioners; which was a recommendation by the YOCO Strong Report in 2020.
Hosted two COVID-19 Community Resource webinars to inform and present information on York County’s response to COVID-19.
Participated and advised the COVID-19 Response Fund in partnership with York County Community Foundation and United Way of York County.  Specific focus on Housing issues related to COVID-19 pandemic.

With various community partners, the Hub conducted a series of video interviews on various health care issues, emotional and self-help topics, educational and community resource awareness.  These videos helped educate, inform and connect residents during the COVID-19 crisis.
Introduced the “Talk Tank”, an innovative approach that connects individuals remotely from an accessible, yet private pod located at the Ephrata Public Library, to Crisis Intervention by way of a non-scheduled video encounter.
The Ephrata Garden donated over 1,000 pounds of produce to the food pantry at Ephrata Area Social Services.
The shuttle service between Ephrata Commons and the Declaration House in Denver added stops to include WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata Area Social Services and downtown Ephrata.  This free shuttle fills a void of available public transportation between Ephrata and Denver, PA.
Mobilized Hub partners to address the needs of community members during the COVID-19 crisis by offering food, housing and utility assistance.  The Hub was also instrumental with social media providing timely, informative and factual posts.

Merged with the Better Together Lebanon Initiative. The Better Together collaborative was created in 2016 to address the growing problems of obesity, food access and mental health in the county. In addition, they hold an annual, free summit at Lebanon Valley College in the Fall. This merger unified the two brands under one 501c3 umbrella and consolidated strategic planning efforts.   In addition, they hold an annual, free summit at Lebanon Valley College in the Fall.  This merger unified the two brands under one 501c3 umbrella and consolidated strategic planning efforts. 
Partnered with Lebanon Family Health Services and the American Heart Association to reduce vaping in children and teens. Offered an online information session for parents and school administrator as well as initiated a vaping advocacy campaign with the school districts, encouraging them to pass new tobacco policies for the schools. Current polices reflect punitive measure for students who are caught vaping, suggested language and policy offer students cessation programming before punitive measures
Launched two comprehensive education campaign for mental health (May) and suicide prevention (September) months

Coalition Snapshot Image