CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Virtual Meeting

Convened: 5:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 06:19 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Sarai Rivera
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera Vice Chairperson Councilor Morris A Bergman Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
 
Also:Director of Public Health Karyn Clark REACH Program Manager Ydalia Heimann Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester (CHGW) Director Casey Burns CHGW Steering Committee Representative Sandy Amoakohene Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information

1a.

Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for remote participation only at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may follow the below link to join via the WebEx application or dial the direct line as indicated. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user you may dial *3. - Phone Number: 415-655-0001, Access Code: 2313 501 0119, Event Password: EH22. https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=efcb9ef1d36ad6c6fea342685e943494a

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following Chairman’s Order:
1. Amy Borg, No resident given, spoke in favor of item #3b
2. Anne Covino, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
3. Faye Rhault, Brookfield resident, spoke in favor of item #3a and #3b
4. Hilda Ramirez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
5. Laura Martinez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
6. Penelope Karambinakis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
7. Sara Shields, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a

2.

Approval of the Minutes

2a.

Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on November 18, 2021.

View Agenda

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to adopt the order. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

3.

Communications of the City Manager

3a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the upcoming launch of the 2021 Greater Worcester Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). # 9.18A CM October 19, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #3b.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Director of Public Health, who discussed the historical context of the Public Health department relative to the CHIP plan and the REACH program, the process for the Public Health department to gain accreditation, and the work done by the CHIP plan and the REACH program.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the CHGW Director, who discussed the relationship between the CHIP plan and the Coalitation for a Healthy Greater Worcester, the development process of the 2021 CHIP plan, current initiatives supported by the CHGW and its prioritized strategy and action agenda.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bergman and Councilor Haxhiaj, who both spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Director of Public Health, who discussed the plan concerning the rollout of the 2021 CHIP plan.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the REACH Program Manager, who provided an overview of the REACH program, including information relative to its focused areas and the grant funding for the program.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the CHGW Steering Committee Representative, who discussed REACH program’s work at the REC to promote and increase accessibility to SNAP benefits and the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) program, the neighborhood walk audit project which assesses neighborhood walkability to identify locations that needs improvement.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

3b.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Division of Public Health's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project. # 9.18B CM October 19, 2021

Attachments

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a)