Grassroots health needs people power

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Despite a recruitment campaign in the fall of 2006 that netted two new volunteers, the Kingston/ Greenwood Community Health Board could use a few good men or women to further its “grassroots approach to community health promotion.”

The organization met June 21 for its annual meeting and president Colin Muise indicated the past year had been an active one for the group.

“All of our activity has been focused on getting out information (to the public) about how to make informed, wise choices about wellness,” explained Muise.

In 2005, using the results of a public survey, the CHB developed a plan which focuses on three priorities: youth, senior health issues and improving access to services. The group has supported local organizations which further the CHB’s priorities by administering Wellness Initiative Fund (grants provided by Annapolis Valley Health (AVH).

In 2006/ 2007 the Kingston/ Greenwood CHB handed out $14,000 to eight organizations: KickOff, Dwight Ross Elementary School, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) for youth, the Kingston Areas Seniors’ Club and Kings RCMP’s Senior Safety Program, Kingston’s Active Kids/ Healthy Kids program, AVRSB’s Health Promoting Schools program and Two Planks and a Passion Theatre for its anti-bullying presentation for students.

Outgoing board member Shoba Ranganathan said the CHB was happy with the outcome of its grant application process, but the committee is hoping to draw more applications from organizations that target seniors’ health and wellness in the year ahead.

Ranganathan, who has served on the board for four years and is leaving the province due to a family military posting, called Nova Scotia’s CHB network a “unique one - one that at the end of the day gives the people what they want and need to improve their health.”

Former board chairman Bob Fettes is also retiring from the board, and agrees the district health authority model that reaches out to the communities through the community health boards is “part of great system.” He added the Kingston/ Greenwood CHB “has demonstrated it has a passion for this grassroots type of health promotion.”

Also stepping down from the management board is Steve Plourde.

Muise noted the board’s next steps to promote seniors’ health issues will include support of AVH’s Living Independently with Community Supports program and encouraging a CHB member to join the Annapolis Valley Falls Prevention Coalition. The board will also advocate for a province-wide 211 health information line.

A new slate of seven officers was approved at the meeting. Muise said the board can accommodate between nine and 15 officers, and he encourages anyone living in the Kingston/ Greenwood area with a background in health care, or an interest in learning more about local healthcare initiatives, to contact Kelly Rice at the village office, or any board member.

“There are lots of people out there with business, managerial and life skills that could impact our work in the community.”

Noting the time commitment to the board “isn’t huge,” Muise said directors meet once a month for two-hour meetings and contribute to other projects as they arise.