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	Madison Community Health Consortium Communities and agencies working together toward a healthier Madison County. Established in 1989, the Madison Community Health Consortium (MCHC) is a partnership that seeks to improve the overall health of Madison County citizens. MCHC networks with community agencies and groups in an ongoing process of needs assessment, project development, implementation, and evaluation. June Trevor, MCHC's first coordinator with Nancy Wilde, MCHC's second coordinator, and Tom Plant, one of MCHC's founding members. MCHC was state certified as a Healthy Carolinians Task Force in 1993, and was one of the first Healthy Carolinian partnerships in North Carolina. Today the Consortium has an active membership of over 50 people representing 25 community organizations and agencies and is divided into several task forces/committees responsible for ongoing health projects. Since 1991 MCHC has provided flu shots and a variety of medical screening services along with educational materials to senior citizens at the annual "Senior Health Fair." MCHC coordinates activities focusing on children by sponsoring school health fairs and addressing the physical, nutritional and dental needs of children. The Consortium works to increase community awareness of these issues through through the annual preschool health fair and other community events. The Senior Health Fair, Senior Games and Community Health Assessments are all programs MCHC is proud to sponsor. The Senior Games includes sports events and Silver Arts and has been supported by MCHC since 1994. MCHC became certified as a Governor's Task Force in 1994. Since then, the Consortium has sponsored the annual "Back to School Fun and Fitness Day" and is involved in other youth and adult activities such as walking trails and Terrific Tuesday's/Thursday's. The MCHC Dental Advisory Committee works to increase access to dental care for the community, especially children. The Dental Sealant Project is a result of our ongoing Community Health Assessments. The MCHC Mental Health & Substance Abuse Committee works on projects designed to inform and to decrease stigma associated with mental health conditions and treatment.

	Contact MCHC Fields marked * are required. First Name: * Last Name: * Address 1: * Address2: City: * State: * Zip: * Phone: * E-mail:  * Volunteers are always needed and appreciated! No previous experience is necessary. We will find a job to fit your talent. I am interested in: (Check all that apply) Senior Health Fairs School Health Fairs Back to School Fun & Fitness Day Senior Games Preschool Health Fair Building Walking Trails Leading Physical Activities Clerical/Administrative Duties Making a Donation Receiving More Information How did you find this site? Select one of the following: Search Engine MCHC Program Referred by a friend Link from another site Comments (optional): Please Submit Information/ Press Button Once! Make a Donation to the Madison Community Health Consortium! Phone: (828) 649-9566 ext. 4148 info@madisonhealth.org Madison Community Health Consortium PO Box 69, Marshall, NC 28753 Helping the people of Madison County stay well and healthy requires the hard work of many. Hot Springs Health Program is privileged to partner with many organizations, groups, and individuals in meeting our community's health challenges. One of these organizations is the Madison Community Health Consortium (MCHC). HSHP had the recent opportunity to talk with the MCHC Coordinator, Deana Stephens. HSHP: What are some of the projects or initiatives that the MCHC has been involved with in the past? Stephens: Planning for and launching our county's 9-1-1 Emergency Response system is the biggest project the MCHC has undertaken and is probably the one for which we are the most proud... our ‘crowning achievement.’ The Consortium developed a strong diabetes care management and education program in the late 1990’s. Recent community health assessment data has indicated a significant decrease in diabetes rates as well as a decrease in diabetes complications in the years since the program started. The MCHC has had many successes! HSHP: What are the current priorities of the Consortium? Stephens: The Madison County Health Department, in partnership with the Consortium, has just completed the most recent 2003 Community Health Assessment. This extensive process of collecting and examining all sorts of health data is carried out every four years. It helps us know how we are doing - are we getting healthier, in what areas are we better or worse than we were before, how do we compare to other NC counties, what health needs do folks in the county say we have - helps us answer those types of questions. We are now mobilizing the community to respond to our greatest needs right now which include: • Obesity, especially in children • Dental health • Substance abuse and mental health - prevention and treatment • Respiratory illnesses HSHP: What kinds of folks are involved with Consortium initiatives? Stephens: The MCHC is composed of all sorts of folks - staff from the Health Department, Department of Social Services, Hot Springs Health Program, Madison County Schools. Community organizations are involved such as Helpmate and Our Voice as well as health professionals practicing in the community such as chiropractors and counselors. The only criteria for being involved is having a desire to make Madison County as healthy as it can be! HSHP: What excites you most about Consortium work? Stephens: I get excited because community people have as much say in deciding and working on initiatives as do the staffs and leaders of organizations. Everyone is important! Broad input is key. We all benefit when those who live, work, and go to school here work together. We get more done - time, talents, ideas are shared. It's all about COMMUNITY! reprinted from the Hot Springs Health Program 2003 Newsletter

	Web Links Healthy Carolinians A process for developing community-based partnerships to improve health in North Carolina. Hot Springs Health Meeting the primary health care needs of the people  of Madison County and surrounding areas. Madison County, NC Comprehensive county information for citizens of and visitors to Madison County, North Carolina. Contact Deana Stephens at (828) 649-9566 x4148 E-mail info@madisonhealth.org Madison Community Health Consortium PO Box 69, Marshall, NC 28753

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