H.E.A.R.T.
Health Engagement and Action for Rochester’s Transformation
The greater Rochester community was awarded a major Community Transformation Grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognition of this community’s spirit of collaboration and shared vision for community health improvement.
The University of Rochester Medical Center, the Monroe County Department of Public Health and numerous community partners were awarded a five-year, $3.6 million grant to fund HEART (Health Engagement and Action for Rochester’s Transformation), an initiative to improve the health of area residents.
HEART makes it possible for Rochester to develop and implement programs to reduce risk factors responsible for the leading causes of death and disability and to prevent and control chronic diseases in our community.
HEART initiatives
Workplace Wellness – Lead: Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency (FLHSA)
Work with the Healthy Rochester/ High Blood Pressure Collaborative to develop a web-based assessment tool that can be used by employers to assess, improve, and continue to evaluate their wellness program. The assessment results will also be used to develop and launch community-wide awards and recognition for employers that offer outstanding workplace wellness programs.
Coordinated School Health Programs – Lead: Rochester City School District
Identify and engage 31 individual schools that will use CDC’s Coordinated School Health Index to assess their health and wellness programs/environments and develop and implement plans for improvement based on the assessment. In addition to City schools, the Rochester School for the Deaf will participate.
Diabetes Prevention Program – Lead: YMCA of Greater Rochester
Train trainers in the evidence-based Diabetes Prevention Program. The trainers will then run classes in community sites.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) – Lead: Healthy Rochester/Healthi Kids Coalitions
Hire a national consulting firm to train city staff (engineering, police, recreation) and neighborhood representatives in CPTED-I and CPTED-II. CPTED- I is a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior by making environmental changes such as improved lighting, landscaping, and building design
CPTED- II includes training on how to build neighborhood and social cohesion to prevent crime.
Active Transportation – Lead: Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
Conduct a needs assessment of gaps and opportunities for policy, programs, environment, and infrastructure for active transportation in Monroe County. Educate municipal leaders and planners on the importance of active transportation and how to incorporate effective options into their comprehensive plans. Pursue opportunities for funding of active transportation projects. Foster active transportation promotional events.
Virtual Clinician (VC) – Lead: URMC Center for Community Health
The VC consists of an interactive software program that includes an “avatar” counselor who can deliver on-line intensive behavioral health counseling to patients in the Federally Qualified Health Centers in Rochester. It will be accessible via an internet-connected computer in the clinic or at home, and will be culturally adapted for the African American, Latino and deaf populations (the latter through closed-captioning).
Food Hub – Lead: Foodlink
Create a self-sustaining “food hub” in our community at which healthful (and in most cases, local) food can be purchased, stored and distributed to various locations: schools, child care providers, group homes, corner stores, produce carts, farm stands, neighborhood food clubs, and deaf community social organizations.
High Blood Pressure Ambassador Program – Lead: Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
Train and deploy volunteer outreach workers to lead groups within their own organizations to promote self-management of high blood pressure. Focus is on the African American community due to high rates of hypertension.
Smoking Policies – Lead: Monroe County Department of Public Health
Work to establish smoke-free policies at parks, select outdoor areas, college campuses, and multi-unit housing.
Community Health Mini-Grant Program
Funding for URMC Community partnerships
Online Resources
Central Line Training Module
Click here for CLABSI education module »
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