• In Catawba County, the Partnership will be such in every sense of the word. The American Heritage Dictionary defines partnership as "a relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal."

• The Partnership will enable members to leverage resources. Currently many organizations are overextended both in manpower and funding as they try to meet the increasing needs of our residents. This Partnership will ensure those efforts are not duplicated thus maximizing benefits offered to community residents while lessening the burden on supporting organizations.

• The Partnership will be a broad-based community group able to make real differences in Catawba County by identifying community needs, formulating solutions, and filling the gaps to make the solutions a reality. Scope of projects will have no boundaries and could address issues such as education, community service, medical care or dental care.

• Healthy Carolinian Partnership Certification attracts grant opportunities. Certified Healthy Carolinians Partnerships have enhanced credibility with possible funding sources such as County Commissioners, State Legislators, and many foundations.

• Healthy Carolinian Partnership Certification provides an opportunity for increasing visibility within the community, such as increased awareness of preventive public health practices, recruitment of more volunteers, and increased community participation in activities

• The certification process helps provide more focus on partnership objectives and activities in the community.

• The Certification award provides an opportunity for increasing visibility within the community, such as,
• Increased awareness of preventative public health practices.
• Recruitment of more volunteers.
• Increased community participation in activities

2010 Health People Goals

• The Governor’s Executive Order set out six broad, overarching goals to guide the development of the North Carolina 2010 Health Objectives. These goals are:
  • Increase the span of healthy life of the citizens of North Carolina;
  • Remove health disparities among the disadvantaged;
  • Promote access to preventive health services;
  • Protect the public’s health;
  • Foster positive and supportive living and working conditions in our communities;
  • Support individuals.
  Areas of Priority. Priority Oversight Committee (POC).

  On November 10, 2004, a priority oversight (ad hoc) committee of twenty one (21) volunteers from the membership at large group reviewed the data presented in a Catawba County report card along with the community assessment survey results. Although mental health, social, and economic issues were of concern to survey participants, the POC decided to limit the scope of the Community Health Assessment Document by focusing on health issues that were of greatest concern of the community and/or health indicators which characterized Catawba County as worse than the State or not meeting the Healthy Carolinians 2010 objective. Each of these health concerns or indicators became “areas of priority” and was matched with one of the twelve Healthy Carolinians major focus areas.

  Specific data on each “area of priority” was compiled and presented to the large membership. Upon recommendation of the priority oversight committee, the following ten (10) issues were chosen as issues worthy of review by the full membership with the first five (5) as priorities:

  1. Diabetes
  2. Obesity
  3. Tobacco Use
  4. Substance Abuse
  5. Access to care/services
  6. Cancer
  7. Heart Disease/Stroke
  8. Flu/Pneumonia
  9. Water/Air Quality
  10. Lack of Physical Activity

  After reviewing the data and discussing it at great length, the consensus of the full membership was to combine certain priorities that related to one another or had a direct impact on each other. For example, the group decided that by choosing Obesity as a main priority that diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and physical activity could all be indirectly impacted. Likewise, tobacco could be addressed indirectly under substance abuse. Therefore the group agreed that Obesity, Substance Abuse, and Access to Care would be the three sub-committees.

  Based on the Catawba County health report card, the community health assessment, and secondary data, the sub-committees focused their areas on more specific issues with in each area.

  • ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. Priority area is adults aged 18-64 who need access to primary care.
  • CHRONIC DISEASE - Obesity. Priority area is children and adolescents aged 2-18 who are overweight or at risk for being overweight.
  • HEALTH PROMOTION - Substance Abuse. Priority area is addressing substance abuse and its pervasive issues.

  Certification Process

  On May 27, 2005, Catawba County Health Partners applied for certification to the North Carolina Governor’s Task Force for Healthy Carolinians. Notification of certification will be made in August 2005.

  The NC Governor's Task Force "Officially" Certified Catawba County Health Partners on October 25, 2005.

  Non-Profit Status

  Catawba County Health Partners has received its Articles of Incorporation. The next step is to apply for the 501 (c) (3) non-profit status. A non-profit status will allow Catawba County Health Partners to leverage funds through grants to help support the activities of each action plan.