Local agencies surveying public on community health needs

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Community organizations are conducting the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Local nonprofits, healthcare providers and other community organizations collaborate every three years to create a survey gathering resident feedback about health issues in Cascade County.

Those organizations, the Healthy Lives Vibrant Futures Initiative uses that information to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan to work toward addressing those concerns.

The 2025 survey is here.

It takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous unless you want to enter your contact information to be entered to win a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

The Healthy Lives Vibrant Futures Initiative includes steering committee members who help ensure their agencies are implementing the strategies outlined in the CHIP.

Many local agencies are already actively working towards improving the issues listed in the CHIP and the priority area committees give organizations an opportunity to share their progress, pool resources and determine what further action can be taken to improve the health of our community.

HLVF is comprised of representatives from:

  • Alliance for Youth
  • Benefis Health System
  • Cascade City-County Health Department
  • Alluvion Health
  • United Way of Cascade County
  • Indian Family Health Center
  • Many Rivers Whole Health
  • Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

The main health concerns that have emerged in recent surveys, according to CCHD, are:

  • improving access to healthcare
  • preventing alcohol and substance abuse
  • preventing child abuse and neglect
  • maintaining a healthy weight

Several local committees and coalitions meet regularly and work toward improving health and safety and implementing the current CHIP.

CCHD and partnering agencies and organizations have staff members that sit on and actively take part in these groups, including the Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance, Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Taskforce and Get Fit Great Falls.

Past Community Health Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans are below:

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Jenn Rowell
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