by Elizabeth W. Duda
York County, SC (Nov. 16, 2017) Impact York County is a “coalition of coalitions,” dedicated to empowering and improving our community through health and wellness. It serves as York County’s umbrella coalition to demonstrate collective impact and support a culture of community health. This coalition stemmed from the May 2016 Population Health Summit, which was sponsored by the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina. York County participants committed to continue to meet to work toward healthier York County living and foster a “culture of 
health.” After examining York county efforts and data related to health and wellness, they decided that collaborating to unite these initiatives would maximize effectiveness.
Coalition members value the implementation of solution‐focused, evidence‐based interventions; collaboration among traditional and non‐traditional partners; and healthy-living initiatives for the York County community. One primary task has been to collect existing York County data and statistics while fostering new and stronger relationships with community partners, as discussed at the 2nd Annual Population Health Summit in June 2017. With the concept of “collaboration” as the centerpiece of Impact York County, they recognize the importance of pursuing new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. Members should always be asking, “Who is missing from the table?”
Impact York County is member‐driven. Members are from long‐standing coalitions, agencies, and businesses with proven commitment to bettering York County. Active community partners include Affinity Health Center, Agape Hospice, All On Board, Carolinas HealthCare System, Catawba Indian Nation, Eat Smart Move More York County (ESMMYC), Family Connection on South Carolina, The Heart2Heart Foundation, Hospice and Community Care, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), North Central Family Medical Center, Rock Hill City Council, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), SC Thrive, Tobacco Free York County Coalition (TFYCC), United Way of York County, Upper Palmetto YMCA, Winthrop University’s Department of Social Work, and York County Government
.
Initiatives implemented by Impact York County coalition members include: York County’s ongoing initiative to increase access to physical activity and reduce obesity, further reducing the risk of chronic diseases for a healthier community; 5‐2‐1‐0 League, a model to reduce childhood overweight and obesity rates; the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT), a health promotion approach for delivering early intervention and treatment services to people with, or at risk of developing, alcohol use disorders; Nurse‐Family Partnership, a maternal and early childhood health program which allows nurses to deliver the support first‐time moms need to have a healthy pregnancy, become knowledgeable and responsible parents, and provide their babies with the best possible start in life; “Many Men, Many Voices,” a CDC‐supported, group‐level HIV/STD prevention intervention for black gay men; “Reach Out and Read,” which incorporates books into pediatric care; and the South Carolina Tobacco Quit‐line.
Impact York County typically meets on the third Friday of the month. To learn more about Impact York County or become involved, contact Co-Chairs:
Susan Collier, colliesn@dhec.sc.gov
Duane Neff, neffd@winthrop.edu