Convening Support

The convening support is responsible for the planning and coordination of HEC activities and the Hispanic Center of West Michigan, GRAAHI, and Kent County Health Department staff have played a key role in creating the foundational support for the HEC. Currently, the convening support is structured into several teams in which representatives from the HEC provide assistance through the support of the following activities.

Core Functions

Advance the work of the Health Equity Council by providing feedback on plans for monthly meetings and setting the future direction of the council through brainstorming and strategic planning.

Meeting Logistics and Coordination

Setting agendas for monthly HEC meetings, coordinating with the meeting facilitator and orienting new HEC members as they come aboard.

 CHNA/CHIP/Action Teams

Provide coordination and oversight of Action Teams and collaboratives focused on the development and implementation of strategies to address the health priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment and providing periodic updates to the Community Voice group.

Mini Grants

Drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs), coordinating the review of mini grant proposals and gathering feedback from the Community Voice group during the proposal selection process and conducting regular follow up with organizations who received mini grant funding.

Data/Evaluation

Oversee evaluation of the HEC, monitoring outcome metrics of the Action Teams and Community Health Improvement Plan workgroups, presenting data on health disparities in an easy-to-understand manner and coordinating data collection from healthcare systems related to CHNA priorities.

Sustainability/Policy/Advocacy

Review results from assessments of HEC activities, determine future needs and identify potential sources of funding to support future HEC efforts. Stay up to date on policy issues related to the identified health priorities and advocate for support of and alignment with strategies to address these priorities within the local public health system.

Annual Conference

Plan and coordinate conference activities to advance health equity and foster collaboration in the local community.

Communications

Coordinate the bimonthly HEC newsletter, ensuring that the website is up to date with relevant information and creating infographics and other materials to promote HEC activities in the community.