In July 2013, the State of New Hampshire established 13 Regional Public Health Networks (RPHN) to align multiple public health priorities into one integrated system. The purpose of the RPHNs is to integrate multiple public health initiatives and services into a common network of community stakeholders, and coordinate the development and implementation of a range of community and public health improvement activities.
The Strafford County Public Health Network is based out of Goodwin Community Health and is representative of the following municipalities: Dover, Rochester, Durham, Somersworth, Barrington, Farmington, Milton, Lee, Strafford, New Durham, Rollinsford, Middleton, Madbury, and the University of New Hampshire.
Our Mission
To improve the health, wellness, and quality of life for all individuals in Strafford County.
Our Vision
Vibrant, healthy, and productive communities which value health and wellness with thriving and prosperous citizens.
What We Do
The Regional Public Health Networks were established to ensure coordinated and comprehensive delivery of essential public health services. Thirteen agencies are funded by NH Department of Health and Human Services to convene, coordinate, and facilitate an ongoing network of partners to address regional public health needs.
Visit the New Hampshire Regional Public Health Network site for more information
How To Get Involved
Whether you are a business owner, a parent, youth or anyone interested in improving the communities of Strafford County, we are ready to work with you.
Click here to learn how to get more involved in public health.
Organizational Structure
SCPHN is a program of Greater Seacoast Community Health (GSCH), a network of community health centers providing primary care, pediatrics, dental care, prenatal care, behavioral health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, mobile health services, WIC, social work services, a pharmacy, parenting classes, playgroups and home visiting.
Our staff are employees of GSCH, funded by NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as one of NH's 13 Regional Public Health Networks. Our staff are housed at Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth, one of GSCH's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). In addition to our staff, our Network relies on collaboration with our Public Health Advisory Council (PHAC), working groups and coalitions, and our Network partners to carry out our work.
Staff
Ashley Wheeler, MS, CPS
Public Health Network Manager
AWright@GoodwinCH.org
603-994-6357
Jason Usher, MPH
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
JUsher@GoodwinCH.org
603-749-2346 ext. 2538
Coreen Toussaint
Public Health Nurse
CToussaint@GoodwinCH.org
Cory Towne-Kerr
Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator
CTowneKerr@GoodwinCH.org
603-749-2346 x2353
Barry Sandberg, MPA
Program Coordinator
BSandberg@GoodwinCH.org
603-749-2346 x2533
Public Health Advisory Council
Established by the Regional Public Health Network, the Public Health Advisory Council (PHAC) represents the communities of Strafford County and advises the Regional Public Health Network. The PHAC is comprised of individuals, organizations, governments, businesses and non-profits that are involved in promoting the health and safety of Strafford County residents. Members of PHAC are residents of or are employed in the Strafford County area and reflect the geographical and organizational diversity of the Network.
PHAC members meet quarterly to provide leadership and guidance to SCPHN staff who are working to implement our 3-year Community Health Improvement Plan or CHIP, which the PHAC helps to create.
The role of the PHAC is to:
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- Identify regional public health priorities based on assessments of community health and use those to develop the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
- Provide leadership & guidance to SCPHN staff & working groups to
implement strategies outlined in the CHIP to meet improved health outcomes - Grow our Network and advance the coordination of services among partners in the community related to our CHIP
Public Health Advisory Council Executive Committee (PHAC)
PHAC Members:
Chair: Steve Pappajohn, Dover Teen Center
Vice Chair: Chris Kozak, Community Partners
Anne Grassie, Rochester Child Care
Carrie Conway, Strafford County Department of Corrections
John Burns, SOS Recovery Community Organization
Pete Hanson, Turbocam International
William Harbron, Dover School District
Kerry Norton, Hope on Haven Hill
Jess Garlough, Greater Seacoast Community Health
Jen Czysz, Strafford Regional Planning Commission
Katie Soule, Granite YMCA
Tanisha Johnson, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County
Emilia Poehlman, UNH Institute on Disability
Christine Wyrsch, Greater Seacoast Community Health
Community Health Improvement Plan
Our Community Health Improvement Plan or "CHIP" for short, outlines the public health priority topics that our PHAC identified as key areas of need in our communities that the Public Health Network will work on addressing over a 3-year period (2023 - 2026).
The priority areas outlined in the CHIP (in no particular order) include:
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- Substance Use
- Mental Health
- Emergency Preparedness
- Healthy Living, including food security, chronic disease and access to preventative health screenings
- Access to Care, including oral health, prenatal care and sexual health
- Injury Prevention, including childhood lead poisoning, dating and domestic violence, suicide prevention
Our CHIP includes goals and strategies for each key topic that our SCPHN Team, PHAC and Network partners will work together to achieve. Take a look at our CHIP here to learn more about those key topic areas and how our SCPHN Team, PHAC and partners plan to address related challenges in our communities.
Supporters
