Tri-County health officials present three-year improvement plan focused on youth food security and behavioral health

A health department representative presented a three-year Community Health Improvement Plan created by a Tri-County partnership that includes Tazewell and Woodford counties. The presenter said more than 2,000 people contributed to surveys and focus groups that informed the plan and highlighted three priorities: reduce youth food insecurity (particularly during out-of-school times), increase access to behavioral health services through improved navigation, and lower rates of suicidal ideation and self-harm among adolescents and young adults.

“We talked about our community health needs assessment process … and we said that we would end up writing a community health improvement plan, and it's here,” the presenter said, inviting board members to read the document and visit the plan website for details.

The presenter cited local data points: approximately 14 percent of youth in the Tri-County area face food insecurity and about 12,000 youth are affected across the three counties; roughly 30 percent of adults reported a mental-health issue in the past year; and the counties have youth suicide mortality rates above the state average. The plan lists participating partners from hospitals, health departments and other agencies and schedules collaborative work over the next three years.

Board members thanked presenters and the chair asked that the printed plan be circulated. The presenter encouraged stakeholders to contact the Healthy HOI email listed on the back of the plan to get involved.

Why it matters: the plan targets measurable gaps in youth nutrition and behavioral-health access that officials identified through community engagement; translating the plan into funded programs and measurable milestones will require continued interagency coordination and likely external funding.

The board received the presentation; no formal vote was recorded at the meeting.