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HHRC workshop in Jefferson County sets mission to 'advocate for the gaps' and prioritizes resource mapping and visibility
Summary
At a May workshop, Jefferson County's HHRC approved a draft mission and selected two focus areas—creating a consolidated resource inventory and boosting outreach/visibility at community events—then assigned members tasks and scheduled the next meeting.
The HHRC for Jefferson County held a one-hour workshop to craft a concise mission and pick priorities for the coming year, settling on a plan to catalog community resources and increase visibility at public events.
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by the meeting facilitator (referred to in the transcript as the Chair), who opened by welcoming newly appointed member Anderson. Anderson thanked the group and described the workshop as a chance to start from scratch and agree on basic goals and one to two focus areas.
Members reviewed the commission’s founding documents (referred to in the meeting as “resolution 2022 9” and the bylaws) and discussed the commission’s authorized role advising county commissioners on public health and welfare, referring community relations issues, and partnering with local organizations. Participants repeatedly flagged low public awareness of existing services: one member noted examples—past conversations about a YMCA and a roadside pesticide incident—as issues the commission could surface if residents knew how to report or engage.
During a facilitated visioning exercise, small groups proposed outcomes they would like to see in three years, including recognition for preserving historic character while attracting new investment, stronger coordination of health and housing supports, and expanded cultural events. One participant summarized a draft mission the group read aloud: “HHRC will serve Jefferson County as an advocate for the gaps, amplifying services which instill belonging through access to transportation, nutritious food, affordable housing, and health resources, using community assessment to drive creative and inventive solutions.” This draft was accepted as a working statement to be refined.
From that discussion, members identified two near-term focus areas: (1) develop a consolidated repository of community resources so residents and staff can find existing programs and contact points, and (2) increase visibility and outreach—especially by staffing summer festivals and leveraging transportation supports (the transcript references a "Jefferson Together" grant that helped purchase shuttles) to connect people to services such as immunization clinics. Members noted that free clinics and other events attract low turnout and discussed whether targeted transportation or on-site outreach could help.
For next steps the group assigned follow-up tasks. The Chair said Dave would circulate a short guide on commissioners’ roles and intended audiences, Lindsay was asked to prepare talking points for June community events (that item was later adjusted in the discussion), and members were asked to bring HHRC materials and a list of local organizations to the next meeting so they could divide research on existing resources.
The group set its next meeting for May 21 (calendar invites to be adjusted) and adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The minutes also record that the group approved the previous meeting’s minutes early in the session.
The workshop produced a clear planning direction—resource mapping and visibility/outreach—with specific assignments to begin building the repository and outreach materials before summer events.
