    A broad-based group of community leaders met Wednesday to kick off Healthy San Benito Initiative, (HSBI) a countywide effort aimed at improving our county’s quality of life.
    “Healthy communities are not just about physical health,” said Dr. Alvaro Garza, the county’s Public Health Officer. “Health is about physical, mental and social well-being as well.”
     A core planning group has been meeting for seven months to organize the effort and engage key stakeholders in the county. The goal of HSBI is to ensure that all county residents have access to quality public health services that meet national standards for accreditation, and to improve collective community health.
    Funded by a $35,000 grant from The Health Trust, the effort is being led by the county’s Public Health Department with assistance from the Community Foundation for San Benito County’s Vision Project. Other participants include the YMCA, the Youth Alliance, First 5, Hazel Hawkins Hospital, the Hollister Fire Department, The Gang Task Force, and The Health Foundation. The group will be holding a series of community Listening Sessions over the next 10 months to seek input from residents about how the county can improve public health and implement policies that lead toward greater health. For more information, or to participate, please contact Julie Morris at 630-1924 or cvsbc@cffsbc.org.
Â
Â