Hi,
Our agency is lucky in the fact that in our community the healthcare system
actually approached our literacy council last summer regarding the topic of
health literacy.  We have recently begun a health literacy task force out of
this collaboration to grow interest in this issue and work to educate health
care providers, consumers, service agencies, etc on best practices.  It
takes leg work--trying to get representatives from all different fields
around the same table takes time but we have had a good response as far as
interest in the topic.  It makes it easier when they view you/your agency as
an expert in the field with something to offer them (help with a brochure,
input on survey questions, training, etc.)

I'm curious what strategies other communities have put into place regarding
best practices in the field of health literacy.  What type of community-wide
initiatives are you implementing?  What resources are you drawing from in
your community?

Thanks in advance!
Laura Bair
Health Literacy Task Force Chair/
Grants Writer & Workplace Coordinator
York County Literacy Council
717-845-8719
www.yorkliteracy.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie McKinney" <julie_mcKinney at worlded.org>
To: <healthliteracy at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:02 AM
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1865] Wednesday Question: Coalitions Challenges
andBenefits



> Hi Everyone,

>

> There are more and more health literacy coalitions forming around the

country. Some are well developed and others are just starting out. Those who
are just starting could benefit from the experience of those who have been
doing it for a while. Building coalitions takes a huge amount of effort,
time and "will". How can we help each other to smooth the bumps and make
this process more effective?

>

> Today's question is: what advice would you give to those who are just

starting to build a health literacy coalition in their community? What are
the biggest challenges, and what helped you to get through them?

>

> I look forward to hearing!

>

> All the best,

> Julie

>

> Julie McKinney

> Discussion List Moderator

> World Education/NCSALL

> jmckinney at worlded.org

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

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>

>