Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative 5901 Sunnyfield Rd. E. Minnetrista, MN 55364 952-491-8058 Leah Weycker, Coordinator The Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative (WHCC) is seeking to strengthen and connect our community in healthy, creative ways. The collaborative method of working brings together a broad range of key community audiences and consumers to identify local community issues and gaps in service. By working together, the collaborative is able to better utilize existing resources and services and communicate gaps to groups or individuals who can make a difference. The Collaborative meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 12:00 noon at the Gillespie Center. This lunch meeting covers our progress on projects and gives time for all the members to discuss what is going on in their part of the community. We usually feature a guest speaker. Advisory groups in the areas of Health, Youth Activities, Parent Education and Community meet on an as-needed basis. These advisory groups are the core of the collaborative's work. Some of our projects that meet our vision and goals: Health:Domestic violence support group, depression and suicide awareness, counseling for students. Youth Activities: Zero Gravity Skate Park, After school program at Grandview Middle School. Parent Education: Family Support coordinator, parenting brochures, parent speakers. Community: Westonka.org web site of community resources, coordination of Spirit of the Lakes community festival. Our funding Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) is the largest portion of our budget. Westonka School District staff, that work with at risk children, participate in a random moment time study that generates federal Foster Care and Medicaid dollars to be spent on early intervention and prevention services for families with children who are, or may be, at risk of out of home placement. Our Vision and Goals With participation of volunteers, the following goals will be realized. * Reduce domestic abuse * reduce substance abuse * promote personal and civic pride * improve the health of the community * prevent kids form entering the juvenile justice system * expand and coordinate parent opportunities, parenting resources and outreach * publicize and provide information to youth, families and the community about opportunities and programs available through the WHCC. All collaboratives within Hennepin County have jointly developed goals. They are *Physically and mentally healthy children and adults *safe and stable individuals, families and communities * children thrive in early childhood and are ready for school * children succeed in school * all youth exhibit positive social behavior. Back to home Copyright © 2003 Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative