2022 Prioritization Process

In 2022, we invited Springfield residents to give their feedback on the most pressing needs for the City of Springfield. The process involved an Advisory Committee of representatives from community organizations and Springfield residents.  We reviewed health needs and barriers identified in Trinity/Mercy Medical Center’s recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), and we worked with an Advisory Committee to recommend one area of focus and potential strategies for the Transforming Communities Initiative.

This work was funded by Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health of New England. The Transforming Communities Initiative's goals were:

• Advance health equity
• Advance racial justice
• Give community members the power to impact change in their community by sharing their voice and opinions with decision-makers

Four Priority Needs

The Advisory Committee narrowed the list of needs identified in Mercy's 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment down to 4 topics, and we sought community feedback on which to focus on.

• Food access and food security | Acceso a alimentos y seguridad alimentaria
• Housing and homelessness | Vivienda y falta de vivienda
• Mental Health | Salud mental
• Violence and trauma | Violencia y trauma

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee, which was convened by Mercy Medical Center and the Public Health Institute of Western Mass, included five Resident Advisors and representatives from the following organizations:

• Gandara Center
• Mass UP
• Mercy Medical Center
• Neighbor to Neighbor
• New North Citizens Council
• Partnership in Practice
• PVPC
• ROCA
• South End Community Center
• Springfield Dept of Health and Human Services
• Springfield Food Policy Council
• Springfield Office of Housing
• Square One
• Way Finders