Coalition Name:

Healthy Community Coalition of Denton County

• Denton Family Resource Center is a coalition under the umbrella of the healthy community coalition

Coalition Funding Source: (Examples, external grants: TxDOT, TDPH, Johnson Foundation, external agency: Texas Cooperative Extension, Gonzales Fire Department, or internal examples: self-funded, in-kind gifts, volunteers,)

County or Geographic Boundary:

Denton County

Coalition also serves rural cities in 7 counties in north Texas

Mission Statement:

"Our mission is to strengthen and support families across the life span."

Coalition Representation Background: (Please describe the membership of your coalition)

The Healthy Community Coalition was formed initially as an infant mortality task force originated from the coalition. The goal of the task force was to reduce infant mortalities by 38% and this goal was exceeded. The task force, with a focus on children, attracted new partners which included: elected officials, hospital board members, and the mayor’s office.

The Healthy Community Coalition has representation from 70+ organizations.

The strength of the Denton Family Resource Center Coalition (coalition under the umbrella of the Healthy Community Coalition) is credited to its structure by creating "peer relationships" among its members. Working teams have been designed and created. A team leader facilitates the monthly meetings. No titles exist within the membership. The coalition celebrates its victories and successes in various ways. A "snap shot" of the coalition activities and accomplishments are published using several media outlets.

The coalition looks at cultural diversity issues and health practices among women prior to implementing programs/countermeasures.

Members of the coalition include: law enforcement, employers, schools, day care, fire department, EMS and community citizens. Four hospitals are represented and support the coalition activities: Denton Community Hospital, Denton Regional Medical Center, Medical Center of Louisville and Trinity Medical Center.

Injury/Fatality Data Sources:

• Texas Department of Transportation
• Emergency room trauma registry
• ACTS

Public Information and Education and Other Program Activities:

• The coalition is actively involved in conducting child safety seat inspection programs.
• Future program plans for the coalition are being developed to work with the Red Cross in conducting training for CPR. It is planned to certify at least one coalition member as a professional trainer who will continue to conduct CPR training in local areas.
• The coalition is currently working on completing the Assessing Community Traffic Safety (ACTS).

Program Outcome Measurements: (Coalition Successes - Describe successful traffic safety programming and activities which can include anecdotal statements.) (sample below)

Assessments are conducted at schools targeting low income families with children 4-8 years old.

Based on the needs assessment car seats are distributed to families.

• 290 assessments were conducted – 34 appointments were made with families to distribute car seats and educate the parents about child passenger safety.

Evaluation Tool: (Describe the evaluation tool(s) used to measure change. (i.e. survey design, pre/post community traffic measurements, observational surveys, tests, questionnaires, focus group, user interface rating tool or evaluation report)

Needs assessment

Observational surveys

Contact Person: (If applicable, please include the Traffic Safety Specialist in your Texas Department of Transportation District)