Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

What is the Community Health Improvement Plan?

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was created in response to the needs of Kershaw County residents based on the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected over a six-month period from January 2022 to June 2022. Based on the priority areas that emerged from the assessment, it was recommended that we develop a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) using the updated CHNA with clear priorities and strategies that can be actively monitored over time.

In November 2022, the CHNA was presented to a larger group of community partners in the form of an interactive data walk. The presentation included data from seven different priority areas that emerged from the 2022 CHNA; Mental Health, Substance Use, Chronic Disease, Resilient Children and Families, Housing, Food Insecurity, and Obesity. After completing the data walk, community partners then voted on the top three priority areas that would serve as the focus for the 2023-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The priority areas selected include Mental Health, Resilient Children and Families, and Housing.

Community partners were then invited to join a workgroup for each priority area. Each workgroup meets on a monthly basis to develop the CHIP using the Results-Based Accountability framework as a guide. Quarterly coalition meetings are held to see the results of the monthly workgroup meetings.

LiveWell Kershaw Coalition

2023 Community Health Improvement Plan

CHIP Action Teams

Through the power of working collaboratively step-by-step while guided by an evidence-based blueprint for success, we hope that together we will achieve a culture of health in Kershaw County.

LWK Resilient Children and Family Subcommittee Pic Sept 2024

Resilient Children and Families

The Resilient Children and Families Workgroup is working toward the goal of increasing and improving ways to access healthy eating and active living for Kershaw County residents. Their current initiatives include:

Kids in Parks, an initiative to promote and improve existing parks for families to increase physical activity. Identified parks for improvement throughout Kershaw County are strategically chosen to strengthen areas identified by the coalition. The goal is to provide safe options for children and families to be resilient.

Healthy Eating, an initiative to promote access to healthy foods in all areas of the county. This workgroup partners with various food vendors and programs to create accessible opportunities of healthy food for all residents of Kershaw County.

Community leaders, citizens, and local businesses are encouraged to participate in this workgroup.

Mental Health Workgroup

The Mental Health Workgroup is working toward increasing awareness of mental health in the community. The group coordinates with local government, citizens, and the courts to provide training and community involvement to provide safe options for those dealing with mental health crisis.

This workgroup works with various organizations to promote mental health training, workshops, and seminars in the local community. The goal is to improve proper response to crisis intervention and resources with the assistance of local law enforcement.

"I want us to LiveWell in this county by being proactive, instead of reactive. Whether we know each other or not, we're all family here!"

LaShella Kirkland, Member of Mental Health Subcommittee

LWK Mental Health Subcommittee Sept 2024
Close up of small blue gray home

Housing

The Housing Partnership Workgroup is under the leadership of the United Way of Kershaw County. The workgroup prioritizes housing concerns for the residents of Kershaw County. They find opportunities to increase affordable housing, address homeless concerns, and implement changes to improve the quality of life for the underserved community.

Coordination with local and county government, citizens, and other non-profit entities are essential for this group to provide the best results for the community.

The goal is that all residents have access to improve the well-being of Kershaw County residents. by increasing the quality, availability, and effectiveness of community programs aimed at this population.

"I believe in the work of LiveWell for our community. The ability to educate our residents to care for their health through good nutrition has always been very important to me. It’s the reason I accepted the invitation to get involved."

Julie Trott, Executive Director Habitat for Humanity ofKershaw County and Housing Subcommittee

Want to get involved?

If you are interested in joining a CHIP Action team, contact DeAnne Wages at dwages@cmcofkc.org.