Community Health Leadership Training Academy (CHLTA) is a new collaborative initiative of the Mecklenburg County Health Department, NC Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities, Johnson C. Smith University, and 20 faith-based organizations. This initiative aims to enhance the leadership of faith-based organizations located in high morbidity zip codes in Mecklenburg County. The faith-based organizations are beginning and expanding health ministries to better serve vulnerable populations in their communities.

Mecklenburg County Health Department is committed to prevention and wellness activities that improve the health of all citizens, particularly those in the most at risk communities. CHLTA focuses on training and developing community health ambassadors through innovative monthly workshops, face-to-face training sessions, individualized coaching and mentoring, and health ministry project assignments. All of these activities help to form a network of community leaders; ambassadors anchored within the context of the faith-based organizations or community locations in which they are most familiar.

Our Goals Are To:
 

• support faith communities that are beginning and expanding health ministries
• facilitate delivery of Public Health Department services to faith communities
• provide opportunities for networking
• promote interdisciplinary education and professional development

Useful Information and Services:
 

• Training and Technical Assistance to faith groups and public health agencies on how to develop health ministries and other faith and health partnership programs.

• Periodic Networking Meetings provide an opportunity for faith and health partners to share ideas, support and visions for the future while making new acquaintances and creating a caring and supportive community.
• Interfaith, Holistic Spiritual Guidance and Development for public health professionals.
• Community Health Leadership Academy (CHLA) develops interdisciplinary educational opportunities focused on health and faith interaction and collaboration.
• CHLA News Bites newsletter provides a communication link for individuals and organizations involved in the faith and health movement locally, statewide and across the nation.
• Workshops, on the spiritual dimensions of health and which healing,address many dimensions of faith and health partnerships.
• Conferences and Other Celebrations affirm our life together as an interfaith, inter-religious and spiritual community. Faithful to call 1&2

Community events sponsored and supported by the Faith and Health Partnership Project are scheduled as needs and participating faith groups or health agencies identifies interests. Please contact us as noted below for specific information.

Program Eligibility:

Any faith community or health related organization interested in working on partnership opportunities between the faith and health communities.
 
 
Major Events and Activities:

Community events sponsored and supported by the Community Collaborative are scheduled as needed and participating faith groups or health agencies identifies interests. Please contact us as noted below for specific information.

Cheryl S. Emanuel, MS, CSAPC
Community Health Administrator
Phone: 704-432-0216

Domonique Brown
Multicultural Health Coordinator
Phone: 704-336-3494

Web Links:

• Minority Health Collaborative Research Center at JCSU
  www.mhealthcrc.org
• North Carolina Office Of Minority Health and Health Disparities
  www.ncminorityhealth.org
• United States Department of Health and Human Services
  www.os.dhhs.gov/faith/