WHITESBURG, Ky. — Organizations and individuals working to improve health in Southeastern Kentucky communities are invited to attend a Regional Community Health Forum in Whitesburg on June 6. Hosted by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the morning forum will be followed by an afternoon workshop on building healthier communities.

Both events are free and open to health organizations, health care providers, public health professionals, elected officials, business and education leaders and other community members interested in reducing chronic disease and addressing other health issues throughout Southeastern Kentucky. The day will begin at 11:30 a.m. (ET) with networking and lunch provided by CANE: Community Agricultural and Nutritional Enterprises, Inc. The event will be held at the CANE facility, 38 College Drive in Whitesburg. Seating is limited, so advance registration is required here.

“We’re looking to exchange ideas and share information on priority health concerns affecting Kentuckians and how Southeastern Kentucky communities can reach their highest levels of health,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The community forum from noon to 1:30 p.m. will start with a short program led off by Chandler, who will share an overview of the Foundation’s work. Veronica Cecil, former deputy commissioner of Medicaid for two governors in Kentucky and now Foundation vice president for public policy, will provide a brief update on the Kentucky HEALTH Medicaid waiver program; Mike Caudill, CEO of Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, and Valerie Horn of CANE also will have remarks about their organization’s programs. These presentations will be followed by an opportunity for input on health-related issues of concern to area communities, particularly in the Kentucky River, Big Sandy and Cumberland Valley Area Development Districts. (The Foundation is hosting additional regional health forums in other areas of the state.)

The workshop from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., titled “Building Healthier Communities,” is part of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Health for a Change training series. Participants will learn about and discuss various community-led strategies for improving local health; it will include presentations from CANE, HEAL (Help End Addiction for Life), and Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation’s Farmacy program.

The CANE kitchen will provide a free dinner and the Letcher County Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. (ET), followed by the Levitt AMP Whitesburg Music Series that evening.

If you have questions regarding attending the forum, contact Mary Jo Shircliffe at 877-326-2583.

You can also register by clicking here.