Across the country, new opportunities like the BUILD Health Challenge are pushing community organizations to form cross-sector partnerships in order to improve population health and promote health equity . One valuable collaborative partner is the community development  sector, which brings public and private investment into place-based initiatives. How are communities leveraging Community Development Financial Institutions  (CDFIs) and other community development organizations to address their population health goals? Our guest panelists shared their insights during our October 5 Network Commons event.

The Network’s Managing Director, Colby Dailey, moderated a rich discussion with three local leaders spanning community development, public health, and health care:

• Jennifer Hadayia, Senior Policy Planner/Health Equity Coordinator, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Texas
• Michelle Melendez, Development Director, First Choice Community Healthcare, New Mexico
• Jay Minkarah, President/CEO, DevelopSpringfield, Massachusetts

Check out the highlights. Missed the event or need a refresher on our speakers’ practical tips? Check out this video recording of the October 5 event on the Build Healthy Places Network’s YouTube channel.  *Please note: From minutes 7 – 8:40, the audio is unclear due to technical difficulties – apologies for the inconvenience.*

Learn more. Read more about how each speaker has partnered with a CDFI to advance health equity goals, and check out these resources mentioned during the event:

• The Build Healthy Places Network’s web resources including blogs, case studies, and MeasureUp, a microsite focused on measurement.
• Building Community Around Food Access
• Three Ways that Connecting with CDFIs is Furthering Health Equity Goals in Harris county
• Addressing Healthcare’s Blindside in Albuquerque’s Southside by Joining Forces

Continue the conversation. Still pondering how community development can be leveraged to meet health equity goals? We’re continuing to answer these and other audience questions via Twitter @BHPNetwork #NetworkCommons. Join the conversation and tell us what you think!

Catch up on Network Commons. Interested in learning more about Network Commons? Check out highlights from our past events:

• How Can Hospitals Improve Neighborhoods?: June 27, 2016
• Early Childhood and the Role for Community Development: March 15, 2016
• Social Impact Investing for Better Health: February 25, 2016
• Community Close Ups: January 28, 2016
• Medical Care A-ha Moments: October 20, 2015
• Public Health A-ha Moments: August 20, 2015
• Community Development A-ha Moments: June 4, 2015