PROGRAMS / INITIATIVES
MISSISSIPPI HEALTH FIRST
S.T.A.R. Initiative
SUSTAINING TOGETHER BY ADVANCING RESOURCES INITIATIVE
A collaborative effort focused on educating people with diabetes in Mississippi
The Mississippi Health First (MHF) Collaborative consisting of Federal and non-federal entities sponsored a Diabetes Kick-Off Event (Magic in Meridian – The Power is in Your Hands) on August 19, 2010, with the support of the Meridian Public Housing Authority. The purpose of the event was to inform and recruit people with diabetes about the MHF project which offers free diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes in the State of Mississippi. During the meeting, a new initiative called, "Sustaining Together by Advancing Resources" (STAR) was initiated. The purpose of the STAR initiative is to sustain diabetes education after the Mississippi Health First (MHF) initiative has ended, and to continue recruiting and educating people living with diabetes in the State of Mississippi. At the meeting, approximately thirty people signed-up to become a STAR.
On September 30, 2010, a follow-up STAR meeting was hosted by HCD International (HCDI) and held at the Meridian Housing Authority. The meeting was attended by various representatives of the Meridian faith-based community, civic leaders, and representatives from health-related organizations and residents of local housing communities. At that meeting with STAR members and other interested partners, a leader was identified who is committed to sustaining the MHF project. The STAR concept, goals and objectives, and establishing Regional Star Units across Mississippi were also discussed at that meeting. The Meridian STAR team is totally self-sustained with local private support in the community through local grassroots and community-based organizations.
HCDI has continued the effort of sustaining the STAR initiative by having its "on-the-ground staff" in Mississippi meet with leadership in Hattiesburg to initiate a new STAR team in that area. Other areas under consideration are Clarksdale, Biloxi and Greenville, Mississippi.
The overall goal is to expand community-based outreach efforts to continue DSME classes through STAR.
Visit the Image Gallery to see photos of the February 23rd MHF Partnership Meeting
Yes, I Am A STAR
MHF Collaborative Partners
- U.S. Administration on Aging
- American Association of Diabetes Educators
- American Diabetes Association
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- National Academy for State Health Policy
- National Institutes of Health
- Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health
MHF Contractors
- HCD International
- Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC
- Information & Quality Healthcare