Williamson Health and Wellness Center
- Project Title: Healthy in the Hills Network
- Program Representative Interviewed: Amy Dearfield Hannah
- Location: Williamson, WV
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Program Overview: Williamson Health and Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health
Center that houses the Healthy in the Hills Network, a cross-sector collaboration of partners in southern
West Virginia. The Healthy in the Hills Network began as a grant-funded diabetes prevention coalition in
2012. At the end of the grant period, the coalition changed its name to the Healthy in the Hills Network and
changed its focus to addressing upstream determinants of health, including supporting healthy eating
patterns in the community. The network has helped establish a community garden to support food access for
community members with low income. The network also formed partnerships with the Mingo County Redevelopment
Authority and local farmers to increase access to healthy food at farmers markets. Future priorities for the
network include employment opportunities, transportation, broadband access, and mental and behavioral
healthcare access.
Community members with lived experience participate in the network and help shape the vision for the cross-sector collaboration. The network uses a consensus-based approach to decision-making, and every member of the network can vote as part of the decision-making process.