Transforming Health on Chicago’s South Side
JT partnered with GoldStar Communications on a public education and advocacy campaign to secure state funding for critically needed health transformation on Chicago’s South Side.
We developed a strategic roadmap and, within the first ten days, held a virtual town hall session convened by the University of Chicago Medical Center, Advocate Health Care and St. Bernard Hospital and led by community members. More than 140 people attended and provided feedback and ideas on what makes a healthy community.
Community leaders hosted a dozen small group listening sessions, more than 200 South Side residents completed a survey seeking their input, and a second town hall shared early plans and a model for transformation. This effort was followed by 11 small group community-led breakout sessions for more than 100 participants.
JT/GoldStar drafted talking points, coordinated presentation slides, developed a community facilitator guide, held briefing sessions, prepared questions and handled all logistics for the multifaceted virtual events.
The JT/GoldStar team also strategically placed a number of media stories in local and metro media outlets, and developed presentations and talking points for direct outreach to state leaders and decision makers.
Our website became a resource of community engagement and information – and also an ongoing portal for community input and potential activation. We produced a number of tools including two videos amplifying community voices and the critical need for better health outcomes on Chicago’s South Side.
The Black Caucus of the Illinois General Assembly drove a robust agenda during the January 2021 lame duck session, which included the enabling legislation necessary to begin a process for awarding $150 million in federal and state transformation funds.
We were thrilled when this legislation passed – unanimously in both Houses – and are now embarking on the next phase of community engagement and other communications to support the process to secure the funding needed to make health transformation a sustainable reality for South Side residents.
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