Past Meetings

To thank our members for a year of hard work, we provided the opportunity to network and enjoy nature during our July meeting. Members gathered to eat lunch, build connections with MCHC members they may not have connected with previously, and explore Wellfield Botanic Gardens.

To learn more, please review the full meeting synopsis.

Understanding and using rauma-informed practices allows health professionals and community members to interact with individuals who have experienced trauma in more productive ways. In the June 2026 MCHC meeting, members participated in a training session that provided them with tools to build trust with trauma-informed practices.

Read the full meeting summary here.

Every three years, hospital organizations are required to conduct Community Health Needs Assessments. The April MCHC meeting provided an overview of a new Joint CHNA effort, which aims to improve efficiency and strengthen outcomes through collaboration.

Read the full meeting summary here.

Each year, MCHC organizes a session to enable members to provide their expertise and feedback on topics relevant to the coalition's programming and goals. The March 2026 session enabled attendees to share their perspectives in small group discussions.

Read the full synopsis here.

As community members age, their support needs change. The February 2026 MCHC meeting explored a variety of older adult services and resources available in the local community, ranging from continuing education to dementia and hospice care.

Read the full synopsis here.

In an effort to make services and resources more accessible to community members, the OneRoof Southeast Neighborhood Center offers a welcoming space where multiple community organizations operate and offer services. At the January 2026 MCHC meeting, representatives from OneRoof and two of their partner organizations spoke to attendees about the services and support they offer.

Read the full meeting synopsis here.

Many are familiar with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but may not know all of the possible health concerns it can help address. In the December MCHC meeting, experts from the University of Notre Dame discussed how specialized forms of CBT can help treat insomnia and may potentially help support opioid recovery.

For a more in-depth review of this meeting's content, read the full synopsis.

Breast cancer and dementia are serious health concerns that impact many Hoosiers. During the October meeting, experts from two local organizations discussed the resources and programs available to community members affected by these diagnoses.

For more details on this meeting, read the full synopsis here.

This year, new federal and state legislation has impacted Medicaid. Representatives from Covering Kids and Families of Indiana and Oaklawn joined us in September to discuss these updates.

For more details on this meeting, read the full synopsis.

Food insecurity is an important issue that affects many community members across the region; however, there are many local organizations that aim to meet the community's food and nutrition needs. Three of these organizations joined us for our August meeting to discuss the programs, services, and resources they offer.

For more information on this month's meeting, review the full meeting synopsis linked here.

There are many services across the city of South Bend that aim to combat homelessness and increase housing availability, support individuals with substance use disorder, provide resources for returning citizens, and address the community impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Speakers at the July MCHC meeting outlined how their organizations are providing important community support services and resources today and how they plan to expand these offerings in the future.

For more details, read the full meeting synopsis.

To thank our members for a year full of hard work, we held a fun summer gathering for our June meeting. Members gathered to eat lunch, participate in various creative activities, and collaboratively brainstorm relevant topic ideas for future meetings.

For a full meeting synopsis, click here.

High-quality early childhood support builds a foundation for lifelong success. At the Michiana Community Health Coalition's (MCHC) April meeting, representatives from two regional organizations that support early childhood care and education discussed how they are working to improve outcomes and available resources in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.

For the full meeting synopsis, click here.

Lead contamination and poisoning is an important local issue that MCHC addresses annually. This year, we  welcomed representatives from the University of Notre Dame's Lead Innovation Team (ND LIT) and the South Bend Lead Protection Program to discuss their ongoing lead remediation efforts.

Read the full meeting synopsis here.

Although each rare disease affects a relatively small segment of the population, these diseases greatly impact individuals and overall community health. The Michiana Community Health Coalition's (MCHC) February meeting focused on understanding the importance of rare diseases, including sickle cell disease (SCD), and patient advocacy.

To read the full meeting synopsis, click here.

Stress and burnout is a major issue among healthcare workers and caregivers. The January Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) aimed to address this issue by inviting three speakers to discuss self-care tools and practices for preventing or managing burnout.

Click here for the full meeting synopsis.

The December MCHC meeting marked the close of a successful 2024, celebrating milestones like new membership, impactful initiatives on homelessness and maternal health, and the launch of a LinkedIn group for professional growth. Frank Spesia highlighted key accomplishments, including updates on lead prevention, opioid crises, and a winter weather amnesty program. Looking ahead to 2025, the MCHC plans to address caregiver burnout and support emotional regulation through the innovative LifePact initiative. Join the MCHC in January for more on these vital community health discussions.

Full recap here: 

The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) recently hosted its Annual Leadership Meeting, where members gathered to reflect on the coalition’s accomplishments and discuss future goals. Key highlights include the exciting involvement of Notre Dame Research in strengthening community health partnerships, updates to the MCHC website and resource hub, and the development of a decision tree to improve patient care coordination. The meeting also focused on professional development, member feedback, and strategies for tackling community health challenges in 2025. Read on to learn about the coalition’s ongoing work to improve healthcare systems and provide essential resources for the South Bend region.

As winter approaches, many community members face increased challenges with food insecurity and rising utility bills. This article explores critical local initiatives aimed at addressing these barriers, from the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) that helps families stay warm, to Cultivate Food Rescue’s innovative efforts in tackling food scarcity. It also highlights the professional development of Community Health Workers and introduces helpful tools like the "Community Compass" app for finding food resources. Dive into this article to learn about the impactful programs and resources available to support your community during the colder months.

To learn more about the impactful strategies and resources discussed at the MCHC meeting, read the full recap and discover how our community is responding to the opioid crisis.

 

South Bend Technology Resource Center in Ignition Park
1165 Franklin St #100,
South Bend, IN 46601
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) gathered at the South Bend Technology Resource Center on August 28, 2024, for an insightful presentation on leveraging LinkedIn, specifically tailored for community health workers (CHWs), followed by a valuable feedback session on improving MCHC support and resources for CHWs and the community.

Social media specialist, Tori Murphy, from the University of Notre Dame, shared practical steps to maximize LinkedIn’s potential using the SOAR framework: Strategize, Optimize, Amplify, and Relate. Attendees learned how to create a compelling profile, build meaningful connections, and increase visibility in their field. The session concluded with an open feedback discussion led by Frank Spesia, where participants shared suggestions on how MCHC could improve resources, connections, and meeting formats to better support CHWs and their community work.

For more details, read the full MCHC August meeting synopsis.

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
100 Raclin Murphy Museum
Notre Dame, IN 46556
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) hosted an interactive art-therapy session at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Facilitated by Sarah Martin, Curator of Education and Public Programs, the meeting included meditative art practices led by Emily Normand and interactive art practices guided by Rachel Mills. Members engaged in activities to enhance creativity, mindfulness, and community connection.

For more information, please read our full meeting recap.

Uptown Kitchen
7225 Heritage Square Dr.
Granger, IN 46530
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) held its biannual leadership meeting, bringing together the leadership of community partners, Notre Dame campus partners, and Community Health Workers (CHWs) for our biannual meeting aimed at growing collaboration and advancing public health initiatives.

Major areas of discussion included enhancing access to quality resources and care, promoting professional growth opportunities, developing promotional strategies for community wellness initiatives, and addressing sensitive topics like Narcan distribution and gun violence.

Insights from The CHW Sustainability Project emphasized sustainable funding models, and participants discussed strategies to attract more CHWs, leverage resources, and address community assistance needs. Resources shared included a survey link for CHW programs and the policy summit on September 13, 2024. 

For more information, please read our full meeting recap.

• Find more resources on CHW sustainability
• Take CHW Sustainability Survey
• Register for 2024 Indiana Wellness Summit

La Casa de Amistad
3423 S Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46614
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) held a meeting on "Building Empathy: Addressing Homelessness and Trauma in Our Community" at La Casa de Amistad.

Major areas of discussion included the relationship between community health work and empathy, with members sharing experiences on becoming trauma-informed to better serve homeless individuals. Discussions also focused on de-stigmatizing homelessness and understanding its various causes.

Insights from Carl Hetler, Pastor Emeritus, and Homeless Coordinator for the City of South Bend emphasized creating a trauma-aware environment, the importance of empathy, and providing resources for the homeless through initiatives like the South Bend Cares, Connects, and Constructs program. The meeting concluded with role-playing exercises to enhance skills in de-escalating conflicts and supporting trauma survivors. Read the full synopsis here.

St. Joseph County Public Library - Main Branch
304 S Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) held its monthly meeting on Maternal Health at the St. Joseph County Library. Hosted by Jennifer Lefever, Director of The William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, the meeting featured Dr. Yenupini Joyce Adams, Assistant Professor of the Practice and Global Maternal Research Lead for the Eck Institute for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame, and Sally Dixon, Registered Nurse and Maternal Health Coordinator at Beacon Community Impact.

They discussed the Pop-Up Pregnancy and Family Village project, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame, Health First St. Joseph County, and Beacon Community Impact, aimed at improving family development and equitable care for women in their prenatal, pregnancy, and post-partum journey. The project focuses on birth equity, reducing fetal infant mortality, and eliminating inequities in birth outcomes.

For more information, please read our full meeting recap.

• Learn more about Pop Up Pregnancy and Family Village
• Understand the Research Behind the "Pop Up Village"

Center for Hospice Care
501 Comfort Place
Mishawaka, IN 46545
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The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) hosted its monthly meeting on "Healthy Housing" at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka. Hosted by Jennifer Lefever and Jessica Brookshire, the meeting featured speakers Heidi Beidinger, Mary Kaczka, Nancy Coiro, and Catherine Osborn. Discussions focused on lead prevention, safe housing, and addressing homelessness through initiatives like Motels4Now.

For more information, please read our full meeting recap.

• Request free home lead testing kits
• Watch comprehensive lead poisoning prevention presentation (YouTube)

Civil Rights Heritage Center
1040 W Washington Street
South Bend, IN 46601

The Michiana Community Health Coalition (MCHC) hosted a meeting on civic engagement at the Civil Rights Heritage Center. Hosted by Ian Showe, the meeting featured speakers Kelli Brien, Takisha Jacobs, Kathy Schuth, and Charlotte Wolfe. Discussions focused on empowering birth experiences, confronting violence through activism, housing advocacy, and environmental sustainability.

For more information, please read our full meeting recap.