Mission: To help bring about policy, system, and environmental changes in the community that create opportunities for everyone to be as healthy as they can be.

Vision: Marion County’s culture prioritizes, values, and promotes equitable opportunities for everyone in the community to have a healthy lifestyle and be as healthy as they can be.

Values: The coalition’s work is guided by the values of equity, inclusion, education, evaluation, sustainability, collaboration, and evidence based best and emerging practices and strategies.

To learn more about the Creating Healthy Communities initiative and its statewide impact, please click here.

2020 Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held at 10:00 am

  • March 5, 2020 – Marion Naz, 233 W Church St.
  • June 4, 2020 – Marion Chamber, 237  W Center St.
  • September 3, 2020 – TBD
  • December 3, 2020 – Center Street Community Health Center

Meeting dates are intended for all members of the Creating Healthy Communities and Pioneering Healthy Communities Coalitions. This will provide members with an opportunity to stay informed and engaged. Additional coalition participation can be utilized through work on our action teams. Currently, CHC Marion maintains a leadership team, built environment, and healthy food access action team. To learn more about leadership and action team opportunities, please contact Erin Creeden – ecreeden@marionpublichealth.org

Creating Healthy Communities Success Stories

Learn how we’ve increased access to food through the Produce Perks incentive program  – read our success story here!

Coalition Evaluation Results

Learn more about the coalition and those who represent the community involved in it – click here!

Get Involved!

If you are interested in getting involved with Creating Healthy Communities, or for more information on the CHC programs, please contact Erin Creeden at 740-692-9128 or by email at ecreeden@marionpublichealth.org

Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Marion County Creating Health Communities, Ohio Health, Marion City Schools, and The Ohio State University Extension, Marion County have come to together to bring you the Free Mobile Produce Markets!

Check out the dates and locations here!

Coalition Partners

Marion Family YMCA
Marion County Commissioners
Elgin Local School
Tri-Rivers Career Center
Marion City Schools
River Valley Local Schools
Pleasant Local School
Ridgedale Local Schools
City of Marion
Marion Technical College
The Ohio State University Marion
Whirlpool
Center St Community Clinic
Regional Planning
Village of New Bloomington
Marion County Park District
Marion Matters
Marion Visitors Bureau
Marion Area Chamber
Downtown Marion, Inc. Manager
Marion Co DD Board
United Way of Marion Co
Ohio Health-Marion General Hospital
OSU Extension
Boys & Girls Club
Marion Twp Trustee Road Superintendent
Job & Family Services
Marion City Parks
City Council
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
Marion City Police
Prospect Village
Marion Senior Center
Local Residents

2020 Marion County Healthy Communities Objectives

Healthy Eating

  • Healthy Food Guidelines – Marion County will implement and/or enforce healthy eating policies as evidenced by an increase in two Food Service Guidelines.
  • Healthy food Retail – The West-side of Marion County will increase access to healthy food options as evidenced by an increase in healthy food retail.
  • Fruit & Vegetable Prescriptions – The establishment of one Produce Prescription program will increase access to healthy foods, targeting those north-end residents.

Active Living

  • Park & Playground – in Marion County, the CHC coalition will work to increase the number of adults/youth that have access to places for physical activity through the establishment of a new neighborhood park.
  • Active Transportation – West-side of Marion City will improve and increase active transportation support through the increase of an active transportation plan.
  • Walking & Biking Improvements – North-end residents will increase access to physical activity as a result of 4 bike infrastructure improvements.

Community & Coalition Development

  • Activating Community Partners & Residents – The Marion County Coalition will activate and empower local residents and partners to address the needs of our community by working collaboratively to create lasting community change.
  • Health Equity – The local coalition will increase education and awareness surrounding health disparities and inequities in our community and focus on evidence based interventions that reach those most disproportionately impacted.
  • Livability – Together we are building community pride! We are working to create a safer, healthier, and more inclusive community where residents have access to the resources they need to thrive and prosper.