The Community Wellness Council is the public health convener for community-based organizations throughout Valencia County. It promotes community collaboration through coordination, assessment, and solutions to a wide variety of issues including wellness, health equity, injury prevention, and health promotion. Its work includes the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the 100% Valencia Initiative, which strives to ensure vulnerable residents receive critical services for a healthy life.

The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems based on community health assessments and improvement processes. Valencia County’s CHIP is reviewed every three years and helps local health, education, and human service agencies, along with community partners, set priorities and direct resources. It is a key strategy for developing policies and actions to target health promotion and is aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

The CWC began in 1993 as the Valencia County Coalition for Families, Children, and Community with a focus on building better futures for children and families. It transitioned to the Valencia Community Partnership in 1999, shifting to health assessment and planning. In 2010, this organization reorganized to become the CWC. Throughout its transitions, it has maintained its 501(c)(3) status and an active leadership team committed to community wellness.

Health priorities in Valencia County are determined by combining epidemiological data with community feedback. The process involves ranking indicators and topics based on community burden, disease prevalence, and upstream indicators. Community forums then categorize and rank these priorities through “dot voting.” The top priorities are proposed to the CWC Executive Board for consideration, ensuring they reflect the community’s voice and have the capacity to address them effectively. The CWC Executive Board selects the top priorities for action planning, with the goal of addressing key issues and improving overall community health.

You can review the New Member Orientation located on our website.