FOR RELEASE:             September 7, 2004

CONTACT:                    Sona Iyengar, Fletcher Allen Public Affairs

                                    (802) 847-9334

Community Invited to Public Forum on Health and Social Service Needs; "Community Spotlight" to be Held September 23rd

On September 23rd, Fletcher Allen, the United Way of Chittenden County, and the Champlain Initiative are presenting "Community Spotlight" -- a community forum to gather public feedback about health and social service needs in our community. The event takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn in Colchester and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

At the forum, the organizations will present results of the 2004 Community Assessment, a survey of community and health care needs in Chittenden County and in Fletcher Allen's service area. The survey was conducted this past spring and summer. More than 1,500 individuals completed the assessment in a variety of ways including on-line, and through telephone and printed surveys. 

Those attending the forum will have the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the survey. Topics to be discussed include: Best Things About Our Community; Top Health and Wellness Concerns; Top Community Concerns; and Emerging Issues. 

Pre-registration by September 20th for the forum is encouraged, but drop-ins are also welcome.  To register, or for more information, call Jaime Gagnon at the United Way at 864-7541. Additional forums will be held at other times and locations throughout the fall.  Contact Jaime Gagnon after September 23 for more information about those meetings.