Strengthening Partnerships for Healthier Schools, Families, and Communities in North Carolina

Strong partnerships are essential to improving child and family health at the community level, yet organizations often face challenges finding opportunities to connect, share resources, and align efforts around common goals.

Across North Carolina, schools and community organizations are working to address barriers related to nutrition access and education, student wellness, family engagement, and sustainability. While many impactful initiatives are underway, creating stronger pathways for collaboration remains essential to sustaining and expanding this work.

With support from Novo Nordisk Inc., Alliance for a Healthier Generation convened partners through the Healthier Generation, Healthier North Carolina (HGHNC) Networking Initiative in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, this March. The gathering brought together schools, public health and community organizations, Cooperative Extension representatives, and local initiatives for a day of relationship building and collaborative problem-solving focused on improving health outcomes for children and families.

"While many impactful initiatives are underway, creating stronger pathways for collaboration remains essential to sustaining and expanding this work."

The Healthier Generation team facilitated activities designed to encourage peer learning and locally led solutions. Through breakout sessions, gallery walks, networking opportunities, and Seed Money Grant recipient showcases, participants explored successful strategies and identified opportunities for future collaboration.

Participants discussed challenges impacting their work, including understaffing, communication barriers, unstable funding, limited family engagement, and poor nutrition access. They also highlighted the strengths within their communities, including partnerships, evidence-based nutrition education programs, school gardens, and after-school initiatives. Together, these conversations helped create a clearer understanding of where additional support, resources, and alignment are needed.

A recurring theme throughout the meeting was the power of connection and collaboration. Attendees exchanged ideas, shared lessons learned, and identified practical ways to leverage existing resources and strengthen collective efforts. The Seed Money Grant recipient showcases further highlighted local innovation, demonstrating how community-driven strategies can create meaningful and lasting change.

As HGHNC continues supporting School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs) and community partnerships across the state, convenings like this help build the foundation for long-term impact.

“It’s always a pleasure to meet passionate like-minded individuals to brainstorm, connect and engage,” said Martina Sconiers-Talbert, grants manager at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health. “The Healthier Generation project team’s facilitation and leadership encourage partnership building, collaboration, and shared resources to meet the needs of families, schools, and communities. I look forward to future opportunities to network and partner with others in the community.”

"By creating spaces where organizations feel connected, supported, and empowered, communities are better positioned to drive healthier outcomes for schools, families, and future generations."

To learn more about the Healthier Generation, Healthier North Carolina project and its network of partners, contact the Healthier Generation team.

Explore Healthier Generation's work to advance health and well-being in North Carolina:

• Building a Healthier Bertie County: Collaboration Promotes Well-Being for Students and Families
• Growing Full Futures: Student Leaders Cultivate Food Access in Charlotte, NC 

-By Jamika Lynch, Project Manager at Healthier Generation