How we use our Voice
We recognize that our work as a funder is only one way in which we can fulfill the promise of our mission – through leadership and advocacy we actively work to cultivate changes that will improve the health and well-being for everyone that calls our region home.
Leadership
It takes many different approaches to improve the underlying conditions influencing health. Through our leadership efforts, we:
- Collaborate with other foundations.
- Work together with local health care and social service providers.
- Contribute to coalitions and workgroups and work with partners to build networks that may leverage new opportunities, services, or efforts in our region.
- Engage partners and stakeholders to solve problems.
As of 2024, FCH staff hold leadership positions with the Connecticut Council on Philanthropy, Litchfield County Opiate Task Force, Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity, Northwest Connecticut Funders Collaborative, and the Hudson Valley Funders Network.
Nonprofit Community of Practice
Another significant leadership effort of FCH is our Nonprofit Community of Practice (CoP). Launched in 2023, the CoP centers and supports learning between nonprofit leaders, based on the belief that mutual support and shared learning will foster the most durable outcomes for our region.
Advocacy
Through our advocacy efforts, we aim to influence the policies and practices that shape services in our region and community-level infrastructure. We participate in committees, respond to policy decisions, and give testimony.
Recent Statements and Testimony
Our Response to Connecticut Office of Rural Health’s Proposed Decision to Deny Nuvance’s Request to Close Sharon Hospital’s Labor and Delivery (2023)
Testimony in Support of S.B. 476, An Act Concerning the Office of Health Strategy’s Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions to Community Benefit Programs (2022)
Testimony at CON Public Hearing Regarding Nuvance Health’s Request to Close Labor and Delivery (2022)
Testimony at CON Public Hearing Regarding Merger of Western Connecticut Health Network and Health Quest (2018)
Federal, state, and local officials speak at press briefing at Sharon Town Hall on August 30, 2023.
Photo by FCH staff.
Our Response to Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy’s Decision
In 2023, Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy (OHS) denied Nuvance Health’s request to close Sharon Hospital’s Labor and Delivery services. The OHS decision underscores their commitment to equitable healthcare access.