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CULTIVATING WELL-BEING: A Year of Community-Led Impact

2026 Annual Report

Our Six Community Workgroups

BE THE CHANGE Prevention Taskforce

Proudly Advancing Protective and Risk Factors in the Monadnock Region

PREPARED MONADNOCK

Proudly Advancing Emergency Preparedness in the Monadnock Region

MONADNOCK

HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES

Proudly Advancing Healthcare Access in the Monadnock Region

Proudly Advancing Behavioral Health in the Monadnock Region

MONADNOCK

Food Access Alliance

Proudly Advancing Food Access in the Monadnock Region

Table of Contents Welcome Message from Our Chair, Eileen Fernandes Our Mission and Priorities About Us

3 4 5-6

Leadership Team Advisory Council Our Approach

7-8

Objective and Key Results High-Impact Towns Welcome from Our Incoming Chair, Alicia Deaver 2025 All Member Meeting 2025-2026 Healthy Monadnock Alliance Workgroup Updates

9 10 11

Active Living Priority Area

12-14

Monadnock Outdoors Highlights Behavioral Health Priority Area

15-17

Trauma Responsive Monadnock Highlights Emergency Preparedness Priority Area

18-20

Prepared Monadnock Highlights Food Access Priority Area

21-23

Monadnock Food Access Alliance Highlights Healthcare Access Priority Area

24-26

Monadnock Healthcare Advocates Highlights Protective And Risk Factors Priority Area

27-29

Be The Change - Prevention Taskforce Highlights Healthy Monadnock Alliance; In the Community Our Member Organizations Closing Message from Tricia Zahn, Senior Director The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center Principal Supporter of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance

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Healthy Monadnock Alliance 2026 Highlights Over the past year, the Healthy Monadnock Alliance (HMA) has strengthened our commitment to collaboration by “getting it right inside”. To achieve this, we invited representatives from each of our six workgroups, along with community advisors, to form the HMA Advisory Council.

This strategic integration has enabled us to share resources and ideas more efficiently, fostering unity and a shared goal across our initiatives. The highlights below demonstrate how our work has enhanced lives and strengthened connections throughout our community over the past year.

HMA Workgroup Members

$313K

Worth of Grants Were Invested in Our Community

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

HMA Member Organizations

Supporting

20 +

Community Initiatives

Impacting Over

100K

Monadnock Region Residents

Innovation truly thrives where community and collaboration intersect, weaving together diverse ideas and strengths to create solutions that uplift us all. Eileen Fernandes Healthy Monadnock Alliance Chair

$20K

Was Raised to Purchase Local Food for Distribution at Mobile Food Pantry Events

Community Partners are Now Licensed to Facilitate the PreVenture Program

200+

Community Members Have Participated in a Trauma 101 Workshop

50+

Community Members Have Utilized the Monadnock Gear Library

Partnered with

482

Community Members Have Been Trained in a Lifesaving Topic

Regional Hospitals to Increase Access to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Welcome Dear friends of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance, Thank you for taking the time to read our 2026 annual report. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the hard work of our members. This year has brought both distinct challenges and accomplishments. Two years ago, our six workgroups established ambitious Objective and Key Results (OKRs) to ground our strategic roadmap. This biennial cycle taught us invaluable lessons about managing expectations while maintaining the momentum needed to drive regional health equity. This past year, each of our workgroups achieved significant milestones. For instance, our behavioral health workgroup aimed to educate 125 community members about the causes and impacts of trauma. They exceeded this goal, reaching over 200 individuals in the Monadnock region. Our food access workgroup set out to establish an additional Mobile Food Pantry location, and under the leadership of The Community Kitchen, this resource has successfully supported many outlying towns. Additionally, through a partnership with Cheshire Medical Center and Monadnock Community Hospital, our healthcare access workgroup has raised awareness of the importance of breast and cervical cancer screenings by streamlining the interest form for the state’s no-cost screening program. These accomplishments are not just milestones—they are stepping stones toward a healthier future for our community. I hope the stories and data within this report inspire you to join our movement. If any of our priority areas align with your personal or professional passions, we warmly invite you to collaborate with us. Please visit Healthy Monadnock Alliance to learn more about our workgroups or find out how to become a member organization. This is an incredibly dynamic time for our region, and we look forward to building a healthier community alongside you.

Eileen Fernandes

Healthy Monadnock Alliance Leadership Team Chair 2025-2027

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Our Mission As an Alliance, we are dedicated to creating a compassionate community where health equity and emerging community needs are at the forefront of our work. Join us in creating a movement as we work together to achieve better health and well-being for all.

Our Priorities Our strategic goals are based on the Greater Monadnock Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). This plan, rooted in findings of our region’s Community Health Needs Assessment, is drafted by the Healthy Monadnock Alliance Leadership Team and Advisory Council with support from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center.

The CHIP includes input from numerous public health partners and community members, who work together to create a roadmap for regional health priority areas. Using this roadmap, we focus on several key factors that affect health outcomes. However, we know that these factors do not impact each area equally. With this awareness, we approach each of our priority areas grounded in a commitment to equity, bearing in mind the impactful roles social drivers of health and trauma play in our lives.

Active Living Behavioral Health Emergency Preparedness Food Access Healthcare Access Protective and Risk Factors

healthymonadnockalliance.org

About Us The Healthy Monadnock Alliance (HMA) serves as the Public Health Network for the Greater Monadnock region, bringing together community leaders to create a compassionate, region-wide network focused on population health and emerging needs. With decades of experience, our goal is to enhance the quality of life for all residents by expanding opportunities and ensuring access to essential resources for healthy living.

Leadership Team The Healthy Monadnock Leadership Team is essential to our mission, supporting the Advisory Council and aligning our work with the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). They also collaborate with The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center to meet grant deliverables and manage CHIP revisions. Additionally, they are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for collaboration by creating inclusive meeting agendas, inviting diverse guest speakers, and clearly defining expected outcomes for each gathering. They make informed decisions on funding opportunities, provide support to the Healthy Monadnock Alliance (HMA) workgroups and stakeholders, and ensure the annual report is approved. These intentional efforts enhance understanding of both HMA and the CHIP within the Monadnock region, while also helping to recruit and retain Alliance members.

Eileen Fernandes (Chair) Community Member 5

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Alicia Deaver (Incoming Chair) Rise for Baby and Family

Tammy Dwyer Cheshire Medical Center

Ed Walker (Past Chair) Town of Peterborough

Advisory Council The Healthy Monadnock Alliance’s Advisory Council consists of representatives from each of the six HMA workgroups, community advisors, and advocacy specialists. The council promotes collaboration and communication within the Alliance and supports the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). They also approve the annual report, oversee HMA leadership elections, and contribute to the CHIP revision process, ensuring community perspectives are integrated into our regional health strategies to improve effectiveness, engagement, and support.

Suzanne Bansley Cheshire County

Alyssa Bender-Jesse City of Keene

Eileen Fernandes (Chair) Community Member

Benée Hershon Cheshire County Conservation District

Dennis Calcutt Connected Families NH

Sara Fisher Cheshire Medical Center

Marissa Mannion-King Cheshire Medical Center

Alicia Deaver Rise for Baby and Family

Allan Gillis Community Volunteer Transportation Company

Julie Quinn Monadnock Community Hospital

Tammy Dwyer Cheshire Medical Center

Sarah Harpster NH Hunger Solutions

Roe-Ann Tasoulas Monadnock Grown Coalition

Ed Walker Town of Peterborough

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Our Approach

Population Health Fundamentals

Objective and Key Results Over the past two years, HMA has been using the Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework to prioritize our work. This structured approach has encouraged each of our workgroups to define clear, high-level objectives and hold themselves accountable for measurable targets. Adopting this rigorous methodology required each workgroup to navigate a steep learning curve in tracking, measurement, and data collection. After successfully completing our first cycle of OKRs, we have officially transitioned from building a new priority framework to evaluating our progress. As we begin to review the results of this initial cycle, the data not only highlights our tangible programmatic achievements but also provides strategic insights that will guide our Alliance as each workgroup defines their 2026-2028 OKRs.

Completing this first OKR cycle has demonstrated that our greatest strength lies in our ability to innovate and adapt together. What started as a new method for identifying priority actions and measuring impact ultimately enhanced our connection to the mission and to each other, transforming the way we collaborate. Tammy Dwyer

OKR Trainer/Facilitator and Director of Community Engagement The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center 7

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

High-Impact Towns As an Alliance, we understand that different communities require different levels of support for their action plans. This understanding led to the creation of the Community Well-being Impact Guide and the High-Impact Town model. We aim to strengthen our efforts across the region by implementing this model and to assist the Healthy Monadnock Alliance workgroups in making a more significant impact in the eight designated "High-Impact Towns" in our region. These towns have been identified as having the greatest needs and the greatest opportunities to improve community well-being on a broad scale. For over four years, the Healthy Monadnock Alliance has utilized the High-Impact Town model to guide our work, maximize our public health initiatives, and support the well-being of the Monadnock region. During that time, we have published several reports promoting this model, presented it at various local, state, and national public health conferences, and shared the concept of High-Impact Towns with many of our public health partners in our community. The following highlights some of the results achieved with this model over the past year.

The Mobile Food Pantry Program Distributed Over

12,690

Meal Equivalents Throughout the Monadnock Region

Regional Map of High-Impact Towns

10K+

Postcards Were Sent to Households Providing Information About the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program

Regional Middle Schools Administered the Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey healthymonadnockalliance.org

Welcome from Our Incoming Chair It is an honor to serve as the incoming Chair of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance (HMA). HMA is one of the greatest assets in the Monadnock region, as it unites organizations, community members, and leaders who share a common commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community. Every success we achieve reflects the dedication, collaboration, and generosity of HMA's many members. As I step into this role, I do so with deep appreciation for the leadership that has come before me and those who contribute so much to making this region better for the people within it. Together, we have built a strong foundation of trust, partnership, and shared purpose. While the challenges facing our community are complex, so too is our collective capacity to address them. By continuing to work together, share ideas, and build meaningful partnerships, we can create lasting change. Our responsibility is not only to respond to today's challenges, but to steward the partnerships and systems that will support future generations. Thank you for your commitment to this work and for helping make the Monadnock region a healthier place for all. I look forward to what we will accomplish together.

Alicia Deaver

Healthy Monadnock Alliance Leadership Team Incoming Chair 2027-2029

Alicia Deaver, Ph.D., CCLS, is the Executive Director of Rise for Baby and Family. Alicia has lived in Keene since 2018 and loves living in the Monadnock region. Her passion is early childhood education, with a focus on social-emotional development and helping families to thrive. During her time in Alaska and Mississippi, she worked in various direct service and management positions focused on bolstering children’s mental health and well-being by improving the quality of early care and education programs, providing individualized developmental and behavioral support to children, and supporting families. She is a proponent of the Strengthening Families and Pyramid Model frameworks for building inclusive communities that support the unique needs of children and families. Alicia has a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with an emphasis on Child Life. She became a certified Child Life Specialist in 2006. She has a master’s degree in Early Intervention and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies. Outside of her work, she loves spending time with her family, cooking and baking, hiking, and simply enjoying nature.

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

2025 All Member Meeting Each September, we convene our annual Healthy Monadnock Alliance All Member Meeting, a key event that engages all members and reflects on our collective achievements. In 2024, we introduced an exciting new framework: Objective and Key Results (OKR), designed to streamline our efforts and enhance outcomes. At this year's All Member Meeting, each of our six HMA workgroups presented their progress and accomplishments as we reached the halfway point of our first OKR cycle. As members moved around the room, workgroup chairs shared insights into their goals, challenges, and strategies, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. This approach allowed members to leverage the collective expertise of like-minded individuals to solidify ideas, enhance programs, and plan future community initiatives.

What impressed me the most was the incredible variety of perspectives that emerged as participants moved between tables. The collaborative atmosphere was truly infectious, and I left feeling inspired and eager to get more involved in this work. Alicia Deaver

Executive Director, Rise for Baby and Family HMA Leadership Team Incoming Chair 2027-2029

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Healthy Monadnock Alliance 2026 Workgroup Updates The following pages detail the efforts of the six Healthy Monadnock Alliance workgroups from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This period marked year two of our first implementation of the Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework, introducing a new process for tracking and measurement. Many of the Key Results undertaken by our workgroups involved innovative concepts that had not been attempted in our community before, requiring workgroups to build their programs entirely from the ground up. Navigating this new methodology while launching unprecedented projects meant that many of our two-year OKRs were not fully completed—a common outcome in the first cycle of OKR implementation. As we move forward, these unfinished Key Results will serve as the foundation for future programmatic growth and provide valuable insights that will enhance our strategic focus. As we reflect on this implementation period, we celebrate the hard work, adaptability, and resilience demonstrated by all six workgroups. It is also important to note that while most Key Results were process measures, indicating a clear “did we achieve our goal” framework, a few were outcome measures, meaning the impact of their work may take several years to fully materialize.

For more information about each workgroup or to become involved in this important work, visit healthymonadnockalliance.org

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Monadnock Outdoors

Active Living Priority Area

Monadnock Outdoors Year in Review: Highlights and Growth Monadnock Outdoors has experienced a year filled with meaningful growth, collaboration, and significant community impact. A standout achievement was the continued success of the Monadnock Gear Library, which surpassed its goal of welcoming 50 new community members. Since its inception at the Keene Public Library two years ago, the Monadnock Gear Library has served 107 unique individuals who have borrowed a total of 333 pieces of outdoor equipment. Notably, every item in the library's collection has been borrowed at least once, reflecting both the value of the Gear Library and the community's enthusiasm for outdoor exploration.

Community feedback continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Gear Library's offerings. Responding to user suggestions and input from Keene Public Library staff, additional equipment was incorporated this year, including upgraded kayak paddles and an ultralight camping tent. These new items help ensure that the collection remains relevant and accessible for both novice and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. This accomplishment, as well as the success of their Objective and Key Results (OKRs), was due to their consistent core workgroup members. Their active engagement in meetings, idea-sharing, and resource collaboration has strengthened partnerships and generated momentum toward shared goals. In June 2026, the workgroup held a planning retreat to develop a new set of OKRs that will guide their initiatives and priorities over the next two years.

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Objective and Key Results Significantly Increase Access and Engagement with Outdoor Recreation Resources to Vulnerable Communities. This year marked a significant milestone with the expansion of the Gear Library to a second location, through their partnership with Distant Hill Gardens, who secured funding for a TerrainHopper, an all-terrain motorized wheelchair. This remarkable addition allows individuals with mobility challenges to explore trails and enjoy nature in ways that were previously unavailable. With Gear Library locations now at both the Keene Public Library and Distant Hill Gardens, Monadnock Outdoors continues to grow their gear inventory, further expanding access to outdoor recreation across the region. Monadnock Outdoors also continued to grow their community outreach by distributing seasonal press releases and resource updates to a network of more than 100 service provider organizations and media outlets, far surpassing their annual goal of maintaining regular communication with at least 15 organizations. These ongoing communications help ensure that residents throughout the region are aware of valuable resources, including the Outdoor Recreation Map, Monadnock Gear Library, workshops, and community events. Public engagement also remained a central focus of their work. During the year, workgroup members collaborated on more than six public-facing events designed to introduce community members to Monadnock Outdoors

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Photo courtesy of the Barbara Stone Foundation

resources and encourage outdoor participation. These included Pollinator Palooza in both 2024 and 2025, the HighEfficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) Workshop, Monadnock Gear Library Workshops, Community Strolls, and other outreach opportunities. These events continue to provide valuable opportunities to connect with residents, share resources, and build relationships with community partners. While Monadnock Outdoors has celebrated many successes this year, they also encountered challenges. While collaborating with Southwest Region Planning Commission to improve the Outdoor Recreation Resource Map, ArcGIS retired the mapping software that powered the existing map, rendering it unusable and requiring significant redevelopment. Although this unexpected change delayed progress toward their goal, it also created an opportunity to reimagine the mapping platform and improve the quality of their outdoor resource data. This work remains underway, with outreach and website enhancements continuing into the coming year.

Looking Forward Looking ahead, Monadnock Outdoors is wellpositioned to build on this year's achievements. As the Monadnock Gear Library enters its third year, the workgroup is excited to continue expanding equitable access to outdoor recreation through gear rentals and the new TerrainHopper. They aim to enhance their digital resources, which are vital for their Outdoor Recreation Map and website engagement. The workgroup also plans to strengthen community partnerships and respond to community needs with additional innovative offerings.

I am so grateful for the community members who are a part of Monadnock Outdoors. Working with regional partners who have different expertise and perspectives but share the same passion and dedication to advancing active living in our region and fostering connection to nature is essential to the success of our work. Benée Hershon Workgroup Chair and District Manager Cheshire County Conservation District

Monadnock Outdoors Chair, Members, and Member Organizations Benée Hershon (Chair) Cheshire County Conservation District Susan Bloom Keene Public Library Nina Branwen Cheshire County Conservation District Marti Fiske Keene Public Library

Amanda Gourgue Bike Walk Alliance NH Lesley Johnson Surry Conservation Commission Robert Meissner Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative

Michael Nerrie Distant Hill Gardens Rowland Russell City of Keene - Bike Path Committee Hannah Silverblank Distant Hill Gardens

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Trauma Responsive Monadnock

Behavioral Health Priority Area

Trauma Responsive Monadnock Year in Review: Highlights and Growth Trauma Responsive Monadnock (TRM) has undergone a transition period in the past year, facing both challenges and achievements. Despite these obstacles, TRM's leadership has taken proactive steps, including appointing a new chair, to ensure that the workgroup maintains momentum and visibility during this transitional period. While membership and participation in the workgroup have declined compared to three years ago, the remaining core group is dedicated and encompasses diverse voices from the broader community, including youth, trauma survivors, and local service members. TRM is inspired by the commitment of their workgroup and has embraced a renewed clarity regarding their goals and

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

the impact of their work throughout our community. TRM has also prioritized improvements in their internal processes and external branding, continuity, and engagement. Throughout the year, workgroup members have convened to formalize their meeting structure and evaluate meeting frequency (whether to meet monthly or bi-monthly). Additionally, they are working to enhance their tracking systems to better document their work and its impact, as well as develop a brand kit to ensure consistent communication in the future. They hope that these foundational improvements will empower their workgroup and clarify the significance of their efforts for the community.

Trauma Responsive Monadnock has made progress in their outreach initiatives. With the assistance of an intern, TRM has implemented substantial updates to their website, including the addition of videos and a pop-up event. The workgroup has also improved their social media presence by sharing more authentic and personal posts, resulting in greater reach and engagement.

Objective and Key Results Equip Community Members to Practice TraumaInformed Principles. Throughout the year, Trauma Responsive Monadnock has made significant progress on their Objective and Key Results (OKRs) by engaging over 200 community members in a Trauma 101 course. This course empowered individuals by educating them about the vital connection between the brain and body as it relates to trauma, while also providing practical tools to implement trauma-responsive principles in their daily lives. The course has been extremely well received, garnering overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community. It has also received praise from TRM funding partners and at local leadership events. This highlights the course’s impact and importance as TRM works to create a more traumaresponsive community throughout the Monadnock region. The workgroup also worked on developing marketing materials to engage local organizations and business owners on the steps they can take to become a more traumaresponsive workplace. The aim is to create a comprehensive suite of resources that not only inform but also inspire action

towards fostering environments that prioritize emotional health and well-being. TRM intends to use these promotional materials as well as ambassadors to meet organizations “where they are” and help coach them through the process. Through personalized outreach and engaging storytelling, the initiative seeks to highlight the profound impact that traumainformed practices can have on employee satisfaction and overall productivity.

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Looking Forward As Trauma Responsive Monadnock begins another two-year OKR cycle, they are eager to refocus their efforts on a community-centered objective that emphasizes education, organizational adoption, restorative practices, and effective communication. This renewed commitment reflects their understanding of the complex challenge communities face and the importance of addressing them holistically. Their goal is to foster a sense of belonging within our community by embracing trauma-responsive principles. The workgroup believes that by prioritizing these elements, they can create a supportive environment that addresses individuals' needs while also strengthening collective resilience and connection.

Taking on the role of Chair for Trauma Responsive Monandock has been an inspiring experience. The commitment, perseverance, and dedication of those who came before me have paved the way for our current progress and future successes. It is a privilege to build on their contributions as we continue moving forward. Dennis Calcutt

Workgroup Chair and Director Connected Families NH

Trauma Responsive Monadnock Chair, Members, and Member Organizations Dennis Calcutt (Chair) Connected Families NH Alyssa Bender-Jesse City of Keene - Youth Services Gina Burke Community Member Sophie Carney-Brenner Monadnock United Way

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Sandi Corrieri Community Member Eileen Fernandes Community Member Samantha Grisson-Hill Monadnock Youth Coalition

Patrick Heneghan Cheshire County - Restorative Justice Lesley Johnson Surry Conservation Committee John Letendre Cheshire Medical Center

Jodi Newell Family Life Advocate CJ Vinas City of Keene - Youth Services Alison Welsh Cheshire County

Prepared Monadnock

Emergency Preparedness Priority Area

Prepared Monadnock Year in Review: Highlights and Growth Over the past year, Prepared Monadnock has laid a solid foundation for several Key Results through a variety of initiatives. These initiatives included educational programs, volunteer coordination, building regional partnerships, conducting training sessions, and modernizing their technical resources to better serve the community. A significant milestone for the workgroup was their full-day emergency preparedness session held at the annual Radically Rural Summit in Keene. This workshop offered practical training in rural crisis management, equipping participants with valuable skills to handle emergencies effectively.

Particular emphasis was placed on amateur (HAM) radio communication systems, which are essential for maintaining connectivity during infrastructure failures. Prepared Monadnock also assessed in organizing the annual "Rescuers Reunited with the Rescued" event, which brings together sudden cardiac arrest survivors and the individuals who saved them. The celebration highlights regional heroism while inspiring others to embrace local volunteerism and acquire emergency skills. Additionally, Prepared Monadnock helped to develop the 2025 Heart Safe Community Report. This data-driven publication evaluates local cardiac response infrastructure and maps out future public health interventions.

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Objective and Key Results Save Lives by Equipping Individuals to Help Themselves and Others Be Physically Safe During Emergencies. Prepared Monadnock expanded their public Hands-Only CPR program. By collaborating with local community partners, they increased access to classes that teach vital life-saving skills. To elevate training quality, they coordinated with vendors and the Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to purchase updated CPR training manikins. These tools provide realistic practice to maximize student confidence. Prepared Monadnock was eager to support the New Hampshire CPR Challenge during National EMS Week in June to boost our regional preparedness by increasing the number of community members trained. In addition to hosting their own CPR training, Prepared Monadnock partnered with the town of Alstead to help promote a community-wide CPR training to help Alstead achieve the Heart Safe Community designation. This National designation recognizes municipalities that have taken proactive, structured steps to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by training citizens in CPR and installing public-access Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). At the time of the event, Alstead was only 100 CPR-trained community members away from earning the designation. Behind the scenes, Prepared Monadnock was focused on system upgrades and data collection. They attended the

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2025 Annual Report

NH Responds training session to adapt to the state's modern administrative platforms and are leveraging this system to update and audit their Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) membership roster, to ensure that their network of disaster-ready volunteers is well-structured and ready for deployment. Additionally, Prepared Monadnock has launched a research initiative aimed at developing their upcoming Personal Prep Assessment tool. They designed and distributed a survey to emergency preparedness experts and Healthy Monadnock Alliance members to identify the top five priorities for personal safety during crises. To turn these responses into a practical public tool, they plan to collaborate with a technical advisor to refine the assessment questions and logic into a user-friendly format.

Looking Forward As they look ahead to the upcoming year, establishing a strong Healthy Monadnock Alliance Volunteer Corps is a top priority. While the workgroup primarily focuses on individual preparedness—equipping community members with the essential skills and knowledge to respond effectively to emergencies—they also recognize the importance of a highly trained, readily deployable volunteer corps to assist in the aftermath of disasters. Prepared Monadnock hopes to raise awareness that emergency responders may take up to three days to reach individuals after a natural disaster. This information is intended to empower both individuals who may mistakenly believe they can fully rely on first responders during emergencies and those who wish to step up and help after a crisis.

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r ntee S volu CORP

As a workgroup, we are particularly focused on fostering a culture of preparedness in our community. This involves not only equipping ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies but also strengthening the bonds among community members. We believe that a well-prepared community is a resilient one, capable of supporting each other during times of crisis. Sara Fisher

Workgroup Chair and Senior Population Health Coordinator The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center

Prepared Monadnock Chair, Members, and Member Organizations Sara Fisher (Chair) Cheshire Medical Center

Tammy Dwyer Cheshire Medical Center

Eileen Fernandes Community Member

Ed Walker Town of Peterborough

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Monadnock Food Access Alliance

Food Access Priority Area

Monadnock Food Access Alliance Year in Review: Highlights and Growth This past year, the Monadnock Food Access Alliance (MFAA) adopted a new work plan focused specifically on increasing enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and addressing the needs of individuals at high risk of food insecurity. To accomplish this, they collaborated with the statewide Nutrition Access Research Network to design a community-based project to understand the experiences of people eligible for federal nutrition programs and to identify the barriers they encounter in accessing these resources. Three community members from the Monadnock region joined five others from across the state to design the project, obtain their Institutional Review Board (IRB) certification, and

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

conduct surveys. They plan to complete 40 surveys with community members throughout the summer. MFAA spent time reviewing the status of SNAP, analyzing statewide policy outcomes, the impact of new SNAP restrictions, and the upcoming Farm Bill. They shared 12 call-to-action posts with their listserv of 334 supporters and published 24 posts on social media. The workgroup also participated in an Objective and Key Results (OKR) training to set the focus of their work for the next two years. The workgroup also widely distributed updated food access resources, including a new brochure that highlights MFAA initiatives, member programs, workshops, events, and calls to action on food access policy, to its list of 334 supporters.

Objective and Key Results Increase the Health and Well-being of Monadnock Residents Experiencing Food Insecurity by Improving Access to Food. The Monadnock Food Access Alliance partnered with the Monadnock Grown Coalition Mobile Fund and The Community Kitchen to contribute $20,000 toward purchasing local food for distribution at Mobile Food Pantry events during the summer and fall of 2026. These events will take place in four towns experiencing high rates of hunger: Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Richmond, and Winchester. To date, the Mobile Fund has contributed $92,000 since the program's launch in 2022.

In early June, MFAA partnered with the Keene Housing Kids Collaborative to host a garden education event titled "Dig In! Kids Grow Food" for the afterschool program at the Keene Recreation Center. Fifty-five children participated by planting seeds, taking home plant starts, and enjoying snacks made from the vegetables that were provided as seeds or plants. Their parents had the opportunity to enter a free raffle for two community garden plots, a backyard composter, and cookbooks. Volunteers were also on hand to demonstrate how to cook these vegetables, distribute seeds and recipes, and provide information on farm share programs, Mobile Food Pantry events, and SNAP enrollment.

Additionally, MFAA identified a New Hampshire Health Care fund that, if awarded, could help secure a warehouse for storing charitable food donated by the New Hampshire Food Bank. This warehouse would serve as a storage facility for The Community Kitchen's Mobile Food Pantry, enabling yearround food distribution to Monadnock communities. The workgroup also organized a SNAP and Food Nutrition Program (FNP) outreach at two community events attended by individuals experiencing high rates of hunger. Twelve social service and health workers shared their clients' experiences, allowing applicants to learn about the additional benefits of enrolling in SNAP, such as receiving double-up veggies and fruits at participating farmers markets, and automatic enrollment in reduced-price school meal programs. Interested applicants were provided with online application links and information on phone assistance.

healthymonadnockalliance.org

MONADNO

Looking Forward

Food Access

Proudly advancing Food

In the coming year, MFAA plans to host at least three additional in-person events at food pantries, senior centers, and community gatherings. These events aim to answer questions and help destigmatize SNAP enrollment. The workgroup also intends to expand their "SNAP Team" by adding more workgroup members who can engage one-on-one with highrisk individuals, including seniors, people with disabilities, and youth, in the places where they live, receive services, and work.

More People A re Eligible For SNAP Benefits Than Ever Befo re Be yond grocerie s,

auto-enrollment in free or reduce d school lunch

Monadnock Food Access Alliance

Alliance

Access in the Mona dnock region

use SNAP to en joy:

double up fruit & veggie purchases

d up I doubles with ie my vegg

SNAP

Scan the QR co de to explore ava ilable benefits and community https://mfcomm programs, or visit: unitycoalition.or g/snap

reduced fees at New England venues & so much more!

Co-Chairs, Members, and Member Organizations Roe-Ann Tasoulas (Co-Chair) Monadnock Grown Coalition Alicia Deaver Rise for Baby and Family Jocelyn Goldblatt Cheshire Children’s Museum Heather Goodwin Goodwin Family Farm Lea Kablik Cheshire Medical Center Kate Leversee The Community Kitchen

Despite a decrease in SNAP participation on the regional level, this year the Monadnock Food Access Alliance worked even harder to make Susan Meehan SNAP enrollment easier to access and its benefits End 68 Hours of Hunger Allen Markland clearer. We responded by creating a network of Southwestern Community Services touchpoints, with user-friendly resources and Christine Parshall Rise for Baby and Family trained volunteers available to meet one-to-one Courtney Vicaire with community members experiencing hunger Cheshire Medical Center where they live; each effort helping to further Barb Weisman The Community Kitchen destigmatize the use of nutrition programs. Sarah Harpster (Co-Chair) NH Hunger Solutions

Roe-Ann Tasoulas

Workgroup Co-Chair and Director Monadnock Grown Coalition 23

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Monadnock Healthcare Advocates

Healthcare Access Priority Area

Monadnock Healthcare Advocates Year in Review: Highlights and Growth In the past year, Monadnock Healthcare Advocates (MHA) has focused their energy on promoting the state-run New Hampshire Healthy Lives (NHHL), which offers free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to individuals aged 21–64 who are uninsured or underinsured and whose incomes are at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. Because of low participation rates, MHA decided to streamline one of the main barriers to accessing the program: a non-digital interest form. By creating an easy-to-use digital interest form, interested individuals can now inquire about program eligibility quickly and confidentially.

This new process significantly reduces the amount of preliminary paperwork required from both individuals and healthcare practitioners, making it easier to access the screening program. Through a partnership with Cheshire Medical Center in Keene and Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, patients can also choose their preferred screening location through the new online form. This straightforward yet impactful change has led to an increase in interest form submissions over the past few months, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new process and the program's importance to underserved communities in our region.

healthymonadnockalliance.org

Objective and Key Results

Looking Forward

Advance Equitable Access to Healthcare Coverage in the Monadnock Region.

As Monadnock Healthcare Advocates begins their next twoyear Objective and Key Results cycle, they look forward to strengthening regional partnerships that will continue to raise awareness about the importance of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings. While the workgroup will shift their focus to addressing other barriers to accessing healthcare, they remain committed to supporting and sustaining their initial efforts.

After addressing one barrier to accessing the New Hampshire Healthy Lives (NHHL), the workgroup shifted its focus to promotion. They developed an informative postcard to distribute to High-Impact Towns throughout the region, with a direct link to the online form. During the postcard development, Monadnock Healthcare Advocates (MHA) secured a $5,000 state grant to promote the NHHL, enabling them to double their original distribution plan and include three additional towns in the area. From previous surveys, MHA found that a lack of transportation and high gas prices were significant obstacles to accessing care in most communities across the region, especially in more rural areas. In response, they implemented a gas card initiative, providing patients who need assistance with travel expenses a $25 gas card at their initial appointment at both Cheshire Medical Center and Monadnock Community Hospital. Collaboration has been essential to the workgroup's success. Through a partnership with the NH Family Resource Center (FRC), MHA designed outreach materials promoting NH Easy— a platform for enrolling in SNAP and health insurance—and highlighting the FRC as a valuable resource for assistance. Their ongoing partnership with the food access workgroup has also led to cross-promotion of services, helping both workgroups reach more individuals in need of food security and health resources.

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Advancing healthcare access can feel daunting at times, but not when surrounded by such passionate community partners. Through our work with Monadnock Healthcare Advocates, we are helping our neighbors achieve personal well-being, one small step at a time. I am continually impressed by our workgroup’s commitment to supporting our most vulnerable populations. There is so much we can learn from each other, and it is clear that our community is best served when we work together. Julie Quinn

Workgroup Member and Manager Population Health and Practice Quality Monadnock Community Hospital

Monadnock Healthcare Advocates Chair, Members, and Member Organizations Tammy Dwyer (Chair) Cheshire Medical Center Erika Alusic-Bingham Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties Sara Fisher Cheshire Medical Center Allan Gillis Community Volunteer Transportation Company

Maggie Graul Cheshire Medical Center Meloney Hayward Cheshire Medical Center Lisa McInnis Monadnock Community Hospital

Molly Rajaniemi Monadnock Community Hospital Julie Quinn Monadnock Community Hospital Penny Vaine Rise for Baby and Family

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Be The Change

Protective and Risk Factors Priority Area

Be The Change - Prevention Taskforce Year in Review: Highlights and Growth Throughout the year, Be The Change (BTC) has made significant strides in enhancing protective factors for youth and advancing efforts in substance use prevention. A key highlight was the Signs of Suicide (SOS) training, which successfully reached 131 community members. Additionally, the Teen Mental Health First Aid program trained 16 young individuals, and the Monadnock Youth Coalition engaged over 200 students during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, providing SOS training to 21 educators. This year also featured innovative engagement through discussions around the graphic novel In the Air, which

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

helped students better understand the risk factors associated with nicotine use and peer pressure. BTC distributed approximately 200 overdose-response kits during Narcan training sessions, and their participation in the Beyond School Hours Conference further enhanced their prevention knowledge and fostered valuable connections. Additionally, BTC helped administer the Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey in regional middle schools. The TAP Survey is a confidential, community-based research and education initiative designed to gauge adolescent behaviors, concerns, and developmental assets. Conducted across the

United States every four years, it assists parents, schools, and local leaders in creating youth programs tailored to their specific regions by collecting local data. For this TAP cycle, BTC collaborated with six regional schools, and a total of 546 students in 7th and 8th grade completed the survey. Be The Change also underwent major structural changes and coalition mergers. These developments may have led to declines in attendance and engagement. Addressing these challenges has become a key focus for the workgroup as they reflect on the past two years and evaluate strategies for improving their processes moving forward.

Objective and Key Results Reduce the Risk of Substance Use Among Middle School Youth. Be The Change (BTC) has spent the past year actively developing its "Be The One" campaign, designed to foster connections between youth and trusted adults in their lives. The initiative includes a blend of One Trusted Adult workshops, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, and community discussions inspired by Marc Brackett's book Permission to Feel. Through these efforts, Be The One seeks to cultivate a network of supportive adults, helping to reduce the risks associated with substance use among middle school youth. Additionally, BTC successfully piloted the PreVenture program at Vilas Middle School in Alstead, in collaboration with the Keene Serenity Center. During this period, they

conducted a second series of four workshops, bringing the total to four completed cohorts at Vilas Middle School. As a result, all 8th-grade students at the school participated in and completed the PreVenture workshops. Additionally, six regional partners fulfilled their continuing education requirements to renew their annual licenses to facilitate PreVenture. Be The Change also maintained their administrative license by completing the necessary requirements to continue overseeing PreVenture implementation in the Monadnock region. In total, seven licenses were successfully renewed for the upcoming cycle.

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Looking Forward As the workgroup looks ahead, they are committed to improving their outreach and recruitment strategies to engage more adults and community members in prevention efforts. Upcoming initiatives, such as a Mental Health Fair and youth-focused environmental service projects, will offer additional opportunities to connect families with valuable resources. Be The Change is ready to adopt new ideas and best practices gained from trainings and conferences to energize their approach and achieve a greater impact in the coming year.

Be The Change

Marissa Mannion-King

Chair, Members, and Member Organizations Marissa Mannion-King (Chair) Cheshire Medical Center Erika Alusic-Bingham Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties Alyssa Bender-Jesse City of Keene - Youth Services Lauren Bressett Community Member Tricia Brennen Youth Well NH Kara Brown Keene Serenity Center

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

It is important to build on the momentum our workgroup has gained this year to encourage greater involvement from schools, families, and the wider community. Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that Monadnock youth have access to essential prevention programs and can establish strong, healthy relationships with their peers and adults they can trust. Workgroup Chair and Senior Population Health Coordinator The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center

Odette Butler Pamela Murphy The River Center ConVal School District Randy Herk Harry Wolhandler Reality Check Community Member Samantha Hill CJ Vinas Monadnock Youth Services City of Keene - Youth Services John Letendre Cheshire Medical Center Sally Malay Keene Housing Kids Collaborative

Healthy Monadnock Alliance; In The Community As an Alliance, our connection with our community is at the heart of everything we do. This past year, HMA reinforced these relationships by prioritizing listening, collaborating, and growing alongside our neighbors. We're proud to support initiatives led by our workgroups, and we will continue to strengthen these community offerings and explore new opportunities for regional impact as we move into the next year.

Monadnock Food Access Alliance Members, Master Gardeners, and community volunteers at the 2026 Dig In! Kids Grow Food event.

Tricia Zahn from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center supporting HMA at a pop-up Hands-Only CPR event held at Cheshire Medical Center.

John Letendre, Kerry Kelley, and Kaitlyn Gonzales from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center supporting HMA at the Keene State College Wellness Fair.

Kate McAvoy, a Keene State student, and Maggie Graul, from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center, presenting on food insecurity in the region.

Members of Monadnock Outdoors participating in a birding walk on a property in Walpole.

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Our Members

Thank you to our many dedicated Member Organizations

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Alstead Primary School American Red Cross Antioch University New England Ashuelot Head Start Bike Walk Alliance NH Boynton Middle School Cedarcrest Cheshire County Cheshire County - Department of Corrections Cheshire County - Emergency Management Services Cheshire County - Maplewood Nursing Home Cheshire County - Montesorri Schoolhouse Cheshire County - Recovery Court Cheshire County Conservation District Cheshire Medical Center Chesterfield Central School City of Keene City of Keene - Bike Path Committee City of Keene - Youth Services Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties Community Volunteer Transportation Company Connected Families NH Distant Hill Gardens Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc. End 68 Hours of Hunger Fall Mountain Regional School District Family Life Advocates Fitzwilliam Nurses Association Gathering Waters School Gilsum STEAM Academy

Healthy Monadnock Alliance

2026 Annual Report

Goodwin Family Farm Grapevine Learning Center Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services Impact Monadnock Jonathan Daniels Preschool Keene Community Garden Keene Family YMCA Keene Head Start Keene Housing Keene Housing Kids Collaborative Keene Public Library Keene Serenity Center Keene State College MacDowell Mascenic Regional High School Monadnock Arts Alive Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention Monadnock Community Hospital Monadnock Family Services Monadnock Grown Coalition Monadnock Interfaith Project Monadnock Ledger-Transcript Monadnock Middle/High School Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative Monadnock Youth Coalition Monadnock Youth Services Monadnock United Way Mt. Caesar Elementary School New Futures NH Hunger Solutions

NH Meals on Wheels Paragon Digital Marketing Reality Check Restorative Justice Rise for Baby and Family Sara Porter School Savings Bank of Walpole Southwest Region Planning Commission Southwestern Community Services Surry Conservation Commission Swanzey Head Start The Community Kitchen The Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center The Inn at East Hill Farm The Learning Vine Preschool The River Center Town of Peterborough Troy Elementary UNH Cooperative Extension UNH Nutrition Connections Vilas Middle School W.S. Badger Company, Inc. Youth Well NH

If your organization was omitted, please contact us.

In Closing In the fall of 2023, we made a bold commitment to establish Objectives and Key Results for each priority area of our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). We understood during the planning process that this would not be easy. By choosing to concentrate our energy, resources, and expertise on measurable areas, many of us, myself included, felt we could unintentionally neglect other important impacts. Over the past two years, we have learned invaluable lessons about the importance of keeping our core goals at the forefront of our efforts, despite the dynamic landscape around us. It has been inspiring to witness the resilience and commitment of our six workgroups who have rallied around this shared vision.

It is often said that we are greater together than the sum of our parts, and our experiences this past year reaffirm this belief. The Healthy Monadnock Alliance (HMA) embodies this principle, acting as a force multiplier that fosters and strengthens community collaboration. The impact we create together not only amplifies our individual efforts but also transcends them, leading to a collective impact that is greater than we could have achieved alone. I would like to express my gratitude to all our workgroups and community partners who have been vital to this effort. I also want to thank the HMA Leadership Team and Advisory Council for their dedication and support throughout this impactful year. As we look toward the future, I feel optimistic about the positive changes HMA will continue to bring to our community. Together, we have the power to shape a healthier tomorrow for the Monadnock region, and I look forward to harnessing our collective strengths in the journey ahead.

Tricia Zahn Tricia Zahn, MPH

Senior Director, The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center Principal Supporter of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance

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