History & Accomplishments
Overview
Since its inception, the Valley Council has initiated and supported numerous initiatives to improve life in the Valley through successful collaboration among member agencies and community partners. The joint contributions of member agencies—through dues payments and the donation of staff time and other organizational resources—have enabled the Council to spearhead key regional initiatives.
In the mid-1990s, the Council facilitated the Healthy Valley initiative, a grassroots effort to assess and improve the community's well-being.
In 2022 and 2023, the Valley Council embarked on a journey to become a Collective Impact partnership, aiming to strengthen its ability to support the community. Collective Impact is defined as a network of community members, organizations, and institutions that advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems-level change.
The Council's efforts are organized through various task forces and committees, each focusing on specific areas of community need. For instance, the Valley CARES (Community Assessment Research & Education for Solutions) Task Force is a collaborative initiative designed to assess and address community needs through research and education.
Through these initiatives and a commitment to collective impact, the Valley Council continues to fulfill its mission of enhancing the health and quality of life for the Valley community and its residents.
Now read more about our history on the timeline...
Healthy Valley launched. This major initiative aimed to improve the overall well-being of the Valley’s residents. It was a grassroots, collaborative public health and community development strategy.
Development of Community Response Teams. The Council played a role in establishing regional teams like the Labor Rapid Response Team and the Mental Health Crisis Team.
Launch of Valley CARES Quality of Life Report. A comprehensive report designed to identify and track key indicators affecting life in the Valley, leading to data-driven planning and resource allocation.
Leadership Transition and Backbone Shift. Nancy Hamson was appointed as Executive Director of the Valley Council. The Council also transitioned its backbone agency role from Valley United Way to Griffin Hospital, marking a new era of strategic leadership and healthcare partnership.
1993
2000
2011
2022
We Continue
In April 1993, the Valley United Way convened a meeting of nonprofit providers in the Valley at their facility in Ansonia, leading to the establishment of the Valley Council for Health & Human Services.
1994
Valley Designated an All-America City. In part due to the collaborative efforts spearheaded by the Council and its Healthy Valley 2000 initiative, the Valley received the prestigious All-America City award.
Early 2000s
Community Conversations on Education and Child Poverty
Council members hosted and facilitated conversations around local educational outcomes and the impact of poverty on families and children.
2015
Transition to Collective Impact Framework. The Council formally began adopting the Collective Impact model, aligning efforts across sectors to address systemic issues collaboratively.
2024