“Get Engaged.” That’s the message that SLHI’s Suzanne Pfister delivered in her brief remarks at Arizona Forward’s Building Healthier Communities for Healthier Lives Stewardship Summit Program on June 12. Here’s a brief recap of Suzanne’s promised links to get you connected to what’s going on around the state:

• The Arizona State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) – Watch the recorded launch of Arizona’s State Health Improvement Plan, which builds off of The Arizona Department of Health Services’ State Health Assessment work. Click here to access the web page, scroll down and “Download Presentation” before you click to “Watch Recorded Broadcast.” Most importantly, be sure to click the “Vote” button to help the committee determine what criteria will guide the work.
• The Maricopa County Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) – Maricopa County has been engaged in building out its own county-focused health improvement plan, creating the Health Improvement Partnership of Maricopa County. Learn more and get involved.
• Municipal General Plans – Arizona cities are in the process of meeting a state deadline for refreshed general plans. Some are approved by their voters, with implementation underway. Others are at various stages of development. All of them require active residents to engage in the process in order to make the right changes into a reality. Visit your city’s website or google [city name] general plan to explore what’s happening where you live.
• Complete Streets – Phoenix is going through the process of passing Ordinances to drive development and re-development of streets that are accessible and welcoming to users of all ages, modes and abilities. June and early July will be critical times to show support and provide public comment. Watch a video and learn more here.
• Arizona’s General Election Primaries – Voter turnout in Arizona’s recent general elections has been sparse. Elected leaders drive the state’s agenda and are intended to fairly represent Arizona’s people, yet reports like The Arizona We Want continue to reveal that people don’t feel that they do. The only way to change that is to VOTE! Click here for 2014 election information courtesy of The Arizona We Want Institute and ensure that you’re ready to participate in the Primary Election. The deadline to register is July 28, 2014 at midnight.