Center for Healthier Communities
Who We Are
In 1997, Northridge Hospital Medical Center established the Center for Healthier Communities (CHC) as a department of the hospital. Through high quality prevention education, innovative solutions, and treatment services, CHC strives to promote healthy behaviors and improve unmet needs for residents of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.
Mission Statement
CHC provides public health and wellness programs to changing needs of our community based on a triennial Community Health Needs Assessment report to enhance the San Fernando Valley’s potential to be healthier, safer, and stronger.
What We Do
To learn more about programs and services offered by the Center for Healthier Communities (CHC), please see current programs below or feel free to contact CHC Director Ron Sorensen at 818.718.5936 or ron.sorensen@commonspirit.org.
Local Elder Abuse Prevention Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team- Los Angeles
The Local Elder Abuse Prevention Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (LEAP-EMDT LA) is a program funded by the Office for Victims of Crime that is dedicated to ending elder abuse and supporting older adults who are victimized and vulnerable. This team brings together geriatric and social service professionals from different organizations, like Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Wise & Healthy Aging, 211LA, Alzheimer's Association Southland Chapter, ONEgeneration, Southern California Neuropsychology Group, Forensic Accountant, CATS (Center for Assault Treatment Services), LAPD, Bet Tzedek, Menorah Housing Foundation, and Saahas For Cause. The aim is to develop best practices, ensure the victim's safety, and train the public to identify and intervene before a senior is abused.
Any older adult 60 years and older, residents of Los Angeles County, and suspects of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation can be referred to LEAP-LA EMDT. The team reviews elder abuse cases, links older adults to a network of services, continually checks in to offer comprehensive benefits, and assesses for ongoing support. Monthly meetings are hosted on the 4th Tuesday of each month to review cases.
For more information on LEAP-LA EMDT, please contact Program Coordinator, Katherine Thomas at 818.718.5911 or katherine.thomas903@commonspirit.org.
San Fernando Valley Healing Project (MHAT)
MHAT is a four-year public health program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). The main objective of the program is to implement evidence-based curricula to improve the mental health outcomes for individuals with mental illness that are homeless or experience housing instability within Service Planning Area (SPA) 2 of Los Angeles County.
The program goals are to:
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Increase the capacity and ability of local homeless services providers, security offers, health and mental health professionals and support staff to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, safely respond to those with Adverse Mental Illness (AMI), Severe Mental Illness (SMI) or Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) in this high-risk population, and refer them to resources that promote mental health.
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Increase the ability of parents, families, caregivers, and community-based service providers to identify signs of potential AMI, SMIs and SEDs in this high-risk population and enhance awareness of and increasing referrals to available local resources.
We offer Mental Health First Aid (Youth or Adult) and Question, Persuade, Refer training to agencies in-person or virtually and offer the classes in either Spanish or English.
For more information or to schedule a training, please contact Program Coordinator, Marissa Duran at 818.718.5901 or marissa.duran@commonspirit.org.
Schools Against Violence Los Angeles
The BJA Preventing School Violence: Schools Against Violence Los Angeles Program (SAVe-LA) led by the Center for Healthier Communities (CHC), is a 3-year grant, funded through September 2026 by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This program aims to decrease school-based violence related to teen dating and bullying in LAUSD-Region North. In partnership with the Los Angeles School Police Department School Resource Officers (SROs) and Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health, the program aims to increase the capacity of schools personnel, community members, and students to prevent and address teen dating violence and bullying. Additionally, this program aims to increase the capacity and ability of community members, parents, and school law enforcement to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders in youth, safely respond to mental health crises, and refer out resources that promote mental health support. We will accomplish these goals through student education, school personnel training, school community engagement, and professional and community engagement.
For more information on the SAVe-LA Program, please contact Program Coordinator, Dilian Guardado at 818.885.8500 ext. 23931 or dilian.guardado@commonspirit.org.
San Fernando Valley Resourceful Adolescent Program
San Fernando Valley RAP—A two-year program funded by the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). The purpose of this program is to work to reduce health disparities in mental health outcomes through early intervention efforts targeting youth that are at-risk of negative mental and/or behavioral health outcomes. We will work to reach 180 youth and their parents through health education classes using the Resourceful Adolescent Program (RAP) evidence-based curriculum and offer to connect families to community resources through health navigation support.
For more information on the curriculum utilized, please contact Program Coordinator, Jasmine Martinez at 818.718.5987 or jasmine.martinez904@commonspirit.org.
HeartBeat California (HeartBeat CA)
HeartBeat CA is a program funded by the California Department of Public Health that provides free health education to individuals that need support to manage cardiovascular health, hypertension and/or high blood cholesterol.
Health Education & Support Offered Include:
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Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program.
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Heart Health workshops.
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Monthly check-in calls with a health educator and/or pharmacist.
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Free incentives to help manage heart health and blood pressure.
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Social needs screenings and health navigation support.
For more information about program eligibility contact Program Coordinator, Teresa Morales at 818.885.8500 ext. 24721 or tere.morales@commonspirit.org.
Listos California
Listos California –An 18-month program funded by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES). The overarching goal of this program is to increase community emergency and disaster readiness and resilience in Los Angeles County, an area highly prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. The program initiative aims to assist 31,585 residents, focusing on immigrants, individuals with disabilities, and people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
Key components of the program include:
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Disaster Preparedness Student (DPS) Challenges in local schools.
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Youth & Parent Preparedness workshops.
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Hands-Only CPR Training for both youth and adults.
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STOP THE BLEED® trainings for adults.
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Disaster Readiness workshops.
These activities will be carried out in collaboration with six local community organizations, providing training and resources in multiple languages to ensure cultural relevance. Community events and forums will also be held to engage residents and gather feedback on emergency preparedness needs. Lastly, a culminating Emergency Management Professional Virtual Learning Forum will be held to share best practices to agencies looking to replicate our emergency preparedness efforts.
For more information on Listos California or to request training, please contact Program Coordinator, Marissa Duran at 818.718.5901 or marissa.duran@commonspirit.org.
Enhancing Youth Mental Health & Well-Being (Youth Mental Health)
Youth Mental Health is a three-year grant-funded by the Unihealth Foundation program that will help empower individuals to identify, respond, and support youth with mental health distress and signs of suicide. It will also provide social emotional learning education to help youth to practice healthy emotional regulation skills and improve resilience.
Mental Health Training and Youth Education Offered:
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Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for parents or adults working with youth.
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Question, Persuade, Refer Training for parents or adults working with youth.
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Positive Action youth workshops.
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Positive Action 5-Week youth program.
For more information or to schedule a training or youth programming contact Program Coordinator, Kimberly Pichinte at 818.718.5903 or kimberly.pichinte@commonspirit.org.
Enhancing Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON)
CHW SON is a two year program that is funded by Rising Communities that will help create a community-centered system of care and strengthen the foundational infrustructure needed to deliver coordinated, community-based services to individuals and communities that have social service needs and/or have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
CHW-SON provides community outreach, engagement and education on COVID-19 and social service resources, access to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as provide system navigation & referral services. This program serves residents of the following communities:
Community & School Health Initiative
Through the Community & School Health Initiative, we offer health education workshops at schools for the parent or school community. Topics can include: healthy eating, stress management, interpreting a nutrition label, overall wellness or how to talk to your teen about teen dating violence, etc. We require at minimum a 6-week advance notice to schedule a training that is part of our workshop menu or 10 weeks advance notice to create a new health education workshop. Minimum workshop participation is 7 participants.
For more information or to schedule a workshop or contact Program Manager Diane Velasquez at 818.718.5951 or diane.velasquez@commonspirit.org.