Collaborating for Community Health: The Quad City Health Initiative
July 24, 2019 – The Quad City Health Initiative was formed in 1999 and is celebrating 20 years of cross-community partnerships to create a healthy community. Nicole Carkner, QCHI Executive Director, spoke about engaging a variety of sectors across organizational and geographic boundaries to improve community health. There are 13 health opportunity areas, such as disease, oral health, tobacco use, and injury/violence. Priorities include nutrition, physical activity and weight, mental health, and access to healthcare.
Weather and Climate Resilience – Are We Ready?
June 26, 2019 – Ray Wolf, Science and Operations Officer with the National Weather Service (NWS), under the parent agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provided an overview on weather and climate resilience. With a mission of a “Weather-Ready Nation,” the NWS provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property, and for the enhancement of the national economy. Hazards planning and preparedness is core to this mission.
Quad City International Airport Update
May 22, 2019 – Ben Leischner, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County, provided an overview of the Quad City International Airport. The Authority employs 55 workers, and another 30 are employed with the service arm of the organization for ground services support. The authority’s 8 commissioners oversee $250 million in assets and facilities.
Census 2020 and Complete Count Committees
April 24, 2019 – Rachel Bruce, Bi-State Regional Commission Planner, reported that Census Day is April 1, 2020, but outreach efforts began as early as 2018 with the coordination of programs like the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) and Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). These programs gave local jurisdictions the opportunity to review and propose modifications to boundaries for census tracts, block groups, and census designated places (CDPs) to ensure that the Census Bureau accurately represents the geography of the region. This summer, the Census Bureau will begin address canvassing to verify structures and addresses for the questionnaire mailing. Canvassing is expected to last until August, and the Census Bureau has already begun hiring workers for canvassing activities and in preparation for Census Day.