JAY — Franklin Community Health Network will host a Community Health Needs Assessment from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Spruce Mountain Middle School.

The forum will focus on poverty, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, rising cardiovascular diseases and gaps in mental health services. All residents are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Maine’s largest health care providers and the state has released its report card on how Maine and its counties are progressing on a host of factors that contribute to overall public health.

Nancy Birkhimer, director of Public Health Performance Improvement at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will present key findings of the data that will provide a snapshot designed to be a conversation starter.

Then, members of the public and other attendees representing health care organizations, social service agencies, businesses and schools, will break into facilitated smaller groups to contribute ideas, perspectives and set priorities to make public health improvements.

To preview the data prior to the forum, visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/SHNAPP/county-reports.shtml.

Nationally renowned keynote speaker Dr. Donna Beegle, who speaks, writes and trains across the nation to break the iron cage of poverty, will kick off the event. She is the author of “See Poverty, Be the Difference,” and “An Action Approach to Educating Students Who Live in the Crisis of Poverty.”

Beegle’s work has been featured in newspapers throughout the U.S., on local TV and on national programs such as PBS. For 25 years, she has worked with educators, justice professionals, health care providers, social service agencies and other organizations who want to make a difference for those living in the crisis of poverty.

In the case of inclement weather, the forum will be held March 24.

Child care and limited transportation will be provided. Anyone needing transportation or child care may contact Jennifer Stone at 207-897-5719, ext. 400, or may request online at www.bit.ly/spruceforum.

To register, contact Tracy Harty, Healthy Communities Coalition senior program director, at 207-779-2830, register online at www.conta.cc/20mswbx, or email [email protected].