Dr. Bontá Stepping Down As President And CEO

The California Wellness Foundation today announced that Dr. Diana M. Bontá has stepped down as president and CEO, effective June 14, 2013.

“We have appreciated Diana’s time with us as we have gained important insights and strategies for the promotion of health and wellness among Californians,” said Dr. Barbara C. Staggers, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “We wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Dr. Bontá indicated: “The launching of the strategic planning process and TCWF’s enhanced response to public policy, the health needs of women veterans and the training needs of our health workforce have advanced health equity in California. It has been a privilege to support the work of communities and TCWF.”

The Foundation’s Board of Directors will soon announce the appointment of an interim president and CEO. More.

Community-Based Environmental Health Monitoring

Imperial County-based Comité Civico Del Valle has received a $300,000 grant from The California Wellness Foundation for a program to replicate the Imperial Visions Action Network (IVAN) model – an online monitoring system that connects the community with people who can help solve environmental health problems. Any community member who witnesses an environmental health concern can report it through IVAN via text, e-mail, a mobile app or website interface. Anonymous reports are allowed. A designated problem solver follows up to ensure that the reported incident is routed to the appropriate government agency for investigation. The IVAN database is public and also features a mapping tool that enables anyone — from policymakers and news media to the general public — to easily locate reported incidents.
 
Comité Civico Del Valle has now expanded the user-friendly monitoring system from its home site in Brawley to three additional communities in Kern, Riverside and Fresno counties, with plans to further expand to Wilmington in Los Angeles County, adjacent to busy commercial seaports. Community environmental health concerns reported through the online tracking system have resulted in structural improvements, fines against responsible parties, improved efficiency for businesses and better community environments.
 
“The IVAN model empowers communities to participate in environmental problem solving while giving them the tools to be their own best advocates,” said Luis Olmedo, executive director of Comité Civico del Valle. ”Businesses benefit too — for example, businesses learn about [Environmental Protection Agency] grant programs that can help them cost-effectively improve environmental health and their company’s image within their communities.” More.