Michele Halyard
Health & Human Services Chair
Phoenix (AZ) Chapter
Links Connected to Promote Black Family Wellness
The goal of the Health and Human Services Facet is to promote healthier communities by advancing health education, strengthening advocacy, expanding access to resources, and addressing chronic health disparities in communities of color.
National Signature Programs
- Heart Links/Walk for Healthy Living
- Linkages to Life
National Initiatives
- National HIV/AIDS Initiative
- National Mental Health Initiative
- National Oral Health Initiative
- Black K.A.R.E (Kidney Awareness Resources and Education)
National Pilot Programs
- Health Equity Ambassador Program (American Cancer Society)
- L.A.M.B.S. (Links Aiding Moms to the Strong, in partnership with the March of Dimes)
National Supporting Programs
- Childhood Obesity Prevention
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
FACET HIGHLIGHTS
Accomplishments of the Western Area HHS Facet include::
- Created Western Area webinars on breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer screening, Alzheimer’s disease, muscle building, mental health. Articles were written on breast cancer, heart disease, walk for healthy living organ transplantation, HIV/AIDS and mental health.
- Multiple presentations to the 2024 Leadership Conference, meetings with chapter presidents, program chairs, and HHS facet chairs educating Links on the creation of umbrella/integrated programming focused on STEM, including HHS programming integrating STEM in a meaningful way
- Supported the implementation of “61 chapters, umbrella STEM” with focus on umbrella and integrated programming and assisting with development of Dr Me programming
- Creating of Alzheimer’s subcommittee focused on creation of Project Alert 2.0, a programmatic focus on Alzheimer’s disease in alignment with new National program area.
- Received grant funding for Black KARE for 13 chapters year 1 and 11 chapters year 2
- Achieved a nearly 20% increase in oral health programming delivered by Western Area chapters over the biennium.
- Achieved 100% participation of all chapters in Walk for Healthy Living and Black Family Wellness Expo in 2025 with education of the importance of integration of impact days into chapter programming
