OUR STORIES
Cabarrus Health Alliance and Healthy Cabarrus
By Cindy Stone and Avalin Inman
Strengthening Community Health and
Collaboration in Cabarrus County
Keeping up with the rapidly growing population is challenging, but it hasn’t stopped Cabarrus County from thriving through it all. This is one of the many reasons it’s such a great place to live. Thanks to the dedication of our nonprofit and government agencies, the evolving needs of our community are being addressed to ensure the health and well-being of everyone living here.
Among the dedicated agencies in our county are the Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) and its collaborative arm, Healthy Cabarrus. Together, they work tirelessly to provide high-quality, community-centered healthcare and essential services, creating a healthier, more inclusive environment for all. From preventive health programs to strategic partnerships, these organizations prioritize the well-being of residents and ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping the county’s health priorities.
Established as separate legal entities in 1997, both CHA and Healthy Cabarrus have made a significant impact on our community’s health and wellness landscape. CHA was created by the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners as an independent unit of local government that can provide essential healthcare, wellness services, vital records, communicable disease surveillance and treatment, and environmental health. Healthy Cabarrus, meanwhile, was formed as a program focused on building and maintaining partnerships, with the goal of fostering collaboration to address the county’s health needs holistically.
A Unique Approach to Community Health
What sets CHA and Healthy Cabarrus apart is their unique focus on community-driven health initiatives through collaborative action. Both have built a strong reputation for collaboration, innovation, and outreach—qualities that have positioned them as leaders in the field of public health in North Carolina.
Dr. Jessica Grant, Executive Director of Healthy Cabarrus, has lived in Cabarrus County for over 20 years and spent two decades working with Kannapolis City Schools before joining the Cabarrus Health Alliance. For her, the organization’s value lies in its commitment to inclusion and community engagement. “It’s the collaboration, innovation, services, and outreach that make Healthy Cabarrus unique,” she says. The organization’s mission is not only to provide essential health services but also to bring together the diverse voices of Cabarrus County. Healthy Cabarrus’s community advisory council meets regularly, inviting input from residents of all backgrounds, which Dr. Grant believes is key to building trust and ensuring that local health initiatives truly reflect community needs.
Sandra Torres, Cabarrus Health Alliance’s Latino Engagement and Relations Coordinator, works closely with Healthy Cabarrus and highlights the importance of collaboration in their work. “It brings together 40 to 50 organizations at the table—including local government, nonprofits, and the faith community,” she says. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Healthy Cabarrus can address health needs from multiple perspectives and ensure that resources are distributed where they are most needed.
Mark Spitzer, President of Castle & Cooke North Carolina, and Mission Support Executive with the North Carolina Research Campus, emphasizes the unique value of partnerships within Cabarrus County. “The strength of our community health system lies in our commitment to collaboration across sectors. It’s inspiring to see local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders working together to prioritize health and inclusivity. This collaboration is essential to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population.”
Community Health Assessment: A Model for Collaboration
One of the most impactful initiatives led by Healthy Cabarrus is the Community Health Needs Assessment, a state-mandated process that every North Carolina county’s health department undertakes every three years. This in-depth assessment helps identify the key health and social issues that the county should focus on over the next three years. The assessment’s findings are not only used to guide local health initiatives but also shared with local government entities and submitted to the state.
The Cabarrus County Community Health Needs Assessment has been recognized as a best practice for “authentic community engagement,” and its model is regarded as a “golden standard” across the state. As outlined in the 2024 North Carolina Community Assessment Handbook, the assessment incorporates voices from all parts of the community, ensuring that the final report reflects the priorities and concerns of residents across Cabarrus County.
The assessment process begins with the selection of a community planning council, a diverse group of representatives from social services, local government, nonprofits, the faith community, community members, and education. This council meets monthly and reviews data on various issues affecting the county, including economic conditions, health outcomes, educational opportunities, housing availability, transportation, and public safety. In addition to analyzing data from state, federal, and local sources, the council also collects feedback from the public through a countywide survey and focus groups.
To ensure that the survey reaches as many residents as possible, Healthy Cabarrus takes an intentional approach to inclusivity. The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and the organization makes every effort to match the demographics of the county with focus group participation. Focus groups are held in trusted community spaces where people feel comfortable. For specific communities, like the South Asian and Latinx populations, CHA and Healthy Cabarrus rely on community leaders to help engage residents and encourage them to participate in the assessment process.
Sandra Torres’s work with the Latino community exemplifies the importance of these relationships. As a president of El Puente Hispano, a nonprofit that supports the local Latino population, Sandra leverages her connections to engage residents and ensure that their voices are heard in the health assessment. “It’s the power of relationships,” Sandra notes, explaining how trust is built through consistent, respectful engagement with community leaders and residents.
Steve Morris, a CHA board member for 11-years, underscores the importance of the assessment in aligning health priorities with real community needs. “The Community Health Needs Assessment helps ensure that the voice of every resident is heard. It is not just a report—it’s a guiding document that shapes how we serve our community. The collaboration fostered by Healthy Cabarrus and CHA makes sure that healthcare services in Cabarrus County are designed for everyone.”
Data-Driven and Community-Centered Decision Making
Once all data is collected through surveys, focus groups, and other sources, the community planning council votes on the top issues that the county should prioritize over the next three years. This data-driven approach helps ensure that health initiatives in Cabarrus County are based on the most current information and accurately reflect the community’s priorities.
The selected focus areas are tracked throughout the assessment cycle, with interim updates and follow-up activities to keep the county on track in addressing its health needs. This ongoing process of data collection, review, and evaluation is a key component of the community health assessment and helps ensure that Cabarrus County’s health initiatives remain relevant and effective.
For Dr. Grant, the intentionality behind every step of the assessment process is what makes it so successful. “There is intention in everything we and Cabarrus Health Alliance do,” she says, “it’s about surveying who’s there but also who’s missing at the table.” This commitment to inclusivity is not only a core value of CHA and Healthy Cabarrus but also a vital part of their strategy for improving health outcomes across the county.
Meeting Health Needs Across Cabarrus County
In addition to the community health assessment, CHA offers a wide range of health services to address the diverse needs of Cabarrus County’s residents. From primary care, dental, and behavioral health treatment to family nutrition programs, school nursing, environmental health, and harm reduction, CHA’s programs are designed to support health and wellness across all age groups and backgrounds.
One of the organization’s standout services is its community outreach and health education programs, which aim to raise awareness about important health issues and empower residents to take control of their own health. By offering resources and information in multiple languages and conducting outreach in trusted community spaces, CHA ensures that these programs are accessible to everyone, regardless of language or cultural background.
Preparing for a Growing Community
As Cabarrus County’s population continues to grow, both CHA and Healthy Cabarrus face new challenges and opportunities. The county’s rapid growth is exciting, but it also requires careful planning to ensure that health services and community resources keep pace with the increasing demand.
Dr. Jessica Grant and Sandra Torres are both optimistic about the future of Cabarrus County but acknowledge the need for additional resources to support the county’s expanding population. They are particularly excited about the role of organizations like the Greater Cabarrus Foundation in helping build the capacity of local nonprofits and providing funding for targeted community initiatives. “Supporting identified needs is beneficial to Healthy Cabarrus,” Dr. Grant says, highlighting the foundation’s role in strengthening the local safety net.
Looking ahead, both Dr. Grant and Sandra hope to see continued collaboration among local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders. They believe that by working together, Cabarrus County can build a health system that meets the needs of all residents and continues to improve as the community grows. “Growth and increased diversity are exciting and desired,” Dr. Grant reflects, “but will agencies and support systems be able to keep up with the growth?”
The Heart of Cabarrus County’s Health and Wellness
For CHA and Healthy Cabarrus, the work is not only about providing health services but also about creating a community where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported. Dr. Grant sees Cabarrus County as a rare example of a place where collaboration is woven into the fabric of daily life, making it easier for agencies like CHA to do their work. “The collaborative nature of this county and its communities is rare,” she says. “It makes the work we and other ‘helping’ agencies do easier when everyone is on board.”
Sandra Torres shares a similar sentiment. For her, Cabarrus County’s faith-based roots and strong sense of community make it a unique place to live and work. Despite the county’s rapid growth, she appreciates the small-town feel that comes from knowing her neighbors and seeing familiar faces. “Although the county is growing, I am proud of the sense of small-town community here,” she says. “Everybody loves being here.”
As Cabarrus County continues to grow, the work of CHA and Healthy Cabarrus will remain vital. In a time when public health systems across the nation are facing unprecedented challenges, Cabarrus County can take pride in the model of whole, person-centered healthcare and support services championed by CHA and Healthy Cabarrus. Their work is a testament to what can be achieved when an entire community comes together to prioritize every resident in a community.
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