A 15-year alliance between Worcester and three neighboring towns that promoted public health is coming to an end.
The Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance (CMPHA) — a partnership between Worcester, West Boylston, Grafton and Shrewsbury — will discontinue on June 30, according to a press release from Worcester on Wednesday.
The health alliance has promoted social, economic and environmental factors that are fundamental to health, according to its website.
The decision to end the 15-year union was mutual, and the four municipalities will pursue different programming that is “best suited for their local public health needs,” the press release reads.
“As Worcester’s population has grown tremendously, our local public health priorities have also greatly shifted,” Dr. Matilde Castiel, Worcester’s commissioner of health and human services, said in the press release. “While we remain aligned on core public health principles with the CMRPHA towns, we mutually agreed that it would be most effective to focus on building independent capacity and pursue a path that will enable each region to address its own unique needs.”
Worcester will pursue a state funding opportunity aimed at strengthening additional public health services that are specific to its community, the press release reads. The press release did not say what that funding opportunity is.
The towns of Shrewsbury, Grafton, and West Boylston, meanwhile, will use a separate funding opportunity that allows them to develop local public health services.
“For the past 15 years, the Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance has delivered exceptional services to the residents of Shrewsbury,” said Kevin J. Mizikar, Shrewsbury town manager. “I want to sincerely thank all of our regional partners, especially the City of Worcester, for their steadfast leadership and collaboration. As local governments navigate increasingly complex public health challenges, we must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our communities. Shrewsbury looks forward to building upon this strong foundation and pursuing new opportunities to enhance public health services for our residents.”
