OUR BASIC NEEDS ARE MET
Essential resources—like housing, food, and healthcare—are available, affordable, and easy to access so everyone can live with stability and dignity.
Partner Strategies
The strategies listed below represent specific actions being taken by organizations, agencies, and groups in the Jackson County community to root out barriers that are holding inequitable outcomes in place. Click here to view the full action plan.
Shared Measurement Connections
The Shared Measurement System sets a common direction for change in Jackson County. It helps guide strategies and keeps efforts aligned. Partner strategies are organized by key aims and connected to the goals and root causes they support. You’ll see those connections outlined below.
Strategy or outcomes are aligned with Rx Kids strategic goals and priorities
DJ
Strategy or outcomes are aligned with Drive Jackson strategic goals and priorities
Increase availability of healthy affordable foods.
Issue/Need:
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People report struggling to have access to healthy food and being able to afford groceries
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County Health Rankings data rated Jackson County 7.2 (out of 10) for healthiness of community environment
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Only 44% of residents positively rate affordability of food (National Community Survey)
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24% of kids receive SNAP (Kids Count 2023/2024)
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48% of children up to age 4 receive WIC benefits, 24% of kids receive SNAP benefits
Shared Measurement Connections
Goal: Reduce rates of food insecurity
Primary Root Cause
Existing services are not affordable to community members that need them
Secondary Root Cause
Community-based services are not sufficient to help residents meet their basic needs
Contact: Jacob Inosencio
DJ
Issue/Need:
Shared Measurement Connections
Goal:
Primary Root Cause
Secondary Root Cause
Organization:
Contact:
DJ
Issue/Need:
Shared Measurement Connections
Goal:
Primary Root Cause
Secondary Root Cause
Organization:
Contact:
DJ
Issue/Need:
Shared Measurement Connections
Goal:
Primary Root Cause
Secondary Root Cause
Organization:
Contact:
DJ
Wins & Accomplishments
Partner Wins & Accomplishments highlight results achieved by Network Partners that help remove barriers, improve equity in Jackson County, and advance Shared Measurement System goals. These results may be related to strategies that are part of the Collective Action Plan or reported on their own.
Partner Win​​​
Date: 3/13/2026
​​​Supporting and navigating resources for underserved communities.
Organization: Blue Cross Blue Shield
​Contact: Shavonne Shaw
Partner Win​​​
Date: 3/13/2026
Partnered with Grow Jackson and local community-based organizations (CBOs) to form the Jackson Food Council.
Organization: Aetna Better Health
​Contact: Ki-Jana Malone
Partner Win​​​
Date: 3/13/2026
Working with unhoused members of Jackson through visits to Jackson Interfaith Shelter twice a month. Assist with MI Bridges, resource access and overall engagement. Meeting people where they are.
Organization: McLaren Health Plan ​
​Contact: Jason Helman
Partner Win​​​
Date: 3/13/2026
Food insecurity systems: Food pantry, emergency food any day, community dinners monthly meal, van transport to Sunday meal/snack.
Organization: United Center for Caring ​
​Contact: Heather Faquhar
Partner Win​​​
Date: 3/13/2026
Seed swap in our new food hub space. Education + Access + Engagement.
​Contact: Jacob Inosencio
Partner Win​​​
Worked with the County and current farmers market to develop a farm stand in an area of town with high levels of poverty to increase availability of healthy affordable foods.
Impact/Results
Residents surveyed in and around the Farm Stand were very excited about this initiative and stated "this will help me feed my family so much."
​Contact: Jacob Inosencio