León, GJ launched the "León Oxigena" program to supply COVID-19 patients with medicinal oxygen

The Municipality of León launched the "León Oxigena" program to supply COVID-19 patients with medicinal oxygen for recovery and treatment at home. The medicinal oxygen is given exclusively to the most vulnerable families with valid medical prescriptions. The León Oxigena program supports up to 400 families per day with oxygen tanks containing 10,000 milliliters that will last them 3 to 4 days. Households can apply for an appointment online with new spots available every hour.

Penrith, NSW adapts The Village Cafe program for community relief during COVID-19

The Village Cafe is a monthly event in three suburbs that connects residents to their neighbors over coffee. This pop-up program allows participants to speak with council partners like Community Junction and LikeMind. Penrith converted the rotating cafes into outlets for relief during the pandemic with free flu shots and food aid. Council teams and partner organizations also evaluated local needs through conversations with cafe patrons.

Loimaa, FI establishes kiosk and library for residents with neuropsychological disorders

The municipality's Family Services office hosts the kiosk and library the first Monday of each month. A neuropsychological (NEPSY) coach provides counseling, guidance on helpful aides, and supplementary materials about disorders like ADHD and Asperger syndrome. Patrons can borrow sensory materials and accessories from the library for up to one month. These services lower barriers to assistance because they are available without referral or appointment.

Missoula, MT mobile crisis response initiative sends mental health professionals not police officers

The City of Missoula launched a mobile crisis response initiative which sends specialized units of mental health professionals instead of police officers on emergency mental health calls. The pilot is looking to address gaps in the process such as having a place to take a patient who needs a stable place to recuperate. Additionally, the mobile crisis response crew's shift ends at 8 p.m. which means there are no alternatives to police officers in the evenings.

Lansing, MI Police Department uses non-emergency social workers to handle non-criminal issues

The Lansing Police Department (LPD) launched a trial of using non-emergency responders for non-criminal issues and became the first police department in the state of Michigan to hire a social worker. The Ingham County Community Health Workers help handle problems in the community such as homelessness or drug addiction without criminalizing them.

Varde, DK develops portal for general practitioner referrals to municipal health services

The main page of the portal lists common health issues like anxiety, dementia, and smoking. Physicians click on diagnosed ailments to learn more about relevant services offered by the municipality. Each ailment page shows eligibility and referral requirements for health services. The portal houses demographic-specific checklists ranging from veterans to refugees. An Assistance section helps doctors book interpreters and borrow assistive devices from the council.

Dearborn, MI unleashes the community's creativity during COVID-19 with Mask Up contest on TikTok

City officials leveraged the popularity of TikTok for personal appeals to wear masks during COVID-19. Participants tagged the city's account with their videos and entered the contest through an online form. Dearborn residents could vote up to three times per day for as many as five of their favorite videos. Three winning entrants received $100 Amazon gift cards and recognition by the city.

Stockholm, SE tracks air quality on every street with the Luft Stockholm app

Luft Stockholm - or Air Stockholm - presents daily pollen and air pollutant levels on every city street. The app can compare air quality on two or more streets to assist with active travel planning. Additional tools like a health diary and an archive of past ratings connect air quality to how Stockholm residents feel from day to day. City staffers worked with the Asthma and Allergy Association, Swedish Museum of Natural History, and Umeå University on the app's design.

Kirklees Council, GB adds Wellness on Wheels program to campaign against health inequity

Kirklees Wellness Service identified areas with unequal access leading to high demands on the healthcare system. The Wellness on Wheels van heads into targeted neighborhoods for outreach events. Residents ask questions about health services like smoking cessation, weight loss, and mental health support. Wellness on Wheels develops important connections between the council and residents in need of care.

Amarillo, TX launched "Reset" a free wellness program available for residents of all ages

The City of Amarillo's Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Amarillo Public Health Department to launch "Reset" a wellness program available for residents of all ages. The program includes free fitness sessions, nutrition classes, play activities, personal trainers, etc. The fitness sessions are divided into age groups and the nutrition classes focus on cooking with garden produce. Residents can register at any time on the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

Marin County, CA Parks Department is offering $8,000 grants to community mental health programs

The Marin County Parks Department is collaborating with Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to promote mental health programs. The Breathe/Respira Community Grant Program is offering up to $8,000 to community organizations that bring mental health programs into county parks. Examples include the Empowerment Clubhouse mental health recovery group organizing trips to the park, Age-Friendly Sausalito hosting a senior fair, and subsidized tai chi classes for arthritis recovery.

London Borough of Redbridge, GB addresses root causes of domestic violence with VR training

Borough officials worked with Antser on VR training capsules for its eight-week Respect program. Participants with prior domestic abuse charges view the world through the eyes of a child who has witnessed violence in the home. The story explores the immediate impacts on the child's well-being along with long-term consequences. Media researchers at Goldsmiths University of London surveyed abusers about how they felt about their actions after VR training.