In today’s world, improving health is about much more than visiting the doctor’s office. The Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP) was founded on the belief that real progress happens when communities come together. TCHP works to address not only illness, but also the root causes of health disparities and the social drivers of health. Factors like housing, transportation, education, food security, and economic opportunity play a key role in health and quality of life. By working hand-in-hand with grassroots leaders, agencies, and state and federal partners, TCHP is building innovative, homegrown solutions that reflect the unique strengths and needs of our Thumb region. Focus areas of the partnership include Behavioral Health, Chronic Disease, and Social Drivers of Health.
At the heart of our work is collaboration. No single organization can tackle these challenges alone. TCHP brings together a wide network of partners such education institutions, human service agencies, hospitals, and county health departments. TCHP values the voice of people with lived experience and grassroots organizations. In 2023, the Care Connect Task Force was formed to provide a forum for regular input from the community and decision making. The Task Force is more than just a meeting space - it is a problem-solving hub where partners brainstorm, share data, and co-design projects that respond to the Thumb’s unique challenges. From tackling rural transportation barriers to addressing workforce shortages in health care, Care Connect is helping us move from talk to action. By weaving community and provider voices together, we can see the bigger picture and co-design solutions that last. Agencies such as 211, local hospitals, and our county health departments are on the frontlines of care. They provide essential services every day, from crisis response to preventive health screenings. Through TCHP’s partnerships, these agencies are able to connect more seamlessly, reducing duplication and making it easier for residents to access the support they need. “Together, we are creating a safety net that catches people before they fall through the cracks” said Kristin Proctor, TCHP Resident Liaison.
Grassroots Leadership Spotlight – Mama’s Mission
Community change begins at the grassroots. In the Thumb, Mama’s Mission has become a powerful example of neighbors helping neighbors. Their work addresses the immediate needs of families for food and essential items. By partnering with grassroots groups like Mama’s Mission, TCHP ensures that lived experiences shape the programs and policies we build. Solutions are stronger - and more sustainable - when they are designed with the community, not just for it.
Resources Spotlight- www.thumbcares.org
ThumbCares.org is the Thumb region’s one-stop, public resource hub that helps residents and providers quickly find and share local services across Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties. The site organizes assistance into practical categories - food, housing & utilities, physical and mental health, transportation, children & families, seniors & veterans, jobs and education - so people can navigate to help in just a few clicks. The site features curated lists and guides, event updates, and a simple “Get Help” pathway, powered by 2-1-1. The site is designed to streamline referrals and support a “No Wrong Door” approach.
Program Spotlight- Behavioral Health - Man Therapy
Man Therapy is an evidence-based men’s mental health campaign that uses the tongue-in-cheek persona “Dr. Rich Mahogany” to cut through stigma, encourage help-seeking, and ultimately reduce suicide among working-age men. The program drives men (and those who care about them) to practical tools like the quick “18-Point Head Inspection” screening and connects them with local resources - tailored in the Thumb by TCHP - to move from awareness to action. TCHP’s Man Therapy promotion points residents to nearby supports while reinforcing the message that caring for mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness. The campaign has been implemented in the Thumb since 2021 and continues to offer approachable, research-backed materials communities can adopt and share.
Program Spotlight - Community Health Workers (addressing chronic and social drivers of health).
TCHP is building a robust Community Health Worker (CHW) pipeline for the Thumb by recruiting local residents, coordinating high-quality training, and embedding CHWs where they’re most needed - primary care, hospitals, CMHs, FQHCs, schools, and community agencies. The model equips CHWs to address chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, COPD) alongside social drivers of health such as housing, food, transportation, and behavioral health. CHWs use ThumbCares.org to streamline referrals and follow-ups, closing the loop with providers and community partners.
Workforce Spotlight – U of M Flint Educates Rural Nurses Program
UM-FERN is a University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing initiative designed to grow the rural nursing workforce serving the Thumb’s four counties. Backed by a multi-year HRSA grant, the program recruits and supports students from Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and Tuscola - offering targeted preparation, rural clinical experiences, and academic supports so graduates can practice locally and strengthen access to care. The initiative includes an accelerated core program and structured pathways that help students progress efficiently into rural practice. Together, these elements will expand the pipeline of skilled nurses committed to improving health outcomes across the Thumb.
State and Federal Partnerships
Local action is powerful! TCHP is committed to connecting local efforts with state and federal organizations. This allows us to expand our reach and bring new opportunities to the Thumb. TCHP actively pursues grants and partnerships that fill service gaps. By linking local efforts with statewide and national initiatives, we ensure that our region is not left behind.
Looking Ahead
The work of the Thumb Community Health Partnership is ongoing, but our vision is clear: a healthier community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We believe that the key to this future lies in connection - grassroots leaders, local agencies, regional collaborations, and state and federal partners all working together toward common goals.
Health is not just about medical care. It is about empowering individuals, creating opportunity, and listening to the community. By addressing the root causes of health disparities, TCHP is helping to write a new story for our region - one where innovation, empathy, and collaboration create lasting change. Together, we can ensure that the Thumb is not only a place we call home, but a place where every individual and family has the chance to live their healthiest life.
Do you have a story to share? Know a rural organization or individual making a difference? Email Laura Stoddard, Social Drivers of Health Manager, at laura.mispelon@affiliate.msu.edu, and let us share your story!