Collaboration is at the heart of a strong safety net, and February’s More than Medical: Exploring the Social Determinants of Health event highlighted just that.
Co-hosted by Arlington Free Clinic and Arlington Community Foundation at Marymount University’s Ballston Campus, the convening brought together partners from across Arlington’s nonprofit and public sectors to explore how coordinated efforts can improve health outcomes for our community.
Opening remarks from Dr. Deidra D. Parrish, Arlington County’s Public Health Director in the Department of Human Services (DHS), set the tone for a conversation centered on shared responsibility. Dr. Parrish emphasized that health is shaped not only by medical care, but also by factors like housing stability, education, and access to essential resources.
A panel moderated by Gabriela Velez brought together (pictured below, left to right) Betsy Frantz of PathForward, Anita Friedman of DHS, Paula Fynboh of Aspire Afterschool Learning, and Lesley Daigle of AFC. Panelists shared real-world examples of how gaps in housing, food access, childcare, and transportation can impact health and how better coordination across organizations can help close those gaps. They also spoke candidly about the challenges low-income individuals face when navigating multiple systems and the importance of reducing friction through stronger communication and alignment between safety net partners.
Through guided discussion and networking, attendees reflected on opportunities to strengthen public and private partnerships, reduce duplication of services, and improve how organizations work together to support Arlington residents. The event reinforced a shared commitment to building a more connected, responsive safety net that meets people where they are and addresses the full picture of their health and well-being.
We are grateful to Boeing for sponsoring and to Marymount University for hosting this important convening.
Read our full spring newsletter here!
