FARMINGTON -- Over the past 16 years, the Franklin Community Health Network has asked the community to tell them how they can make Franklin County a better place to live.

The network's eighth survey, which should be completed by the end of August, continues to incorporate priorities, like increasing physical activities, improving nutrition, and promoting local food, said Sandy Richard. The survey will include area churches, health care providers, the Salvation Army and Red Cross, the United Way, and town offices.

This biennial survey engaged more than 2,000 people in the last effort, according to Richard, Healthy Community Coalition's interim executive director.

"In response to past survey requests, we've gone to local schools to promote healthy eating through School Health Coordinator activities such as a Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds after-school program," she said. "The Healthy Community Coalition and the Center for GIS are working on mapping all areas for physical activity in our area ...."

The Hope Harvest Community Garden in Farmington distributed thousands of pounds of fresh produce to nine area food pantries and is hoping to do more this year. Walking and biking trails can be found on the Community Connector Web site at

www.TheCommunityConnector.org

The Head Start's I Am Moving, I Am Learning program encourages children to choose outdoor activities instead of sitting in front of televisions, computers, and video games.

Franklin Community Health Network, which includes Franklin Memorial Hospital, encourages complementary therapies, including reiki, massage, yoga, and chiropractic care. The Franklin Health Access Rx Program helps residents get free or low cost prescription medication, saving an estimated $500,000 to date, Richard said.

Real estate agents, cosmetologists, town clerks, and others who are community contacts received resource kits with information they could give their customers about transportation, paying for medications or finding a medical provider.

"We know residents are concerned about support for older adults, substance abuse prevention and treatment, domestic and sexual violence, mental health services, and improving access to health care," Richard said. "People are concerned about paying for medications, doctor's visits, dental services or other specialty care, and having transportation options."

Surveys should be returned by August 31 to Healthy Community Coalition, 20 Church Street, Wilton, ME 04294. Surveys can be faxed to 645-4138 or completed online at

http://www.fchn.org/hcc/community-health-visioning/survey.