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Quality of Life
LEAD Team
The Quality of Life LEAD Team
is comprised of representatives
from across Polk County including
non-profits, government, health
ABOVE: The Quality of Life Team working collaboratively with the Rath
Senior Connextions and Education Center, presented a forum in March,
2018, focused on senior behavioral health, Living with Purpose.
care, education and faith-based
organizations. This diversity affords
the opportunity to obtain different
perspectives as the Team strategizes
LEFT: Featured Guest
Speaker Bill Mutz, Mayor,
City of Lakeland provided
insight on living with
purpose and managing
time intentionally.
on ways to conduct inter-active
education forums on various topics
impacting the quality of life of Polk
County citizens.
Over the past 18 months, the Team
has been focused on holding a
series of community information
sessions on the topic of behavioral
health – which is a huge and
complex undertaking. However,
by starting the conversation, the
Team‘s goal was to demystify
the complexities that are often
associated with mental health,
enhance understanding, and provide
27.2%
information on accessing resources
in Polk County.
of Polk County Children (18
and under) Live in Poverty.
In March 2018, the Quality of
Life team concluded its series of
interactive forums on Behavioral
(US Bureau of the Census, American
Community Survey, 2016)
Health with a session focused on
Seniors. Challenges associated with
growing old, such as loss of a spouse,
17.7% OVER 4200 loss of mobility and independence,
of Polk County
Residents Live in
Poverty. Polk County Public Schools'
Students Experienced
Homelessness During the
2017- 2018 School Year. health for seniors. Staying physically
(US Bureau of the Census,
American Community Survey,
2016)
(Polk County Public Schools)
and declining physical health can
lead to problems with mental
healthy, socially active, and mentally
engaged as you age are keys to
boosting senior mental health.