This is a two-year capacity-strengthening program designed for faith communities in the Greater Houston area. It aims to empower faith communities to build effective health programs.

The primary goal is to measurably build internal capacity to address health within each faith community. We aim to help communities implement effective health prevention strategies, foster overall well-being, and prevent or delay chronic diseases, all while emphasizing community-powered sustainability.

The program spans two years, from August 2025 to August 2027. Applications open in early June and close in August, with successful applicants announced in late August.

We welcome applications from all faith communities located in Houston, particularly prioritizing those serving geographic areas facing health inequities, low health literacy, and limited healthcare access.

Each year, ten faith communities will be competitively selected to participate in this intensive two-year journey.

No, not at all. We invite faith communities of different sizes – from large congregations to smaller community-focused groups – to participate. Our program is designed to provide valuable capacity strengthening regardless of your current scale.

No. This cohort program is designed to help faith communities at various stages of their health program or ministry development, including those looking to start one from the ground up. We are here to support your journey from wherever you are.

We love this collaborative spirit! Each house of faith should apply individually. However, please indicate in your application that you are representing your neighborhood and are planning to partner with other faith communities there. This collaborative approach aligns perfectly with our vision for broader community health.

Participating communities will receive comprehensive training, dedicated one-on-one technical assistance, consulting services, clinical linkages, support for program implementation, experiential learning opportunities, field trips, and resource dissemination.

Yes, each selected faith community will receive a $5,000 stipend annually for the two-year duration to support their health program initiatives.

The program includes monthly group learning sessions, personalized one-on-one technical assistance, achieving tiered milestones, Community Health Worker (CHW) mobilization, hands-on program delivery, establishing clinical linkages, and disseminating health resources.

Yes, your faith community will need to designate a core cohort team of a minimum of three and up to six individuals, including a designated leader. It is crucial that these team members possess the authority to make decisions on behalf of the faith community or to confidently make recommendations for the consideration of the faith community's leadership. This commitment to participation and influence is essential throughout the two-year journey.

We would ideally like to see a combination of clergy and lay leader volunteers on your team. It would also be highly beneficial if you could include leaders of different ages, as we strive to create programs that target people of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, families, and seniors.

The program emphasizes primary prevention strategies aimed at promoting overall health and well-being, preventing chronic diseases, and addressing specific health concerns prevalent within your congregation and the community you serve.

The cohort model is built around capacity strengthening and community-powered sustainability. By equipping your internal team with training and resources, our goal is to help you build a robust and lasting portfolio of health programs that can continue their impact beyond the two-year program.

Participating communities are expected to fully commit to the program, including regular attendance at monthly group learning sessions, active engagement in one-on-one technical assistance, progress towards tiered milestones, efforts in CHW mobilization, program delivery, establishing clinical linkages, and data sharing for accountability. 

Meeting dates

Location and time: TBD

Mandatory In-Person Meetings:

1. Cohort Launch / Faith Health Community Assessment Process: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

2. Capacity / Needs Assessment Day: Monday, November 3, 2025

3. Midpoint Celebration: Tuesday, September 9, 2026

4. End of Cohort Celebration: Thursday, September 30, 2027

Other meeting formats (in person or Virtual) will be flexible, and the decision will be made based on which format is most appropriate.

1. Track Meeting: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

2. Cohort Meeting: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

3. Track Meeting: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

4. Cohort Meeting: Tuesday, July 14, 2026

5. Cohort Meeting: Tuesday, November 12, 2026

6. Track Meeting: Tuesday, January 12, 2027

7. Cohort Meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2027

8. Track Meeting: Tuesday, May 11, 2027

9. Cohort Meeting: Tuesday, July 13, 2027

In addition to the meetings listed above, we will also organize individual meetings with your team every month, planning meetings with your assigned Community Health Worker, and joint meetings with other teams who are following the same track as you. We will develop these calendar items together to fit your schedule and preferences. 

Yes, consistent and active participation from your chosen cohort team members in all program activities, including monthly group learning and one-on-one technical assistance, is essential for the success of your faith community within the program.

For more detailed information and to receive updates on when the application officially opens, please visit our dedicated webpage:

https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/hbhmhfc

Please sign up on our website at https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/hbhmhfc to receive updates, including details on any upcoming information sessions or webinars that may be offered to prospective applicants.

This cohort uniquely combines robust capacity strengthening with a focus on community-powered sustainability within a faith-based context. It provides tailored support, emphasizes primary prevention, offers financial stipends, and fosters a collaborative ecosystem to address health inequities directly within Houston's diverse faith communities.

"FaithHealth" refers to the integration of spiritual care and faith community resources with health promotion and disease prevention efforts. This program emphasizes leveraging the unique strengths of faith communities to address health needs holistically.

This impactful leadership training opportunity is provided free of charge to participating faith communities, made possible through the generous support of Novo Nordisk, Inc., for the Cities for Better Health - Houston initiative.

We are committed to transparency and accountability. We track progress through disaggregated data and metrics related to participation, outcomes, and leadership representation. These efforts help ensure accountability and guide continuous improvement for all involved.

Our programmatic work is deeply rooted in grassroots leadership. We prioritize listening to community voices and elevating local leaders who reflect the demographics and experiences of their communities, empowering them to drive health initiatives from within.

The program includes training and support for CHW mobilization, integrating their vital role in connecting community members with health resources and promoting healthier behaviors.

Yes, a core component of the program is to empower faith communities to implement health prevention strategies that help maintain health and well-being, and to prevent or delay the onset and complications of chronic diseases.

Absolutely! The cohort model is designed to foster a vibrant learning community. Through monthly group learning sessions and shared experiences, you will have ample opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build relationships with other faith communities dedicated to health.

Yes, absolutely! We are committed to helping our cohort members grow. We will assist you in seeking additional funding from local, regional, and national philanthropies to support your larger health initiatives and ensure their long-term impact.

Our goal is to foster long-term impact and community-powered sustainability within each faith community. While the intensive training period is 24 months, we envision an ongoing relationship. Graduates of the cohort will become part of the broader Cities for Better Health - Houston ecosystem, providing opportunities for continued networking, resource sharing, and collaboration. We encourage communities to leverage the capacity built and partnerships forged to sustain their health programs independently and remain engaged as a vibrant part of our collective mission for a healthier Houston.