In this episode of Hello Austin County, we’re joined by Michelle Wright and Rosalinda Marez from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office to talk about a powerful new public health initiative called Reaching Well—a CDC-funded program designed to build healthier communities through education, outreach, and trusted local partnerships.
Michelle and Rosalinda explain how Reaching Well works with churches, schools, daycares, and community leaders to connect residents with health screenings, chronic disease prevention tools, and even food access support. From organizing annual health expos to guiding local churches in offering wellness workshops, their goal is to empower rural communities with sustainable, grassroots health education.
We discuss everything from the barriers rural Texans face—like lack of transportation and limited access to fresh produce—to creative solutions like faith-based fitness programs, healthy cooking classes, and supporting local farmers. Rosalinda also shares how early childhood centers can benefit from free health assessment tools like Go NAPSACC and Healthy Building Blocks.
💪 Whether you’re a community leader, church member, parent, or someone just trying to live a little healthier, this episode is packed with practical ways to make wellness more accessible for everyone in Austin County.
📞 Want to bring Reaching Well to your school, church, or organization? Reach out to Michelle Wright or Rosalinda Marez with AgriLife Extension—they’re ready to help!
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Until next time—be well, Austin County! 💚👟🥦
⏰ 0:00 – Meet Michelle Wright and Rosalinda Marez: Our guests share how their work is making a difference in Austin County’s health and wellness and how they connected through their shared passion for public health and helping rural communities.
⏰ 2:01 – Overview of the Reaching Well Program: A CDC-funded initiative focused on building healthier communities through local partnerships, education, and outreach.
⏰ 3:14 – Addressing Rural Health Challenges: Rosalinda highlights the barriers rural residents face—from lack of transportation to food deserts—and how Reaching Well bridges the gap.
⏰ 4:27 – The Well Church Initiative: How partnerships with churches provide a trusted space for screenings, education, and lifestyle support through faith-based programming.
⏰ 6:27 – Target Audiences and Community Assessments: Michelle and Rosalinda stress the importance of listening to community needs before implementing programs—it’s about filling gaps, not reinventing the wheel.
⏰ 18:55 – Texas Healthy Building Blocks and Go NAPSACC: Free tools and guidance for daycare centers and early childhood educators to improve nutrition, physical activity, and screen time habits in young children.
⏰ 28:23 – Upcoming Health Expo Details: Learn about the November 16th Health Expo at Bellville Methodist Church Gym, featuring screenings, Q&As with health experts, and wellness resources for the community.
⏰ 29:47 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information: Michelle and Rosalinda invite schools, churches, and local organizations to get involved and share how to reach them for help.
⏰ 33:49 – Closing Credits and Grant Acknowledgment: Reaching Well is made possible through funding from the CDC and implemented through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.