CHII/NiCIP
July 1, 2026
The Lynn Public Health Division is thrilled to celebrate Year 3 of the Community Health Inclusion Index (CHII) grant, a cornerstone of our city's health equity agenda that focuses directly on disability inclusion and physical accessibility. Using the research-backed CHII assessment tool, our team has been engaging members of Lynn’s Disability Community to identify and eliminate barriers for residents living with disabilities. To keep this work deeply rooted in the community, the division coordinates with the Inclusive Health Coalition (IHC)—a diverse steering body that elevates the voices Lynn’s residents living with disabilities, to guide our municipal planning and ensure city investments go where they are needed most.
As we enter this third year, our direct engagement with the Lynn disability community has pinpointed three critical focus areas for our immediate inclusion solutions: transportation options, making community events accessible, and upgrading accessibility at City Hall for residents conducting daily business. These insights are already driving tangible changes you see across Lynn every single day, from the rollout of portable Mobi-Mats at seasonal outdoor events to providing live-captioning and translation services at public meetings via Boostlingo.
To further support community-wide access, the Health Division is excited to announce a new equipment-loan program. Lynn-based organizations hosting local events can now borrow our portable Mobi-Mats to ensure their own outdoor activities are fully accessible to all attendees. If your organization is planning an upcoming event and would like to utilize these mats, please reach out to the Lynn Public Health Division to inquire about availability and the loan process.
May 27, 2025 - City of Lynn Disability Access Project Final Report
English PDF: City of Lynn Disability Access Project Final Report
Accessible iPads Available at Lynn City Hall!
Available to check-out at Lynn City Hall during City Hall hours to help assist with City Hall business. Form of identification and contact information needed to check-out iPad.
Come to the Lynn Public Health Division: Community Health Resource Room, rm: 108.
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For more information, contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 781-598-4000 ext. 6719
Community Heat Resilience Pilot Grant
July 1, 2026
The City of Lynn’s Health Division, in partnership with the Latino Support Network, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), has officially launched the Lynn Community Heat Resilience Pilot (CHRP). Backed by a $115,000 budget, this citywide initiative centers resident experiences to identify practical, place-based solutions that combat extreme urban heat. Operating on a structured four-quarter rollout throughout 2026, the pilot focuses on three priority locations equipped with community gardens: High Rock Park, Cook Street Playground, and Warren Street Park. By translating community feedback into immediate municipal action, the project aims to strengthen long-term coordination between Lynn residents, grassroots groups, and local government to inform future citywide capital investments and climate policy.
The core of the pilot features a three-pronged implementation strategy designed to protect public health during peak summer heat events.
- First, the city is collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Lynn Water & Sewer to install public water bubblers (drinking fountains) and upgraded irrigation hookups at the three pilot parks to support both residents and garden maintenance.
- Second, the grant provides crucial capacity-building funds and stipends to existing volunteer garden groups—such as The Food Project—to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital green spaces.
- Finally, the initiative deploys robust, multilingual community outreach to share heat-safety resources while simultaneously exploring supplemental, budget-permitting strategies like tree planting and temporary, movable shading structures for parks with splash pads.
Contact Tracing Grant
July 1, 2026
Since 2021, the City of Lynn has received approximately 1.5 million dollars in Contact Tracing Funds from the Department of Public Health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This money was originally used for rapid deployment of clinical services and disease surveillance at the height of the pandemic including contact tracers, epidemiologists and nursing staff. As vaccines became available and the healthcare system was able to maintain case loads, these grants funds were continued by the state to allow for additional support of clinical services and administration of foundational public health services in local communities. In Lynn, these funds have been used for an epidemiologist position, 1 full-time and 3 part-time nurses, a Community Resource Coordinator, COVID-19 test kits, gloves, masks, thermometers, and other medical supplies. These funds have helped demonstrate the importance of a robust public health response to disease outbreak, and the Lynn Public Health Division is happy to share that although this grant is ending June 30, 2026, through additional grants and city funding, we will be able to maintain many of these essential services.
Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant
September 2026
This summer, the Public Health Division was awarded the Healthy Summer Youth Jobs grant through the Attorney General's Office that help funded salaries for our summer youth workers. The grant has since concluded, and we had four amazing students participate for approximately 5-6 weeks.
The students had the opportunity to learn about Public Health and gain hands-on experience by tabling at local organizations, assisting with assembling first aid, hygiene, Narcan, and period product kits for the Community Wellness Vending Machine, and interacting with Lynn residents both in-person and over the phone.
One of their projects this year was "Lynn's Cool Guide", an informative and fun guide highlighting areas in Lynn where residents can go to cool off including splash pad, cooling centers, and beaches. This guide also includes information on the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, which ties into their learning about heat resiliency. Students also completed trainings, including Narcan Training and Teen Mental Health First Aid Training.
Mass Call 3B Youth Prevention Grant
July 1, 2026
Focusing on prevention for middle and high school youth, through the Mass Call 3B Youth Prevention Grant, we have worked to increase protective factors for youth by strengthening healthy social and emotional development across the community. This has included training six youths in Teen Mental Health First Aid, providing I Can Help professional development trainings to 32 school and after-school staff , launching a Photovoice Project in partnership with the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club, and working towards developing a Positive Community Norms Campaign to promote resilience and healthy messaging among young people.
Mass Cultural Council Grant
July 1, 2026
The Lynn Public Health Division was awarded a $750 grant from the Mass Cultural Council to support Movement with Lynn, a community-based dance workshop series, that celebrated the City of Lynn's cultural diversity through dance, dialogue, and wellness. The dance workshops took place in the Spring/Summer which allowed for the events to be outdoors in public spaces and increase access to many.
Three dance groups: Khmer dancers, Dominican dancers, and Hip-Hop performers led 60 to 80-minute workshops by teaching their traditional dances and sharing the cultural history behind each art form. Following each session, participants engaged in discussions about how dance strengthens community connections, promotes cultural understanding, and supports mental health.
MLCHC Grant
July 1, 2026
Mass Largest Cities Health Coalition Homeless Innovations Grant -
A one-time grant funded through the Department Of Public Health for the 14 largest cities in the Commonwealth, the Lynn Public Health Division was able to utilize these funds to support a Temporary Emergency Warming Shelter during the winter of '25-'26; to provide additional resources for the launch of the Calm Team, the City's care-oriented response team; to support food insecurity efforts at The Nest, a transitional housing program for young adults; for climate resiliency efforts at the newly established Lynn Shelter courtyard as well as a medical exam room in the renovated Lynn Shelter. The Public Health Division is proud to have helped with these capital investments to help ensure that the services provided by the recipient agencies are able to be maintained and utilized.
MVP HEAL Grant
July 1, 2026
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Healthy Environments Advance Learning (MVP HEAL)
The City of Lynn’s Health Division partnered with Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy (FDCA) and Lynn Public Schools (LPS) School Nurses Jackie Westrin and Deb Tanzer under the state-funded MVP HEAL initiative to evaluate and address environmental health barriers affecting student learning. Following an initial physical walkthrough that identified structural and aesthetic gaps, the Health Division empowered FDCA students to design and distribute a peer survey evaluating their physical environment. The data revealed a strict hierarchy of student needs, led by an overwhelming concern over temperature instability (57%), which students reported causes physical sickness and disrupts concentration. Additionally, students advocated for expanded indoor and outdoor greenspaces (28%) to combat stagnant air, and had strong feelings about the building's sterile, institutional look—comparing the feeling of the facility to a hospital and requesting vibrant colors and student artwork to improve mental well-being.
To resolve these challenges, the students’ data was shared with City Hall officials, The Mayor, the School Committee, and other community partners: asking on-site teachers, the LPS Administration, the Mayor and local politicians for their support and buy-in to address issues highlighted in the data. Ultimately, this youth-led assessment demonstrates that addressing climate-resilient temperature control and softening institutional school environments are not just cosmetic choices; under the MVP HEAL framework, they are vital environmental health and municipal equity interventions directly tied to student productivity and mental health. As a result of this grant, cooling window tint will be applied to the floors in which students learn, and funds will be provided to the students new greenspace/garden club that was identified. EEA Undersecretary Antos hailed the work in Lynn as one that can be used as a statewide template for approaching this work.
Rize Mosaic Grant - Lynn Calm Team
September 1, 2026
The Calm Team supported the Lynn community through a care-oriented response to calls related to nonviolent conflicts, public health, mental and behavioral health, and other community concerns. Throughout August, the Calm Team also participated in several community events, including the Ward 4 Community Festival at High Rock, the Eliot Back-to-School Event, Family Fun Day for families of children with special needs, and other community gatherings.
The RIZE Mosaic Grant continues to play an important role in supporting Calm Team operations and meeting the needs of Lynn residents impacted by substance use by providing essential supplies, including first aid kits, personal hygiene items, and other basic-needs items that can make a significant difference for residents experiencing housing instability. The grant also supports community-building activities to improve the quality of life for residents dealing with substance use.
In August, RIZE Mosaic funds supported a listening session at the Lynn Shelter Association, creating a safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing housing insecurity to share their concerns, needs, and experiences. The grant also continues to fund a per diem nurse who provides medical support and care to residents at the Lynn Shelter Association.
July 1, 2026
The Lynn Calm Team continues to receive support from the RIZE Mosaic Grant, which plays a vital role in assisting individuals experiencing substance use challenges. This funding helps provide essential supplies, supports substance-free holiday celebrations, and funds a per diem nurse who assists with outreach and care coordination efforts.
In terms of program updates, Calm continues to maintain a presence in community spaces throughout Lynn, fostering a sense of safety and connection through a care-oriented approach. The team supports residents by responding to nonviolent conflicts, addressing housing insecurity, providing mental health support, connecting individuals to community resources, and addressing a wide range of other community needs.
SOR-PEC Grant
State Opioid Response - Prevention in Early Childhood Grant
The Prevention in Early Childhood (PEC) grant focuses on identifying and addressing community factors that increase the risk of future substance use among children impacted by developmental delays and parental substance use. Through this work, we are currently training local providers in Brazelton Touchpoints, an evidence-based professional development model that helps professionals engage families more effectively through a strengths-based approach and better support them during critical stages of child and family development. We have partnered with ASPIRE, LEO, and NAAM to offer these trainings at no cost to local providers.
Stroke Community Awareness Grant
July 1, 2026
The Lynn Public Health Division was awarded a Stroke Community Awareness Grant to expand stroke education and prevention efforts throughout Lynn. Through this grant, the division provided residents with information on the signs and symptoms of stroke, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Grant-funded activities included distributing blood pressure cuffs, provided Farmers Market vouchers and heart healthy cookbooks to encourage healthy eating, hosting educational presentations on stroke prevention and stress management at the Lynn Senior Center, and participating in community events across the city. These efforts helped increase awareness of stroke prevention and empowered residents with resources to support their overall health.
Transportation Grant
October 1, 2026
To help ensure that all City programs and services are accessible to residents and visitors with disabilities, the City of Lynn has retained KMA, LLC to conduct an accessibility assessment and develop a strategic accessibility plan.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person with a disability is defined as as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. Some examples of disabilities include, cancer, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, autism, cerebral palsy, deafness or hearing loss, blindness or low vision, epilepsy, mobility disabilities such as those requiring the use of a wheelchair, walker, or cane, intellectual disabilities, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury.
Public input is an essential part of this effort. We would like to hear your ideas, experiences, and concerns regarding the accessibility of City programs, services, and facilities. Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey using the link below:
English
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2YR7FPK
Portuguese
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DYR6VJB
Spanish
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/29GXLWM
Haitian Creole
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2DH7SFY
Khmer
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/22LXJJS
Russian
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X22GCFJ
September 1, 2026
Do you want to sign up for half-off Reduced Fares on the MBTA, or register for MBTA's The RIDE? Lynn Public Health's Community Transportation Coordinator can help you with this process. Reach out to Nick Alonzo via email ([email protected]) or phone (781-584-2853) to start the process today!
July 1, 2026
MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces
The Community Transportation program secured MassDOT funding to help the City replace inaccessible stretches of pedestrian sidewalk near the Lynn Senior Center on Friend St and Newhall St.
Initiatives:
- Bus Guides
The Community Transportation Coordinator has put together guides for each MBTA bus route that serves Lynn, highlighting key stops and destinations, as well as frequency, trip length, and connections. Pick up these brochures at City Hall in the Public Health Resource Room, room 108.
- ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan
The Community Transportation Coordinator is starting work with the Lynn Planning Department and the Lynn Disability Commission to put together a citywide ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. This is a fundamental step in making Lynn a city accessible to any and every one for current and future generations.
MassDOT Community Transit Grant's Mobility Management Program
Second Round of Funding
With the second round of funding from the Community Transit Grant, the Public Health division is able to continue focusing on issues of mobility and access as it affects Lynn's low-income, senior, and disabled populations. Examples range from expanding the transportation services provided at the Lynn Senior Center, to actively doing outreach and registering folks for transit programs, to longer-term transportation planning.
Scan the QR Code to take our transportation survey or visit here.
Community Transportation Coordinator: Nick Alonzo
EMAIL: [email protected]
More information about events and initiatives coming soon!