4 the Record: Precinct 4 February 2024 Newsletter

This February, as we observe American Heart Month, we raise awareness not only of the need to promote heart health but also to prioritize overall health.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors that can contribute to heart disease. Additionally, lifestyle choices like an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of heart disease.

One of the many responsibilities of local government is to protect the well-being of its residents, so we at Precinct 4 want to help empower you to take care of your health. Because we know it can be a challenge to access quality healthcare, reliable transportation, or the resources to talk to a doctor online, we are working hard to bring healthcare to you.

Our 10 community centers, 55 parks, and almost 100 miles of trails are open to everyone. Whether you are interested in yoga, dancing, ping-pong, or Zumba, our community centers have activities for every age. We invite you to visit them, bring your families, and get active.

Bayland Community Center in Sharpstown will soon have a Neighborhood Connections Hub, which will allow residents to easily access health resources. As part of this hub, we are working on adding a virtual health site so residents can easily, and privately, visit with their doctors online.

The American Heart Association donated two CPR training kits to Precinct 4’s Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic and Fitness Center. We will be using these to train not only our staff in CPR but also residents who want to learn this lifesaving skill. I invite you to stay up to date with our programming both on our website and social media to learn more about upcoming classes.

Lastly, Harris County Public Health offers free and low-cost routine healthcare exams, which include blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol tests, diabetes screenings, and much more. HCPH also provides comprehensive lists of Houston-area clinics and offices that can assist with a variety of health needs from heart health to mental health.

We must continue working toward a future where everyone—irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or gender—has access to high quality opportunities and resources like healthcare. Together, we can address systemic inequities that have historically marginalized communities.

Your health and the health of your families is a top priority. I encourage you to take advantage of these incredible services, and I hope that together we can continue improving the well-being of our community.

All my best,

Lesley Briones

After 6 months of collaborative effort, expert-led advisory committees in Justice & Safety, Health, Economic Opportunity & Education, Good Government, and Infrastructure presented their reports to Commissioner Lesley Briones. The community-led coalitions provided suggestions for how we can move Harris County Precinct 4 forward.

Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia announced a major investment to enhance naturalization services in Harris County. In collaboration with Harris County Community Services, Harris County Public Library, and Galveston-Houston Immigration Representation Project, over $5.8 million approved by Commissioners Court aims to empower over 200,000 eligible immigrants in Harris County on their path to citizenship.

Commissioner Lesley Briones is bringing farm-fresh food to Precinct 4 residents in need in partnership with The Common Market Texas. Funded by federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act, the program will bring 140 boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce for distribution at three Precinct 4 community centers biweekly. The program will run throughout 2024 to help address food insecurity.

January 9, 2024

✅ Took steps to increase the County’s resilience by installing distributed energy resources, such as solar and battery power at four Precinct 4 community centers. Adding these sources of renewable energy will enable us to keep critical facilities operating during emergencies.

✅ Approved an agreement with Harris Health System to create a virtual health site at Bayland Community Center. Soon, Harris Health System patients will be able to schedule and conduct telehealth visits making it easier for people to stay on top of routine and follow-up appointments.

✅ Honored the Houston Loves Teachers organization which received a charitable donation from the Harris County- Houston Sports Authority as part of the College Football Playoff National Championship game held at NRG Park.

January 30, 2024

✅ Approved the Clean Streets, Safe Neighborhoods Civic Art Initiative, allocating $3 million in federal #ARPA funds. This initiative will elevate our public spaces in Alief, Gulfton, and Sharpstown by integrating artwork into existing projects.

✅ Approved the establishment of a CPS Prevention and Rehabilitation Court, a vital step in prioritizing the well-being of our community’s youth and families. This civil specialty court will provide those families with essential case management and substance abuse treatment.

✅ Received the annual utilization report for the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program, showcasing remarkable progress. Contract dollars awarded to M/WBEs have surged from about 9% in 2020 to an impressive 27% – a significant step forward.

Precinct 4 Plants 150 Trees at

Bear Creek Pioneers Park

Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4 team made a positive impact in our community during MLK Weekend with a tree planting at Bear Creek Pioneers Park. Over 80 volunteers planted 150 trees.

Volunteers Host Community Cleanup in Riceville

Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4 team joined hands to cleanup the historic Riceville community over MLK weekend. The team picked up trash along the streets.

Precinct 4 Launches Katy East Community Plan & Mobility Study

Community members shared their valuable ideas, details, and requests for the Katy East Community Plan and Mobility Study. With robust public engagement, we’re set to examine and address land use, mobility, infrastructure, and economic development.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Commissioner Briones Tours Daikin Texas Technology Park

Commissioner Briones toured the impressive Daikin Comfort Texas Technology Park, delving into the manufacturing process at one of Precinct 4’s largest employers. The facility is designed from the ground up to encourage collaboration and innovation.