Community Health Action of Staten Island
Darlene Laplante, MPA is currently the Health Equity Director at Community Health Action of Staten Island. Darlene previously held positions at companies such as Pillar Care Continuum, Owen Health Care Inc, Kaleidoscope Family Solutions, Inc., and Well of Hope Community Development Corporation. Darlene completed their Master of Public Administration in Health/Health Care Administration/Management at Kean University in 2019 after earning their Bachelor of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from Montclair State University in 2017. Darlene graduated from University Academy Charter High School in 2013.
Community Health Action of Staten Island
Community Health Action of Staten Island drives dramatic improvements in the health of Staten Islanders. In 1988, a group comprised of Staten Islanders who were concerned about the impact of AIDS on our community came together to address the stigma, the discrimination, and terrible conditions of people with AIDS on Staten Island. This group of activists, providers, family members, and people living with the virus to mount created the Staten Island AIDS Task Force. In 2004, we changed our name from the Staten Island AIDS Task Force to Community Health Action of Staten Island to reflect the expansion of our services as we respond to the evolving needs of the people we serve. Over the years, our services expanded. We now offer a wide range of services, including domestic violence counseling and intervention, a 24-hour resource and recovery center, alternatives to incarceration services, initiatives for the LGBTQ community and youth, peer education and syringe exchange, opioid overdose prevention trainings, HIV prevention education, benefits assistance for SNAP and health insurance enrollment, community-based HIV, hepatitis C and STD testing, a food pantry, and a mobile food pantry. The agency operates in neighborhoods with the highest rates of HIV, poverty and substance use. We also operate programs on Mobile Health Units, in NYS Correctional Facilities, at the Pride Center of Staten Island, and the Staten Island Family Justice Center.