Association of State and Territorial Health Officials’ Post

As California works to create a more equitable and culturally responsive health care system, the integration of community health workers, promotores, and representatives (CHW/P/Rs) is at the heart of achieving that vision.   My amazing colleague Carlina Hansen from the California Health Care Foundation was among health leaders who had the opportunity to testify at a recent joint informational hearing with the Assembly Health Committee and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 about the bright spots and barriers to unleashing the full potential of our CHW/P/R workforce.   Despite CHW/P/R services becoming a recognized Medi-Cal benefit in 2022, sustainable financing and program integration face bureaucratic challenges that are hindering community health workers from improving their service across California communities, particularly for immigrants, people of color, and people with low incomes .   Learn more in our latest CHCF blog about what’s needed to support CHW/P/Rs and the communities they serve who value the culturally responsive health care they receive from this workforce.   #HealthEquity #MediCal #HealthWorkforce

Just thinking about population health. And integration ... And all those factors that contribute to excellent health - from housing and education to jobs and safety... not to mention exceptional healthcare from acute medicine to mental health and nursing homes. Working with an integrated system ... and reflecting on what others may do. Really interested in finding out about where the conversations happen across boundaries. Do your Locality Boards include police, education, housing as well as the many others (Trusts, Council, Healthwatch, VSOs etc)? Or where do these conversations happen? We know transformation often happens at the edges - where are the environments (and cultures) where these are surfaced and explored - what are the structures which support and embed? What are the catalysts for the shifts which will make a difference to place based care? Sandra Croasdale Nickie Jakeman Charlie McGibney Inderjit Chana Panagiotis Samartzis Dr Allison Streetly OBE, BA, MB B.Chir, MSC, FFPH Pete Turkington Pip Gaskell [MCIPD] Toby Lindsay Ruth Sefton Cheryl Samuels FCIPD Claudette Elliott Mark Albiston #justimagineifhealth #integratedcare #populationhealth #localityboard #hawkwood Join us for Just Imagine if ... reimagining healthcare 19/20 September - Hawkwood Centre for Future thinking

How Mississippi Is Changing #PublicHealth, an article co-authored by TFAH's Megan Wolfe and Kina L. White, DrPH, MHSA, FACHE, Director of the Office of Community Health Improvement at the Mississippi Department of Health, explores how Mississippi became a national Age Friendly Public Health Systems leader. It maps out how other states can review and rethink their activities to ensure #healthyaging for all. With the support of The John A. Hartford Foundation , the authors convey the importance of prioritizing the #health and well-being of #olderadults. An absolute must read https://bit.ly/4aLGEXc

Update from Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton The recent initiative by the Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, in collaboration with Google, marks a significant stride in mental health care. By creating a centralized Care Portal, Illinois is again at the forefront of prioritizing its residents' well-being. This approach simplifies securing vital support for families, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in mental health struggles. Reflecting on Our Collective Efforts Dear mental health and esteemed public sector leaders, including Legislators nationwide, Your unwavering commitment to investing in technology and support services that enhance clinical offerings from agencies and community organizations is more critical than ever. As we see in Illinois, such initiatives are crucial. Typically, these groups provide round-the-clock assistance only during reimbursable program times. While crisis services are invaluable as a safety net, proactively lessening crisis events could significantly improve stabilization and reduce reliance on law enforcement, first responders, and emergency rooms. A Call to Strengthen Community Care Infrastructure Let's take inspiration from Illinois' example and strengthen our community care infrastructure. We can better serve our most vulnerable residents by funding tools to augment existing clinical programs and minimize crises. This approach leads to improved outcomes and alleviates pressure on other emergency systems. Uniting for a Better Future As we witness the transformative power of technology in mental health care, let's continue our collaborative efforts. Together, we can create a more robust, efficient, and compassionate care system for all. #MentalHealthCare #EarlyIntervention #CommunitySupport #Government #PublicSector #InnovationInCare #DigitalHealth

HAPPENING TODAY: New Approaches to Investing in the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders! If you haven't registered yet, there's still time. https://lnkd.in/e4HgQCpM #publichealth #workforcedevelopment #AmeriCorpsWeek #AmeriCorps30

As California works to create a more equitable and culturally responsive health care system, the integration of community health workers, promotores, and representatives (CHW/P/Rs) is at the heart of achieving that vision.   I had the opportunity testify alongside some incredible partners at a recent joint informational hearing with the Assembly Health Committee and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 about the bright spots and barriers to unleashing the full potential of our CHW/P/R workforce.   Despite CHW/P/R services becoming a recognized Medi-Cal benefit in 2022, challenges related to sustainable financing and program integration are making it difficult to sustainably scale the CHW/P/R workforce. These barriers need to be overcome so that the state's vision can be realized and CHW/P/Rs can amplify their work to improve the health and well-being of our communities - particularly people with low-incomes, people of color and immigrants.   Learn more in our latest CHCF blog about what’s needed to support CHW/P/Rs and the communities they serve: https://lnkd.in/gcT9mCfv   #HealthEquity #MediCal #HealthWorkforce Lisa Murawski Alex Fajardo Andrea Mackey Mayra E Alvarez Maria Lemus Dr. Seciah Aquino Dantia Hudson, MPH Thu Quach Katie Andrew California Rural Indian Health Board El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center Latino Coalition for a Healthy California California Pan-Ethnic Health Network The Children's Partnership (TCP) Vision y Compromiso

Learning about community health workers, promotores, and representatives and their expansive role in California's health care system has been one of the best parts of my role at CHCF. Eager to see how California leaders ensure this workforce is well supported and paid a living wage as they continue their call to serve communities - especially immigrants, people of color, and people with low incomes - and improve health equity across the state. Learn more about community health workers, promotores, and representatives in the new California Health Care Foundation blog. #healthequity #healthworkforce

Today, January 16, 2024, we stand united for the National Day of Racial Healing, a crucial initiative established by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This day calls for healing, unity, and action against the divisive impact of racism and systemic practices. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed disparities rooted in structural and systemic racism, affecting Black, Indigenous, and non-Hispanic white communities. With 246 public health entities declaring racism a public health emergency, including 21 state health departments, 94 county health departments, and 149 city declarations, progress is underway. Yet, challenges persist, from insufficient medical equipment to limited staffing and poor infrastructure affecting outreach to isolated communities. This year, NACDD urges members and partners nationwide to engage in healing activities, events, or strategies that address racism, bias, inequity, injustice, and social justice. Our commitment to racial equity began in 2020 with the Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Alliance, striving to build and leverage a diverse and inclusive workforce and workplace. In 2017, NACDD released the Moving to Institutional Equity Tool: A tool to Address Racial Equity in Public Health, increasing discussion about public health’s role in racial equity and discussing why this is important to public health. Join us on this transformative journey! How can your health department contribute to advancing racial equity and social justice? Share your thoughts and ideas as we work together to create positive change. #NationalDayOfRacialHealing #SocialJustice #HealthEquity #TogetherWeHeal Learn more about National Day of Racial Healing https://lnkd.in/e2zZVn_d

A lot of work is being put into protecting our caregivers each and every day. The Joint Commission has put more focus on the prevention of workplace violence this year as new requirements go into effect on July 1, 2024. As a caregiver, what changes/initiatives would you like to see over the coming year? What content do you feel would be most helpful in an educational seminar? This is a subject that is very important to me. Let’s all work together to make a difference! #workplaceviolenceprevention #safeatwork #1in4

Can we have a larger conversation around this (pretty please)? Yes: I like this, let's move public health by any means necessary. No: I don't like this, continuing to push 'public health' out of public health feels concerning. Begs the question(s): - How effective is Governor DeWine's approach of avoiding direct mention of public health while promoting initiatives that inherently contribute to public health? - What challenges does Governor DeWine face in advocating for public health initiatives within a traditionally conservative political landscape? - How do traditional conservative values align with the promotion of public health initiatives such as safe sleep for infants, early education, mental health care, etc.? - What is the public reception to Governor DeWine's approach of framing public health initiatives within the context of traditional conservative values? - What are the potential long-term impacts of Governor DeWine's approach on public health outcomes in Ohio? Open to thoughts, comments, conversation. P.S. the comments on the original article are a bit funny lol (yikes).