Community Partner Newsletter Volume Four
Who Are We?
The Community Affairs and Engagement team at Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is comprised of 16 certified Community Health Workers (CHWs) and 6 Community Health Educators (CHEs). CHNCT’s CHWs serve as ambassadors for the HUSKY Health program and are committed to building equity through our diversity, inclusion, and community engagement effort. We work to ensure that all members, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation have the opportunity to reach a better quality of health. Our CHWs provide non-clinical support that, when combined with the clinical support of the Intensive Care Management (ICM) team, addresses the needs of the whole-person, rather than looking at the members as their condition or diagnosis. We are knowledgeable about statewide services available to HUSKY Health members. We are familiar with many of the neighborhoods where HUSKY Health members live and have diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which plays a huge role in how we can work to meet the needs of a person. CHNCT’s CHEs coordinate culturally appropriate health information using CHNCT’s nutritional programs in a classroom setting, at health fairs, or community events. We educate and provide resources to HUSKY Health members for health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHO ARE WE?.......................................................................1 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES................................2 PEACE AT HOME PARENTING SOLUTIONS..............................3 DISABILITY SERVICES............................................................4 COVID-19 INFORMATION........................................................4 FAT ATTACK...........................................................................5 HEALTHY EATING....................................................................5
Our CHEs provide referrals to assist members in appropriately utilizing the HUSKY Health program. They also provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education and referrals to community resources. CHEs participate in health fairs, community meetings, health promotions, and outreach activities in the community. The Community Affairs and Engagement team develops positive, supportive relationships with members through ongoing contact via telephone or face-to-face visits, the latter of which can take place in a member’s home, at a HUB site, and/or in the community. These relationships guide members toward the adoption of healthy behaviors, improved self-management, and increased independence, all of which lead toward improved health outcomes.
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 1
Community Engagement Finding resources for children and/or adults can be challenging and overwhelming for parents, guardians, and caretakers. CHNCT’s CHWs are able to connect families to resources. If a HUSKY Health member is in need of assistance, please refer them to our Community Affairs and Engagement Department at 1.888.786.2345 . Our CHWs help connect members with benefits available through the HUSKY Health program as well as resources and advocacy services within their local community.
HUSKY HEALTH RESOURCES:
• Behavioral Health Services • Dental Services • Department of Social Services (DSS) Benefits Center/ConneCT
• Intensive Care Management (ICM) • Member Engagement Services (MES) • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation • Peace At Home Parenting Solutions
• Pharmacy Services • 24/7 Nurse Helpline
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
• Advocacy Programs • Clothing Closets • Connecticut Homecare Programs • Employment Services • Food Pantries • Medicaid Waiver Programs • Rental Assistance • Special Needs Programs
• Support Groups • Utility Assistance
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HUSKY HEALTH SERVICES, MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL: • Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership (CT BHP) - 1.877.552.8247 • Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) - 1.855.283.3682
• Intensive Care Management (ICM) - 1.800.859.9889 • Member Engagement Services - 1.800.859.9889 • Non-Emergency Transportation Services - 1.855.478.7350
• Pharmacy Services - 1.866.409.8430 • 24/7 Nurse Helpline - 1.800.859.9889
FOR HELP WITH BASIC NEEDS, MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONNECT WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES: • ConneCT (food and cash resources) - https://www.connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp • Connecticut 2-1-1 - https://www.211ct.org/ • DSS Benefit Center/ConneCT - 1.855.626.6632 • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Offices - https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/WIC/Find-a-Local-Agency For more information, visit the HUSKY Health website at portal.ct.gov/husky .
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 2
Peace At Home Parenting Solutions
The HUSKY Health program is now offering FREE online parenting classes through Peace At Home Parenting Solutions!
HUSKY Health members can now attend brief, recorded parenting classes that focus on topics like positive discipline, child development, co-parenting, potty training, and much more. When you visit the HUSKY Health program Parenting Library, you can: • Choose a class (all classes are 20 minutes or less)
• Watch as many times as you want • Download handouts with key points • Receive a certificate
To visit the HUSKY Health program Parenting Library and start attending classes, scan here:
Visit www.peaceathomeparenting.com/husky-health or call 1.888.786.2345 for more information.
Get started finding Peace at Home!
PARENT ING SOLUT IONS PEACE AT HOME
Disability Services
In life, we all face obstacles that we have to overcome, but for people with disabilities and their caregivers, life can be even more challenging. Opportunities and resources that may be available for some may be very limited or may not yet exist for others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the challenges that people with disabilities may face are attitudinal, physical, transportation, communication, and social barriers. Society’s understanding of disability is improving as we recognize “disability” as what occurs when a person’s functional needs are not addressed in their physical and social environment. By not considering disability a personal deficit or shortcoming, and instead thinking of it as a social responsibility in which all people can be supported to live independent and full lives, it becomes easier to recognize and address challenges that all people–including those with disabilities–experience. 1 Getting into a vehicle may seem like an easy task for most
of us, but for person(s) who uses a wheelchair, the vehicle will more than likely have to be wheelchair accessible and so will the place of destination. Steps and curbs can be a physical barrier. This limits where and how one can travel. Some people communicate using sign language or other verbal or nonverbal techniques where a caregiver may need to be present. Not all public places are equipped to meet the needs of persons with communication barriers. For those who are
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 3
visually impaired, braille or screen readers may not be accessible or available. These are just a few challenges that can contribute to social isolation and limited ability to engage with others, or interact in social settings. Although there have been some changes over the years to provide accommodations, there is still a need for much more. For the primary caregiver, this also impacts their life as well. Many people with disabilities are looking for a means to have access to the things that they need, and to participate in life without discrimination or extreme difficulty. Although “people with disabilities” sometimes refers to a single population, this is a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs. Two people with the same type of disability can be affected in very different ways. Some disabilities may be hidden or not easy to see. 2 Grouping everyone in the same category should be avoided when trying to meet a person’s specific needs.
At CHNCT, we strive to serve the underserved. We provide quality services to those in need while also promoting health, and resources that will benefit HUSKY Health members. Below are resources that may be beneficial: For disability services, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Health-And-Home- Care/Disability-Services/Disability-Services For developmental services, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/dds References 1. www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-barriers. html#Physical 2. www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/features/mental- health-for-all.html
Steps to Continue Protecting Yourself from COVID-19
be vaccinated against COVID-19, should be vaccinated. Vaccination helps protect an individual from hospitalization and death, and it can protect those around us who are either too young or medically cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19. More information on vaccines can be found on the CDC’s website. If you are looking for a vaccination site near you, simply text your zip code to GETVAX for English or VACUNA for Spanish. As new variants continue to circulate, third shots or “booster shots” have been recommended for certain groups. For a list of groups who are currently recommended to receive the booster shot, please visit the CDC’s website. Reference 1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings. html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww. cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent- getting-sick%2Fmasks-protect-you-and-me.html
a social distance of at least six feet or more, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, wash hands frequently, cover cough and sneeze, clean and disinfect high touch surfaces, and continue to monitor their health daily. 1 In addition to continuing with these mitigation strategies, the CDC recommends that all individuals who can
COVID-19 continues to spread in our communities and there are simple steps you can take to continue to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19 infection. The CDC recommends all individuals over the age of two years old wear a mask while indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status, maintain
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 4
Fat Attack TM
CHNCT recognizes that obesity and related chronic diseases are complex health issues that are driven by many factors including, but not limited to, dietary patterns, activity levels, genetics, and environmental factors. To combat obesity and chronic disease, CHNCT has created the Fat Attack™ program to address an important dietary issue (excessive fat consumption, particularly unhealthy fats) in the communities we serve. Fat Attack™ is an interactive, educational program aimed at raising awareness in children and adults about dietary fats, their effects, and, most importantly, healthier alternatives to unhealthy fat consumption. TM
Visit the link below to see a video on “What is Fat?”:
https://youtu.be/D14VzO9NTaI
For more information or to request a Fat Attack™ workshop, visit our website at:
https://www.huskyhealthct.org/members/Fat_Attack/indexHome.html
Healthy Eating
The Fall Vegetable Salad is loaded with healthy foods from all five food groups, to help keep your immune system strong as we head into the cold weather months. This recipe is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Different colored fruits and vegetables offer many health benefits; eating a wide variety can help prevent and fight against many diseases. 1 This salad alone uses red, yellow, green, and even white vegetables! Beets are a good source of vitamin c and provide the mineral zinc, 2 both of which keep the immune system strong by helping to heal wounds and fight off bacteria and viruses. 3 The beet greens, quinoa, nuts, and seeds also provide zinc, as well as the trace mineral and antioxidant, copper, which boosts the immune system and fights infections. 4 Quinoa is cooked and eaten like a whole grain, but it is actually a seed, and therefore is a complete protein with all the essential amino acids our body needs to function properly and stay healthy. 5 Amino
Our featured salad, the Fall Vegetable Salad , comes from Cooking Matters, a non-profit organization that helps end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices. We partner with schools, health centers, and social service agencies to teach people how to cook, shop, and eat healthy on a limited budget. Click here for the recipe: https://cookingmatters.org/recipes/fall-vegetable- salad.
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 5
acids are considered essential, because our body cannot make them on its own, so it is important that we get them from our diet. 6 Be budget-friendly. Fresh root vegetables such as beets, carrots, and parsnips taste best and are least expensive when you buy them in season, which is typically late summer through early winter. 7 Making the salad dressing from ingredients you already have will let you control the amount of fat and salt you take in, plus save you from spending a few bucks on
buying a bottle of premade dressing 8 . The most expensive food is the food you throw away, so prevent waste by using all the parts of a plant that you can. Soak and rinse the beet leaves to clean and use as your salad greens. This salad is so filling that it can be eaten as a side dish or a main entrée.
References: 1. Different Color Fruits and Vegetables. USDA MyPlate. US Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/vegetables 2. June Veggie of the Month: Beets. HealthySD.Gov. South Dakota Department of Health. (2021). Retrieved from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169145/nutrients 3. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C. (2021). Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/ 4. US National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin C and Infections. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409678/ 5. US National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus. Healthy Food Trends – Quinoa. (2021). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000731.htm 6. US National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus. Amino Acids. (2021). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002222.htm 7. USDA. MyPlate. US Department of Agriculture. Shop Smart. Retrieved on September 30, 2021 from https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/healthy-eating-budget/shop-smart 8. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Six Tips to Enhance Immunity. Retrieved on September 30, 2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/enhance-immunity/index.html
Community Affairs and Engagement Newsletter
Page 6
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker