Annual Report
ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
03 04 05 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Letter from the Mayor-President Letter from Leadership Annual Report
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge BRNP Healthcare & Consultants, LLC Baton Rouge Black Alcoholism Council (Metro Health) Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge Police Department / Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center Compassion Design Eternal Crisis Outreach Evaluative and Development Services, LLC / Judge Freddie Pitcher, LLC Family Resource Group Inc. G.R.O.W.T.H. Services of Louisiana Give 365 BR Impact Nurse Consulting Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers Mind Body BR / Pro Photos LA Rosebud Training Academy Set Free Indeed Southern University and A&M College / The Bridge Agency Inc. The Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge, Inc. This annual report publication was created by Family Resource Group Inc for the City of Baton Rouge with contributions from: • The Communications Team – Office of the Mayor-President • The Mayor’s Office of Community Development • Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center • Mission Media, LLC • Pro Photos and Video LA, LLC • Compassion Design
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT
To The Esteemed Citizens of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish, As one of 73 local governments to receive part of a $250 million grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH), Baton Rouge has taken significant steps toward enhancing equitable community responses to COVID- 19 and improving health literacy among racial and ethnic minority groups and vulnerable communities in East Baton Rouge Parish. The achievements of BRAHL are a testament to the strong partnerships we’ve established with community-based organizations and academic institutions. Collaborating with the Southern University Law Center, Southern University System, and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) has been pivotal in implementing best practices to reduce health disparities and improve health literacy in our underserved populations. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, BRAHL has focused on monthly training sessions that connect with our most vulnerable residents. We have empowered community-based organizations to lead health literacy programs, reaching those at the greatest risk for health disparities and low health literacy. Additionally, students from the Southern University Law Center (SULC) have played an active role in our outreach efforts, bringing essential information directly to the community. This hands-on approach has ensured that our messages are clear and culturally relevant. Leveraging social media, local media outlets, including our city-parish’s own Metro 21, and regional radio stations, has also been vital in expanding our reach and keeping our community well-informed. BRAHL’s success underlines the power of collaboration. The partnerships we’ve nurtured have enabled us to create effective health literacy plans that are making a real difference. As we continue to move forward, we remain committed to leveraging local data, reaching those at the highest risk for health disparities, and creating a lasting framework for health literacy. I want to express my deepest gratitude to HHS, our community partners, and the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier future. Thank you for your ongoing support. The pages that follow are to enlighten you regarding the BRAHL grant’s progress through partnerships that have helped the city to accomplish its mission. Warm Regards, Thank you for your ongoing support. The pages that follow are to enlighten you regarding the BRAHL grant’s progress through partnerships that have helped the city to accomplish its mission. Warm Regards, Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration's National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, BRAHL has focused on monthly training sessions that connect with our most vulnerable residents. We have empowered community-based organizations to lead health literacy programs, reaching those at the greatest risk for health disparities and low health literacy. Additionally, students from the Southern University Law Center (SULC) have played an active role in our outreach efforts, bringing essential information directly to the community. This hands- on approach has ensured that our messages are clear and culturally relevant. Leveraging social media, local media outlets, including our city- parish’s own Metro 21, and regional radio stations, has also been vital in expanding our reach and keeping our community well-informed. BRAHL's success underlines the power of collaboration. The partnerships we've nurtured have enabled us to create effective health literacy plans that are making a real difference. As we continue to move forward, we remain committed to leveraging local data, reaching those at the highest risk for health disparities, and creating a lasting framework for health literacy. I want to express my deepest gratitude to HHS, our community partners, and the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier future. Office of the Mayor-President S HARON W ESTON B ROOME Mayor-President City of Baton Rouge Parish of East Baton Rouge 222 St. Louis Street Post Office Box 1471 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821 225 389-3100 Fax 225 389-5203 To The Esteemed Citizens of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish, As one of 73 local governments to receive part of a $250 million grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH), Baton Rouge has taken significant steps toward enhancing equitable community responses to COVID- 19 and improving health literacy among racial and ethnic minority groups and vulnerable communities in East Baton Rouge Parish. The achievements of BRAHL are a testament to the strong partnerships we've established with community-based organizations and academic institutions. Collaborating with the Southern University Law Center, Southern University System, and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) has been pivotal in implementing best practices to reduce health disparities and improve health literacy in our underserved populations.
Sharon Weston Broome Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome Mayor-President
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 3
LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP During July of 2021, the City of Baton Rouge, Office of the Mayor-President, was awarded a federal Advancing Health Literacy grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, to conduct outreach and help mitigate COVID 19 within vulnerable and marginalized communities, i.e., communities of color. The program was dubbed “BRAHL” or Baton Rouge Advancing Health Literacy and was award totaled $4,000,000.00 which initially included two minority-serving institutions, i.e., Southern University and A&M College’s Law Center, Baton Rouge Community College and one community-based organization, Young Adults for Positive Action a/k/a GROWTH Services of Louisiana. During April of 2022, after the untimely illness and subsequent death of then BRAHL Project Director, Dr. Joyce M. Plummer, the BRAHL Program was transferred to the Mayor’s Office of Community Development (OCD) and assigned to myself as the new project director. When looking at the mission of BRAHL—to serve vulnerable communities—along with the OCD mission “to provide decent housing opportunities, improved living environments and expanded opportunities for persons of low and moderate income,” the focus areas appear to both address Social Determinants of Health—factors that influence where a person works, lives and plays. The COVID 19 pandemic was a rude awakening that caused the nation—as well as citizens within the City of Baton Rouge to pause. We were ever so mindful of social distancing, the need to exercise good hygiene, including constant hand washing and to focus on our health in general. As the project director from April 2022 until the program’s end during February of 2024, I am happy to report that program goals were successfully met using a number of interventions and initiatives while building a strong partnership base. While COVID is now as commonplace as the cold or flu—in some respects—lessons learned were invaluable. I want to take this opportunity to thank BRAHL’s federal funder along with the many partners who assisted both the Office of the Mayor-President and OCD in furthering goals to address health literacy, through education and outreach along with many varied interventions and strategies, including educational training events, public service announcements, Metro 21 broadcasts, health fairs, free clinic and in other ways that you will witness on the following pages. While our goal was to reach 3,000 persons over a two-year period, we were able to reach more than 40,000 persons building partnerships with more than 45 community-based organizations and two minority serving institutions to further education around COVID 19, to offer free dental, vision and medical services, to share discussions on the state of Minority Health, promoting how to know their patient rights and have discussions with physicians and knowing when it’s time for a new physician, etc. Lastly, a special thanks is extended to the citizens of this great city for being receptive to healthy behaviors, concepts such as mindfulness, receiving literature on high blood pressure and maintenance and the like. You have each made the difference in this important work!
Daryl E. Blacher Grants Administrator for the Mayor’s Office of Community Development
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 4
OVERALL PROJECT GOAL The goal of the Baton Rouge Advancing Health Literacy (BRAHL) grant was to serve an urban area of focus consisting of citizens residing within primarily six (6) municipal districts located in East Baton Rouge Parish to promote and enhance health literacy within the target areas. Five of these six districts are led by African American Metro Council members. The aim was to reach persons of various ethnicities and genders based on the Disparity Impact Statement provided to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, by the City of Baton Rouge. Additionally, when considering its target audience, the BRAHL team [during 2021] considered the Community Needs Index (CNI). Five Baton Rouge-area hospitals along with the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative a/k/a Healthy BR, utilize this information when conducting its Community Health Needs Assessment every three years. The CNI identifies the severity of health disparity for every zip code in the United States and demonstrates the link between community need, access to care, and preventable hospitalizations on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0. According to a 2018 Community Needs Assessment 1 published by Ochsner Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Baptist and Ochsner medical Center Westbank, two Baton Rouge zip codes had a CNI score of 3.6 and 3.4 respectively. These zip codes were 70815 and 70816. A score of 1.0 indicates a zip code with the least need, while a score of 5.0 represents a zip code with the highest, most immediate needs. The CNI score is an average of five barrier scores that measure socioeconomic indicators of each community via income, cultural, education, insurance, and housing barriers 2 .The following Baton Rouge zip codes face barriers related to income, education, and insurance which have a negative effect on the overall health of the population. The CNI is a strong indicator of a community’s demand or need for various health care services. City of Baton Rouge staff, when writing and ultimately submitting the AHL grant, projected to “provide engagement activities to reach more than half of the 144,000 or at least 72,000 East Baton Rouge Parish residents identified with a CNI score of less than 4.0 with the two-year grant period” 3 .However, the Disparity Impact Statement, originally drafted, was revised during Q6 and resubmitted to OMH for approval with a goal of targeting 5,000 persons to include a comprehensive target number, via race and ethnicity. The Office of the Mayor-President pledged to work collaboratively with two key institutional minority- serving institutions as partners, i.e., the Southern University Law Center - Vulnerable Communities And Peoples Initiative (SULC-VCPI) and The Baton Rouge Community College Foundation (BRCCF) in meeting the Office of Minority Health’s requirement to engage a Louisiana, a local community-based non-profit, was also among the charter partners during Year. 1 Final-CHNA-OMC-_Baptist_West-Bank.pdf (ochsner-craft.s3.amazonaws.com) 2 https://www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/images/municipalities/578/1026.pdf 3 Baton Rouge Advancing Health Literacy “Disparity Impact Statement,” page 5
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 5
1 of the two-year Advancing Health Literacy for Enhancing Equitable Community Responses to COVID 19 grant. The goal of the BRAHL collaboration was to promote and enhance health literacy within the target areas incorporating the following program objectives: Project Objectives That Impacted Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College and GROWTH Services of Louisiana: 1. Provide monthly training and informational sessions in the target areas; 2. Build capacity of and empower community-based organizations to implement best practices for evidence-based health literacy programs; 3. Identify and equip community leaders with the necessary information to develop a cadre of supporters to advance the goals and objectives of BRAHL; 4. Utilize local media outlets to provide information to the public; provide educational opportunities for SULC students to engage with identified communities in sharing public health information and resources, supervised consultations and assistance to program participants. BRAHL will follow the guidelines established in the national action plan to improve health literacy released by the U. S. Department of Health and Human services.
Performance Measures:
GOAL 1: DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION
THAT IS ACCURATE,
ACCESSIBLE, AND ACTIONABLE.
During Year 1, the Baton Rouge Community College Foundation, along with the Baton Rouge Community College Skilled Nursing Program took the lead in developing a BRAHL logo for use by all partners, along with marketing messages for use on billboards and other media to promote health safety and education around COVID-19 in addition to general health promotion materials. Additionally, GROWTH Services of Louisiana collaborated with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to vet, develop and disseminate patient pamphlets to educate them regarding their rights as patients. Educational materials were also disseminated to patients while on-on-one in-person and telephonic interviews were conducted. Working with the BRAHL project evaluator [during Year 1] as well as the BRAHL program manager, interviews and surveys were collected from 14 BRAHL community-based organizations and major subrecipients (including two minority -serving institutions) to list various methods, tools and interventions utilized to meet Performance Measure Goal 1. All events held captured data depicting the number and types of health and safety data distributed and to whom ( Example: by Black Family Initiative, SULC VCPI, GROWTH and others).
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 6
GOAL 2: PROMOTE CHANGES IN THE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT IMPROVE INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION, INFORMED DECISION-MAKING, AND ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES.
Numerous physicians, dentists, optometrists and other medical practitioners and residents represented marginalized Communities and collected data during the June 2-3, 2023 “The State of Minority Health Post COVID-19” Symposium convening medical field personnel, particularly persons of color, health care advocates and members of marginalized communities to discuss and develop approaches to address health literacy within vulnerable communities for future use. This symposium not only provided lessons learned from medical providers during the onset and process of a global pandemic, but also afforded healthcare practitioners to also share transparent testimonies of their endurance. According to several physicians and clinicians, they were isolated from their families to protect them from exposure to or the spread of COVID. Both East Baton Rouge residents and physicians discussed “distrust” among persons of color with it comes to accessing and receiving healthcare. Patient Rights were discussed, as well as how to improve communications with service providers by making informed decisions about one’s personal care. Through the engagement of physicians and the exchange from patients and residents, the BRAHL team fills this goal was met as communication regarding patient concerns was charged with individuals representing the health delivery system. And, healthcare providers also heard from patients so that considerations to access healthcare as well as suggested to enable both parties to make informed decisions were shared. Additionally, during April 2023 and February 2024, the BRAHL team sponsored “free” community clinics in collaboration with Impact Nurse Consulting as a means to provide East Baton Rouge residents “free” access to dental, vision and medical services. More than 35 dentists and dental hygienists provided free dental exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions as a community service due to BRAHL funding made possible through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. Also, approximately five (5) internal medicine physicians and nurses, four (4) Optometrists and others participated in this “free” healthcare event that operated from 6 am to 6 pm. Taking a free clinic “to the people” with no questions asked about current insurance was a factor in peak attendance. This healthcare strategy was an effective intervention or strategy in advancing health literacy and education around prioritizing self-care using nontraditional methods. Translators were on hand as well as assistive devices or software to enhance communication between non-English speaking patients. Various on-site nonprofits that provided various community supports and services were also on hand while persons waited to be treated.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 7
GOAL 3: INCORPORATE ACCURATE AND STANDARDS-BASED HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE HEALTH AND SCIENCE INFORMATION, AND CURRICULA INTO CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL. Through Southern University’s Law Center, Health Law classes were conducted over several semesters impacting more than 12 students. SU developed a curriculum to support the course. One of the highlights of the course is that students participated in lab sessions to enable them to interact with community residents (individuals, parents and children) who in turn could communicate health concerns, provided information on patient rights, assisted residents in completing various forms and the like. Also, during two sessions of the Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic, various brochures and health information –incorporating accurate and standards-based health and developmentally appropriate health and science information was disseminated by Community Resource vendors and physicians during this event. GOAL 4: SUPPORT AND EXPAND LOCAL EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ADULT EDUCATION, ENGLISH- LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION, AND CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. BRAHL grant administrators have summarize professional development/adult education workshop offerings by MindBodyBR and the Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center in addition to methods employed to incorporate culturally and linguistically appropriate health information services (Outreach) to uni- and bi-lingual communities by GROWTH Services of Louisiana, Baton Rouge Police Department, Set Free Indeed, Eternal Crisis Outreach and Love Heals during Year 2 grant activities in its final report to the Office of Minority Health.
GOAL 5: BUILD PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOP GUIDANCE, AND CHANGE POLICIES.
During the two-year grant, data and information was collected and summarized within Quarterly Reports 5-11 to discuss the number of direct and indirect partnerships formed as a result of the BRAHL grant. By sponsoring and supporting the work of the Southern University Law Center, e “The State of Minority Health Post COVID-19” Symposium and two workshops on the Health of Black Men and People of Color, BRAHL administrators are able to influence future city policies and programs impacting health access for marginalized communities.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 8
GOAL 6: INCREASE BASIC RESEARCH AND THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF PRACTICES AND INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE HEALTH LITERACY.
BRAHL administers engaged a project evaluator, to conduct research and analysis of program activities to provide a summation of strategies to improve health literacy. Vendor, Impact Nurse Consulting, working with BRAHL staff, are also compiling information to capture information shared by Love Heals Free Clinic attendees to better address the promotion of improved relationships with physicians regarding health access, resources and improved doctor/patient relationships.
GOAL 7: INCREASE THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH LITERACY PRACTICES AND INTERVENTIONS.
A survey was conducted, among BRAHL partners, to capture information from partners to identify various evidence-based literacy practices and interventions used during this grant award. A final compilation of these approaches was compiled for submission BRAHL funder.
Evaluation of Collaborations between BRAHL Members Vendor Activities
The information below is a summary of the Year 2 activities of the BRAHL project. Due to the changes outlined in the above section of this document, the Year 1 activities were evaluated based on the Year 1 vendor survey. Each of the BRAHL vendors had a different scope of work to measure progress during the life of the project. To evaluate the performance of the BRAHL project the different vendor progress indicators were summarized into five categories: provided professional services, developed campaigns to support health literacy, health literacy media buys, number of individuals impacted by services provided by vendors, and the number of community partners who worked with vendors. Table 2: Summary of the Number Individuals Impacted by BRAHL Vendor Activities in Year 2 Health Literacy Indicator Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Provides Professional Services 2986 12869 875 208 Develop Campaigns to Support Health Literacy 0 369 3627 3103 Health Literacy Media Buys 2949 11295 337 152 Number of Individuals Impact by Vendor Services 3546 12440 9251 5636 Number Community Partners who worked with Vendors 0 472 1326 0
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 9
Table 2 provides the counts of the individuals who benefitted from the services provided by the vendors for the second year of the BRAHL project. For the second year of the project, vendors provided almost 17,000 individuals with professional services that help with health literacy. Over 7,000 individuals made use of the vendors created campaigns to support health literacy. Looking at the use of social media, almost 15,000 individuals made use of the information vendors provided by social media outlets, such as Facebook. Over 30,000 individuals had direct contact with BRAHL vendors and benefited from the services they provided to improve health literacy. Over 1,700 individuals benefited from the services provided by BRAHL vendors and the community partners recruited to assist with the BRAHL program. Vendor Highlights from Year 2: • Baton Rouge Advancing Healthcare Literacy (BRAHL) was able to collaborate with 14 partners. This partnership provided individuals with access to COVID-19 testing sites, provided COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as healthcare literacy pertaining to underlining health issues. • BRAHL collaborated with community partners to assist in the dissemination of both English and Spanish versions of a COVID-19 coloring book. And utilized participating community partners and others to assist in the transcription of English brochures to Spanish. Our program developed and implemented strategies to educate, advocate and support African – American patients, members of the Latinx (Hispanic), and Asian communities and their families during the pandemic to better understand their perspectives on COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, including mask-wearing, testing and vaccines. • BRAHL partnered with Family Resource Group and Mission Media. Mission Media developed and managed a BRAHL website and social media site on Facebook as well as an administrative Gmail account. These accounts were intended to manage and forward social account(s) contacts. BRAHL vendors hosted sessions to provide COVID-19 resources and information to participating individuals. These individuals were referred to qualified health care centers. BRAHL vendors have collaborated with FQHCs: Open Health, Care South, and Baton Rouge Primary Care. These FQHCs were in near proximity to the residence of targeted populations of the BRAHL project. The providers have also trained Health Literacy Coaches. • Community Partner Impact Nurse Consulting planned a 2-day free wellness clinic that took place in April 2023. The wellness clinic provided access to COVID – 19 testing, COVID – 19 vaccinations, and health care information pertaining to underlining conditions and information on how to manage chronic and acute health conditions. • Southern University Law School, through its VCPI initiative, successfully planned, developed, and implemented a legal clinic focused on health law and advocacy involving Southern University Law School students. This BRAHL partner administered a Health Law 768 Class, that followed a specifically designed course syllabus, to support the goals of the BRAHL grant. The course was designed to provide public health topics to educate students on outreach relative to health access and health issues impacting marginalized communities. • BRAHL Partner Baton Rouge Community College’s BRAHL Program held a Wellness Fair providing and promoting healthcare literacy and services. The Wellness Fair focused on diabetes, hypertension,
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 10
healthy eating, and mental health components promoting emotional wellness. BRCC also provided a mobile health unit through community healthcare partner Open Health, which offered COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, flu shots, glucose checks, and blood pressure checks to the community.
• GROWTH of Louisiana was able to refer individuals to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), Open Health, Care South, and Baton Rouge Primary Care. The Services organization continued the work of developing and implementing motivational strategies and communication techniques to help individuals and families create sustainable behavior changes and decision-making that led to better health.
• BRAHL team representatives in the Mayor’s Office worked with Family Resource Group to plan the distribution of an additional 32,000 copies of Kid Scoop News publication featuring a Covid-19 coloring contest. Local philanthropic organizations donated bikes and other prizes to winners- across the community - along with resources for area elementary schools.
• Mindbody BR hosted an education session to promote the importance if vaccination and the link between minority populations and increased risk of illness including COVID19. MindBody BR covered protective factors and ways to support health across all the 8 dimensions of wellness (SAMSHA), they were able to highlight the attention of vulnerability to COVID-19 in high trauma exposure and chronic stress.
• Mission Media provided monthly engagement with BRAHL partners to: develop strategies to increase awareness of available health resources throughout vulnerable communities; build capacity of and empower community-based organizations; and engaged community-based organizations to create a network that improved and strengthened equitable access to healthcare information, public health resources and services. • GROWTH Services assisted children, families, and the elderly with social, emotional, and mental health support through the conduit of education, coaching, and hands-on training. GROWTH Services educated those they serve to become receptive and open to learning new skills for the purpose of health, healing, and growth. GROWTHS licensed and non-licensed staff received training on protocols, social, emotional, and mental health matters, sharpening their skill set to which they can offer excellent customer service and evidence-based information. They provided four-hour training sessions to individuals on stressors seen and unseen, and how stressors impact our bodies and provided them with the tools to take control of personal healing. • The 2023 Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic-The 2023 Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic occurred on 4/15/2023 – 04/16/2023 at the Raising Cane’s River Center. For the two-day event there was a total of 1,349 individuals who took part in the various services provided by the BRAHL team. Multiple BRAHL vendors and community partners took part in this event which was led by Impact of Baton Rouge. These partners included: Louisiana Healthcare Connections, AmeriHealth Caritas, Metromorphosis, Partners Southeast, Caresouth Medical and Dental, Louisiana Department of Health, Southeast Cardiovascular,
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 11
and Family Road. A community partnership was established with Smile Studio Dentistry to oversee dental cleaning, dental fillings, and extractions with support from CareSouth Dental and Medical to handle any emergency issues. During the Free Clinic support was provided by the Louisiana Dental Association to aid in compliance with all services provided on site. Efforts to support the success of the clinic were helped by over 700 volunteers from the community. These volunteers helped with medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, hospitality, security, and many other areas within the event. • One of the main successes of the Love Heals Free Clinic was ensuring those who took part in the event had access to long term resources to address critical health needs of the citizens of East Baton Rouge parish. These resources helped to mitigate the long-term effects of COVID-19. Of the 1,349 community members who visited the clinic, 293 received medical services, 432 received dental services, 233 received vision services, 69 received COVID-19 vaccinations, and 245 received COVID-19 test kits. Finally, 23 vendors provided health literacy information, access to healthcare services, and direct support services to individuals who attended the clinic. This information was geared to assist participants with increasing their knowledge about their own health and the impact COVID-19 can have on their health and overall health outcomes.
City of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge Advancing Health Literacy Disparity Impact Statement Targets and Final Persons Impacted by Race July 1, 2021 through February 29, 2024
Racial Categories
Total Number of Targets Per Race (Projected)
Actual Number of Persons Served/Impacted
American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Hispanic or Latino
25 50 4000 0
15 220 17,240 2
200 650 65
1,754 1,075 68
*Other multiple race combinations greater than one percent; (Per the Form instructions, write in a description using the box on the right) Note: These numbers included persons of other nationalities from other countries and/or bi-racial Balance of individuals reporting more than one race Total Unreported by race (via Social Media events, webinars, Constant Contact, or data not reported by partners, etc.) Total
10 5000
917 21,291 101,937 123,228.00
5000
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 12
ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE
ABOUT US
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s mission is to foster the creative capacity of the capital region through advocacy, resources, and education. Established in 1973, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge works to promote cultural growth, economic development, and educational enhancement through the arts in and around the 11-parish region it serves. Those parishes include Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupée, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Feliciana, and West Baton Rouge.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge , in partnership with the City of Baton Rouge, BRAHL, One Nation/One Project and National League of Cities, will participate in artmaking and health initiatives under the theme “There’s No Place Like Home.” Artists of all genres will engage with community members in artmaking consistent with that theme, culminating in a simultaneous presentation and performance on July 27, 2024. This timeline of activities aligns with the national campaign and would provide Baton Rouge with national media recognition as being part of this positive and meaningful movement for arts, a part of healthy living.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 13
BRNP HEALTHCARE & CONSULTANTS, LLC
ABOUT US
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
BRNP Healthcare & Consultants, LLC is at the forefront of holistic wellness, offering specialized services in metabolic weight management, opiate dependence treatment (MAT), medical marijuana consultations, and telehealth visits. Our personalized programs prioritize individual needs, fostering sustainable health outcomes. Through compassionate care and innovative solutions, we empower clients to achieve their wellness goals. With convenient telehealth options, we ensure accessibility to expert care from anywhere. BRNP Healthcare & Consultants, LLC is dedicated to transforming lives through comprehensive, holistic approaches to healthcare.
The collaboration between BRNP Healthcare & Consultants, LLC and BRAHL has expanded outreach to men aged 18 and older. Through this partnership, men have gained access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services and screenings. These include blood pressure screenings and discussions led by a panel of experts covering topics such as cardiovascular health, prostate health, colon health, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, men have been provided with vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza, and even Monkey pox. This collaborative effort demonstrates a commitment to promoting men’s health and well-being through proactive healthcare initiatives and education.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 14
BATON ROUGE BLACK ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL DBA METRO HEALTH
ABOUT US
Metro Health is a disease intervention and youth development community-based organization that implements strategies to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases through education, provides risk reduction counseling and testing, encourages early testing, motivates behavioral changes in persons who exhibit high risk behaviors, increases awareness of preventive services, provides youth intervention services, and when possible, provides direct medical and supportive services or arrange for the provision of such services through referral to appropriate collaborative treatment centers and other partners.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Metro Health collaborated with BRAHL to provide outreach and health education to seniors, youth, and faith-based organizations. We were able to create and implement 8 outreach events where we were able to serve 306 individuals. At these events, we were able to provide information concerning COVID-19 testing and vaccination, medical adherence, speaking with confidence with medical providers, hypertension, and diabetes. Not only were we able to provide participants with the relevant information in the form of presentations and educational material, but we were also able to provide them with relevant tools to monitor their health.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 15
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ABOUT US
Baton Rouge Community College’s Nursing Program is designed to provide excellent nursing education to diverse learners who improve the quality of health care for our multicultural community. The Program of Nursing provides educational opportunities for individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and competencies for nursing practice. The curriculum is based on the Educational Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs of the National League for Nursing. Graduates will receive the associate of science
degree in nursing and are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
BRAHL will collaborate with BRCC’s Nursing and Allied Health Program and other BRCC healthcare partners to provide professional services to promote health literacy and health wellness in vulnerable communities within the target areas. BRCC/BRAHL will design and develop campaigns to promote health literacy among minority populations and will execute planned programs. BRCC/BRAHL will engage various community partners in advancing and supporting health literacy; develop and implement strategies to educate, advocate and support African American patients and their families to better understand their perspectives on health and wellness as well as COVID-19 mitigation.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 16
BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
ABOUT US
Our vision for the Baton Rouge Police Department is to be one with the community, single-minded in purpose, principle, and resolve in advancing public safety. We will continue to be the leader in law enforcement for the Greater Baton Rouge Area.
Baton Rouge Police Department will advance health literacy by targeting vulnerable populations to enhance equitable community response to COVID-19 through outreach, education, testing and vaccination; to collaborate with other BRAHL partners to provide information and referral to various community health- related and other resources; and, to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies in the fulfillment of these activities
ECLECTIC COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL CENTER
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
ABOUT US
Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center provides Diagnostic Assessment which involves the collection of data through the use of tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation, and other techniques to measure development, personality, attitudes, cognitive, social, or emotional functioning/abilities. Assessment data is also used to diagnose disorders, classify disabilities, determine psychological aspects of any particular illness, injury or disability; eligibility determination; and treatment planning.
Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center provides Counseling and Psychotherapy in which are used interchangeably with subtle differences. In practice, Eclectic Cognitive Behavioral Center’s counseling and psychotherapy overlaps, with both involving a therapeutic interaction between a client and a mental health clinician working together to solve issues.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 17
COMPASSION DESIGN
ABOUT US
Ebonie Farlow-Edwards is a dedicated servant leader known for her unwavering professionalism, boundless compassion, and consistent commitment to excellence in her work. As the CEO of Compassion Design, she specializes in an array of fields including Marketing, Branding, Digital Design assets, Social Media Management, and Web Design. Since establishing her business in 2017, Ebonie has cultivated a diverse clientele that includes esteemed political candidates and forward-thinking business owners.
Compassion Design Company’s collaboration with the BRAHL Grant brings a unique difference to the Baton Rouge community. By providing branding and marketing assistance to BRAHL’s partners, Compassion Design helps amplify the visibility and impact of local organizations, initiatives, and causes. Through strategic digital experiences, they empower these entities to reach wider audiences, cultivate community engagement, and drive positive change. This partnership not only enhances the effectiveness of community-driven efforts but also strengthens connections among residents, businesses, and resources within Baton Rouge. Ultimately, Compassion Design’s involvement contributes to a more vibrant, interconnected, and compassionate community fabric in Baton Rouge. SERVING THE COMMUNITY
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 18
ETERNAL CRISIS OUTREACH
ABOUT US
Eternal Crisis Outreach (ECO) has been a non-profit agency since 1995. ECO is a licensed community based facility of the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). ECO is a Behavioral Health Facility that provides intensive outpatient substance abuse and mental health counseling, crisis intervention for children and adults, sixteen bed emergency transitional housing for males, and wrap-around services.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Eternal Crisis Outreach has been a part of the Mayor’s Recast Program and the BRAHL partnership since its inception. ECO has also been a vendor at the Love Heals Clinic at the River Center in March 2023, and on March 17, 2024 at Cleo Fields Leadership Academy.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 19
EVALUATIVE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LLC
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
ABOUT US
Evaluative and Development Services LLC (EDS) offers home- based health literacy for at- risk families. EDS also provides community-wide health literacy workshops.
Evaluative and Development Services LLC (EDS) provides health literacy workshops at community churches in North Baton Rouge. EDS also conducts a health fair composed of all participating churches and medical professionals.
JUDGE FREDDIE PITCHER, LLC
ABOUT US
Judge Freddie Pitcher Jr . made history in Baton Rouge by becoming the first African American to be elected to judgeships at three different levels of the court system.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
C
Empowerment: Empowering young men of color who come from underprivileged and underserved communities to pursue education, leadership roles, and their own dreams. Hope and Resilience: Instilling a sense of hope and resilience, fostering a belief in their potential to overcome adversity. Strengthening the community: Strengthening the local community by helping to develop and build a new cadre of leaders who will go on to inspire other youngsters like themselves to be the best that they can be. Education: To teach/educate through the sharing of lessons and principles that have guided the author of
familyr
Breaking Barriers: A view from the bench in his career and life. Literacy Promotion: To promote literacy and a love for reading by encouraging attendees to engage with the memoir and other relevant literature. Inspiration: To inspire – but particularly young men of color – by sharing the presenter’s personal journey, emphasizing the importance of determination, education, positive self-esteem, perseverance, and healthy living.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 20
FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC.
ABOUT US
Family Resource Group Inc. is a publishing company, offering titles such as Baton Rouge Parents Magazine, NOLA Family, Colorado Parent, Birmingham Parent, FiDi Family, and multiple ancillary publications. As a source of reliable information for families for more than 33 years and offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Denver, Birmingham, and Manhattan, Family Resource Group’s publications are some of the most-decorated publications.
SPECIAL COLORING CONTEST
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
WHAT? FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP FOUNDATION AND KID SCOOP NEWS , ALONG WITH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND BATON ROUGE ADVANCING HEALTH LITERACY, ARE HOSTING A COLORING CONTEST. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? ANY CHILD IN 1ST-5TH GRADE. WHEN? ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BEGINNING SATURDAY, APRIL 1 AND ENDING WEDNESDAY, MAY 31. HOW? COLOR THIS PAGE AND SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE.
Family Resource Group Foundation published Kid Scoop News , which included editorial content, design work, and interactive content geared toward young readers in order to help advance health literacy, particularly around COVID-19 and nutritional health topics. One thousand copies of Kid Scoop News were distributed each month (September 2022-June 2023) to select sites, including healthcare centers, community centers, and community health fair events within Baton Rouge. With a pass-along readership estimated at 4.2 individuals per copy, approximately 50,000 individuals benefited from the informational content in each issue. Beginning in March, we increased the number of monthly copies distributed by 16,000 to include EBRPHA residents. (March 2023 - June 2023). We also launched a Coloring Contest in April for our area first through fifth graders, utilizing our award-winning COVID-19 coloring pages with up to 7,751 unique views of the healthy pages. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome presented 15 East Baton Rouge first through fifth grade winners of the contest their certificates. Along with the partnership, we customized a Final Report Publication outlining the BRAHL program participants, events, and outcomes.
SCAN TO ENTER
COLOR ME FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
© Vicki Whiting April 2023
familyresourcegroupinc.com
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 21
G.R.O.W.T.H. SERVICES OF LOUISIANA
ABOUT US
G.R.O.W.T.H. was designed to ensure that high quality education and career opportunities are available to students and families across the nation.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
• Improve and increase understanding of basic health information in order to make appropriate health decisions. • Build Self-Advocacy to simplify communication and confirm comprehension to minimize miscommunication. • Teach Analyzation of information/Build Math Skills and Decoding (breaking complex information into smaller understandable chunks–symbols, charts, and diagrams). • Helps to increase understanding of risks • Allows for increased measurements of medication, and helps to understand nutritional labels. • Learn to weigh risks and benefits of health • Learn about family of origin and generational influences • Unlock creativity and awareness through self-examination • Self-reflection and awareness
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 22
GIVE 365 BR
ABOUT US
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
GIVE 365 BR is a 501(c)3 Community Charity that bridges the gap between social and health inequities, by providing clients in need with everyday essential items, while exhibiting the willingness and compassion to embrace others life circumstances. Along with our mission, our focus and ultimate goal is to help elicit healthier lifestyles to the clients that we serve, with providing our health education sessions and placing a great focus on food insecurities. We are currently serving the East Baton Rouge Parish and some of the surrounding areas
GIVE 365 BR had the pleasure of hosting and participating in Health and Wellness Events that highlighted the “Management of Hypertension and Heart Health.” During this time, GIVE 365 BR facilitated Heart Health Education Session, by two Registered Nurses, to the community participants. The participants were also given blood pressure monitors, personal hygiene items, thermometers, socks, Heart Health literature information, and more. Participants were also able to visit the AmeriHealth Caritas Mobile Wellness Unit and learn more regarding the management of diabetes, which was facilitated by a diabetic health educator.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 23
IMPACT NURSE CONSULTING
ABOUT US
We partner with healthcare organizations, government agencies, and corporations to help them better understand, strategize, and implement innovative solutions that address the needs of their consumers.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
The Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic was held on February 17, 2024 and provided immediate access to critical medical, dental, and vision services, while ensuring connection to long-term resources to address critical health needs of the citizens of East Baton Rouge. Six hundred and eighty-six patients were served with free vision, dental, and medical services. Cost estimation of services provided based on national average cost of services rendered are approximately: Vision exams–$33,800; prescription eyeglasses–$16,900; Medical–$33,700; Dental Cleaning–$ 28,600; Dental Procedure–$109,550; and prescription medications–$9,500 for a total estimation of $231,050 of free services provided to patients. In terms of labor hours, during the 14 hour Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic, we did the approximate labor hours based on national average of patients seen daily by service: Medical labor hours–45; Dental labor hours–243; Vision labor hours–112; Total approximate labor hours of 400 were completed in a 14 hour day, which was the length of the Baton Rouge Love Heals Free Clinic.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 24
INTERFAITH FEDERATION OF GREATER BATON ROUGE
ABOUT US
Begun in 1987, the Holy Grill program of the Interfaith Federation feeds the hungry as well as promotes healthy lifestyles and peace. Through partnerships with local congregations, restaurants, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and other donors, we provide hot meals for our guests five days a week.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Through BRAHL , Holy Grill participants had access to a broad number of activities and services related to health and good nutrition. In the first months of the year, we held events in partnership with Southern University Ag Extension, LSU Ag, Ochsner Health, American Heart Association, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and many others. More than 100 of our regular clients received health screenings, recipes for low-cost nutritious meals, assistance with SNAP signups, and many more resources.
BRAHL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 25
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator