Community Partner Newsletter Volume 4
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Table of Contents: Community Transition Program�����������1 Mpox������������������������������������������������������1 Lead Poisoning�������������������������������������2 COVID-19 Updates��������������������������������3 Affordable Connectivity Program�������3 MyDSS App�������������������������������������������4 Cooking Matters�����������������������������������5 Sugar Rush ������������������������������������������6
Volume 4
Community Transition Program Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT), on behalf of the HUSKY Health program, has established the Community Transition Program (CTP) to assist HUSKY Health members with a successful transition back into their communities after their release from prison.
Community Transition Program
Mpox The HUSKY Health program is committed to sharing the latest information on mpox and what can be done to remain safe. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)at: cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox. Vaccinations for qualified individuals are available at mobile clinics – no appointment necessary. The most up-to-date list of clinic locations can be found here: https://portal. ct.gov/DPH/Epidemiology-and-Emerging- Infections/CT-Mpox/Mpox-Vaccination
Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® and the HUSKY Health Program have implemented a program that can help HUSKY Health members seeking re - entry support! Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® and the HUSKY Health Program have implemented a program that can help HUSKY Health members seeking re-entry support! The Community Transition Program (CTP) connects HUSKY Health members to a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) who will help with: • Benefit education • Employment/education resources • Finding a primary care provider (PCP) and help scheduling the first appointment • Referrals to community resources and Intensive Care Management(ICM) for complex medical needs • Getting a HUSKY Health mobile phone • Connections to 2-1-1 for temporary shelter services and permanent housing The Community Transition Program (CTP) connects HUSKY Health members to a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) who will help with: • Benefit education • Employment/education resources • Finding a primary care provider (PCP) and help scheduling the first appointment • Referrals to community resources and Intensive Care Management (ICM) for complex medical needs • Getting a HUSKY Health mobile phone • Connections to 2-1-1 for temporary shelter services and permanent housing If you are a HUSKY Health member looking for reentry support, call and speak with a Community Health Worker at 1.800.859.9889 ext. 7878, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We are here to help you! If you are a HUSKY Health member looking for reentry support, call and speak with a Community Health Worker at 1.800.859.9889 ext. 7878, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We are here to help you!
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 1 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
Lead Poisoning Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause negative health side effects. Individuals are exposed to lead by ingesting lead paint chips, polluted food or water, or by simply breathing in lead dust. Children under the age of six are more susceptible to being exposed by putting lead-contaminated objects in their mouths. Children who have been exposed to lead can have developmental delays, difficulty learning, behavioral issues, and neurological damage. 1
The best way to avoid lead poisoning is through prevention. Lead can be found anywhere in a child’s environment, especially in: 1 • Homes built before 1978, due to lead-based paints that were used • Certain water pipes • Some toys and jewelry • Candies or traditional home remedies • Certain jobs or hobbies that may involve working with lead-based products • Homes near airports, where children may be exposed to lead in air and soil from aviation gas
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If your home was built before 1978, it should be inspected by a licensed lead inspector. Before starting any home renovations, the home should be inspected for lead. Sanding or scraping lead during these home projects can spread lead dust, making it dangerous for children. Observe the house for any cracks/chips or peels and be sure to seal them with contact paper or duct tape. 1 A child’s pediatrician can do a blood test to determine if the child has been exposed to lead. 1 Any child in Connecticut who has a blood lead level of 3.5 micrograms or greater will be reported to the state and local health departments. Parents will be notified of the elevated blood lead levels and provided education on how to prevent lead exposure. It is important to remember that lead poisoning is 100% preventable. 2,3
For more information, please visit the CDC’s website and the Connecticut Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program website.
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 2 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
COVID-19 Updates As we have already seen an uptick of colds, flu, and COVID-19 cases this winter, it is important to remember that there are actions we can take to prevent the spread of these and other respiratory illnesses this season. The best ways are to: 4 • Stay home if you are sick, except to seek medical care. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. • Cover your cough or sneeze. • Avoid contact with people who may be sick. • Clean and disinfect highly touched surfaces or objects. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Wear a face covering, especially if you are feeling unwell. • Stay up-to-date on your vaccinations.
For more information, please visit the CDC’s website.
• Everyone over the age of six months is eligible to receive a flu and COVID-19 vaccine. 4 As of September 2022, the new COVID-19 bivalent boosters are available for everyone five years and older. 5 You may be eligible for a bivalent booster if you 1) completed your primary series of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson vaccinations, and 2) it has been at least two months since your last booster. The bivalent vaccine is approved for both Pfizer (five years and older) and Moderna (18 years and older). 5 For more information on staying up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the CDC’s website. Affordable Connectivity Program - $30/Month Discount for Internet Service; All SNAP & Medicaid Members Eligible
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new, FCC long-term benefit program that helps lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford the internet service they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. Experts estimate that nearly 40% of U.S. households can qualify. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides: • Up to $30/month discount for broadband service • Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer purchased through a participating provider (with a co-payment of more than $10, but less than $50 toward the purchase price).
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 3 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Enrollees in SNAP, Medicaid (HUSKY A, C, and D), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Free and Reduced-Price School Breakfast/Lunch, certain Tribal assistance programs, and several other services are automatically eligible as well.
Eligible households must apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan. More than 1,300 internet service providers participate in the program.
The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
For more information or to apply, members can visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Communications/Affordable-Connectivity-Program
MyDSS App The Department of Social Services (DSS) has created a new mobile app called MyDSS , to help clients access benefit information and interact with DSS anytime, anywhere, on any device. With multiple self-service options, it is designed to cut back on the need to make
phone calls to the Benefits Center, or in-person trips to an office to access benefit status and other information. The MyDSS app can be used to: • Renew DSS benefits • Report changes required for continuing or expanding benefits • Upload pictures of verification documents • View and download proof of benefits • Open copies of notices
Scan to Create Account or Login
To install the app, users must create or have an existing MyAccount with DSS. Please visit https://www.mydss.ct.gov/dmg/#home for instructions.
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 4 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
Cooking Matters® Stretching Your Food Budget
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Soup is a great choice for a meal that warms the body, fills the family up on nutrient dense foods, and makes use of any old/wilting produce in the fridge. Many ingredients commonly used in soups, like carrots, garlic, and onions, are in season in Connecticut through early winter, so they can still be bought fresh while being budget friendly. Using canned or frozen produce works just as well. All the ingredients are cost-effective because they can be used in so many different types of recipes such as casseroles, pasta dishes, salads, stir-fry, and chili. This is an important consideration for many people faced with choosing which groceries to buy right now, as food prices have increased. This soup recipe calls for apples, which are versatile and in season locally into the winter months. One serving of this Black Bean & Vegetable Soup is low in fat and contains about 40% of the fiber recommended for a whole day.
The water and sodium from the broth help us meet our water goals to stay hydrated, which people often forget about in the colder weather months. Vegetables also provide water and potassium, another important electrolyte affecting hydration and other body functions. For ideas on how to use leftover ingredients, avoid wasting food, and other budget-friendly hacks, visit https://cookingmatters.org/tips/#budget-hacks. Type any of these foods into the Recipe Finder search bar on the Cooking Matters website to find several other dishes where they can be used in entirely different ways to avoid repetition. Add or substitute any other type of vegetables, beans, or broth to suit your taste preferences and use what is already in your pantry.
For the Black Bean & Vegetable Soup recipe, click here.
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 5 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
Sugar Rush CHNCT’s Sugar Rush exhibit has added some new visual props to demonstrate how much sugar is in various food and drinks, and what it does to the body when consumed in excess. One of the most eye-catching is the Fizz to Fat prop. The Fizz to Fat prop depicts a typical 20-ounce bottle of soda containing 250 calories from added sugar. The bottle is being poured into a plastic cup. However, in the cup we do not see soda, but rather a yellow blob that represents body fat. The accompanying informational tent card explains
To book a virtual or in-person Sugar Rush presentation, or request a table exhibit at a community event, please contact Kellie Gilbert at 203.303.3932 or kgilbert@chnct.org.
that Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) are the largest source of added sugars in our diet, and drinking empty calories is an easy way to consume more calories than our body needs, thus leading to unhealthy weight gain in the form of excess body fat. 6 We also teach the math formula that 3,500 calories equal one pound. Replacing one 20-ounce/250 calorie soda a day with water or another sugar-free, calorie-free drink, eliminates 3,500 calories from the diet in two weeks. (250 calories x 14 days = 3,500 calories).
CHWs Needed CHNCT is looking for full-time, bilingual (Spanish or Portuguese) Community Health Workers who live in any of the following cities: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Windham, and the Norwalk/Stamford region. This entry-level position is responsible for connecting HUSKY Health members to providers, and providing social support, community-based outreach, health promotion, and referrals to services. For more information and to apply, please visit our Career Center at https://www.chnct.org/ careers.html.
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 6 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022. Overview of Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/overview.html 2. Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH), 2022. Lead Information for Parents. Retrieved from: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/For-Parents 3. Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH), 2022. Local Health Management of Lead Poisoning Cases. Retrieved from: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and- Control/For-Local-Health-Departments-2 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022. How to Protect Yourself and Others. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022. Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to- date.html 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022. Get the Facts: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Consumption. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages- intake.html
HUSKY Health Community Partner Newsletter Page 7 Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. ® (CHNCT) is the State of Connecticut’s Medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health program.
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