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Grant-writing training program for health centers begins
The Health Authority and Michigan Primary Care Association are co-sponsoring a grant-writing training program to prepare for submitting federal grants for new community health centers. The first session occurred on Aug. 26. Subsequent sessions will take place through September. Topics include overviews of the grant application, statistical information needed, business plan and budget, how to put it all together, and a summary of topics.
The federal government is releasing $250 million in federal grants to build clinics and bolster services at existing clinics for low-income patients such as public housing residents, the homeless, seasonal farm workers and others who struggle to pay for care. The administration announced last week that the nation's 1,100 health centers, which operate nearly 8,000 facilities in medically underserved areas, can apply for the grants through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grants represent the first release of funding for health centers under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed in March, and will allow health centers to build 350 clinics in 2011, add to the services they provide and update to technology such as electronic medical records. Deadlines for the applications are in two phases: Nov. 17, Phase One; and Dec. 15, Phase Two. For more information contact Elizabeth Longley at 313-871-3751. |
2010 Walk looks to building a healthy community, beginning with childhood obesity
For the third year, Walk for Healthy Communities has grown in terms of participants and scope of activities. This year's event on Aug. 7 at the Belle Isle Casino, launched National Health Center Week with a pitch for healthy communities, beginning with a childhood obesity initiative.
Nearly 400 individuals and organizational teams walked one-mile and three-mile courses. More than 20 organizations, including Eastern Market, added a festival air to the event. Chef Michael Geiger of Eastern Market provided a cooking demonstration for grilled marinated chicken breasts with black bean and grilled corn salad w/citrus vinaigrette and seasonal grilled vegetables. (For a recipe call 313-871-3751.) New this year was the Iron Man obstacle course for kids and the Four Star Health Plan misting station to cool off walkers.
Chris Allen, Executive Director and CEO of the Health Authority, announced the Best of the Safety Net Awards. The awards are nominated by safety net organizations and presented to individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the health care safety net. The 2010 awardees are Jesse Thomas, President of Molina Healthcare of Michigan; Henry Ford Health System Health Partners Program; Louis Mahoney, founder of the Malta Medical/Dental Clinic at St. Leo's Church, Detroit; and Betty Dornbrook, MSN, RN, Waller Health Center.
Also at the Walk, the Health Authority announced a childhood obesity prevention initiative, which will convene health and human service agencies throughout the region that have, or are planning, childhood obesity prevention and management programs.
Fifth Third Bank presented a $10,000 donation as the lead gift in launching a health program series on Detroit Public Television, presented by the Health Authority. The Health Authority also received a $2,000 donation from Pro Care Health Plan to support the "Access for all...Health Care Fund."
The lead sponsor for the Walk was Fifth Third Bank. Other Walk sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Great Lakes Health Plan, Neighborhood Service Organization, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Henry Ford Health System, Oakwood Healthcare, Metro Solutions, Wayne County Medical Society, MichUHCAN, Detroit Community Health Connection, The Wellness Plan, CHASS, Advantage Health Centers, Health Centers Detroit, Inc., Western Wayne Family Health Center, and Covenant Community Care. |
Kresge announces plans to fund Wayne Children's Healthcare Access Program
The Kresge Foundation on Aug. 18 announced a two-year grant to fund a pilot developed by the Wayne Children's Healthcare Access Program (WCHAC). WCHAP is committed to helping establish a medical home for all children in Wayne County, promoting wellness and preventing inappropriate use of emergency services for primary pediatric care.
The Health Authority serves as a strategic partner for this program that promises to have a significant impact on improving access to health care for young people. WCHAP offers stakeholders in the health care safety net an opportunity to deepen their understanding of and coordination with pediatric services. "We are fully aware that the medical home model improves health outcomes and provides a return on investment by all levels of the health system and funders of those services," noted Chris Allen, Executive Director and CEO of the Health Authority. |
Community health center week gets plug on local radio stations
Walk for Healthy Communities is held to launch National Community Health Center Week. To help draw attention to the quality and accessibility of community health centers in Southeast Michigan, the Health Authority sponsored public service announcements on WCHB, KISS-FM, and Mason Radio, and on their websites. In addition, Chris Allen and three executive directors of community health centers were interviewed on the radio stations. In addition, Health Authority community outreach workers distributed information cards about community health centers to various community groups. |
'Deadliest Disease' Report: Movie, workshops increase awareness of disparities
"The Deadliest Disease in America," film produced by URU, The Right To Be, Inc. and shown at Plymouth Congregational Church on June 19, provided Detroit residents a thought-provoking perspective on how racism and health disparities compromise health status for minorities. Accompanying workshops helped participants begin to develop strategies for eliminating the disparities.
According to the final report by URU, "the commitment for change was definitely felt by the participants. ... Each of the workshops were brimming with eager participants ready to engage in dialogue and action about a topic that is on the forefront of many minds." Some of the key points discussed in the workshops were participants' experiences with disparities in care and what participants could do to create change. Representatives from the Health Authority, MOSES, and MichUHCAN participated in the discussions facilitated by URU staff.
The goal of the program, co-sponsored by the Health Authority and Plymouth Congregational Church, were to expose dimensions of racism in the health care system, conduct participatory workshops to explore diverse topics relating to overcoming racism in health care, educate a new group of community leaders and medical professionals, build collaborative leadership within the community, promote public accountability at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels of society for systemic change to overcome racism, reduce racially and culturally insensitive barriers to health care access, and promote policy changes to the delivery system to provide equal care to all persons regardless of race and ethnicity. |
'Heart' of health reform needs to be felt and heard
As a year ago, when opposition to health reform rose in the public - largely through conservative news and talk show commentaries, 'tea party' initiatives, and general misinformation - public misunderstand and opposition to health reform is growing. In fact, many people still don't know that health care reform was passed, much less what it means and the work that remains to be done in administering its regulations.
Faithful Reform in Health Care, a national faith-based organization that promotes health reform, has issued an advisory calling on proponents of health reform to continue their advocacy, particularly through a "moral imperative" that should underscore the importance of ensuring health care for all.
"One task of faith communities in the days ahead is to tell the story about 'The Heart in Health Care Reform,' notes Rev. Linda Hanna Walling, executive director of Faithful Reform in Health Care. "We've heard about this issue from politicians embroiled in partisan gridlock. And we've heard the opinions of cable news talking heads. Now it's our turn to communicate a very different message. It's time to talk about what health care reform means from the perspective of the faith values that shape how we live our lives together."
On Sep. 23, organizations throughout the country will be sponsoring informational events to commemorate the six month anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act. Recent polls show that many people lack details about the legislation and believe the negative spin on health reform. Health care reform, though not what many had hoped it would be, offers the best chance of implementing a health system that ensures health coverage for nearly everyone.
Faithful Reform is also looking for positive stories about how health reform is already beginning to help people. For more information on "The Heart in Health Care Reform" campaign or to send testimonials on the benefit of health reform, go to www.faithfulreform.org. |
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The Detroit Wayne County Health Authority's mission is to coordinate efforts to meet the health needs of the uninsured and underinsured residents in Detroit and Wayne County by assuring access and improving the health status of all people.
"It's about access for all." |
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