|
Coming Soon!
The annual "Access to Care" report release event is being planned for fall - more details to come soon. |
|
Thank YOU!!
Thank you to the 100+ individuals who participated in the Community Health Forum and pre-Forum discussion groups! We look foward to sharing what we've heard with you in the next edition of Healthcare Happenings. | |
The RHC is a collaborative effort of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, the state of Missouri, health providers, and community members to improve the health of uninsured and underinsured citizens in St. Louis City and County.
The monthly Healthcare Happenings newsletter is our way of keeping you informed on our progress in these efforts. Thank you for taking time to read this newsletter, more importantly, thank you for your committment to improving the health of those in our community with limited access to healthcare services. |
|
RHC Progress Report
August has been another busy month for the Regional Health Commission. Here is a brief synopsis of what has taken place throughout the month. More detailed information on two of those initiatives is highlighted in this edition of Healthcare Happenings.
The Commission met on August 19, 2009. Commissioners received an update on Community Relations/Communications activities including the Community Health Forum scheduled for August 25, approved the 2009 Access to Care Report to the Community for release in October, and approved Focus Area #1 recommendations from the Access to Behavioral Health Task Force.
The Commission also received updates including the St. Louis Community/University Health Research Program, IHN activities including progress on the NMPI, and safety net funding for FY 09 and beyond. The Commission also discussed its process for Fall FY 09 allocation of funds from the "St. Louis Safety Net Funding Pool". If you would like to receive a full copy of the August status report please contact:
|
RHC Opens New Avenues for Community Interaction
 The St. Louis Regional Health Commission is constantly looking for new strategies for engaging with the St. Louis community around the topic of health and healthcare in the region.
Recent efforts have included hosting pre-forum focus groups with the following partner organizations:
- NAMI
- Crider Center's Harmony Clubhouse
- Isaiah 58 Ministries
- Crider Center's Headway Clubhouse
- YWCA Metro St. Louis - Transitional Housing Program
The newest addition to our communication toolbox has been via the interntet; the RHC is now on Facebook!
For those of you who are already on Facebook, please stop by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission page; leave a comment, post a discussion, even consider becoming a fan. We look forward to your comments and suggestions as we spread the word about the role and work of the RHC and open new avenues for dialogue and discussion.
For additional information please visit:
|
|
Defining RESPECT 
How do you define respect? Is it possible to develop standards of respect to govern our interactions as a region? These are questions that the Reducing Stigma/Increasing Cultural Competence Team of the RHC's Eastern Region Behavioral Health Initiative grappled with throughout Phase II of the initiative. In response to these questions, the team developed the following Guiding Principles of RESPECT to govern interactions toward patients and consumers that have now been adapted by several organizations throughout the region, including unanimous approval the St. Louis Regional Health Commission.
Guiding Principles of RESPECT for healthcare providers of the Eastern Region:
Respect is the foundation of all of our behaviors, attitudes and interactions. We acknowledge that all individuals have dignity and worth and we strive to respect others through our policies, behaviors and attitudes.
The healthcare providers of the Eastern Region are committed to the following guiding principles of respect:
- At all times, treat each individual who enters our facilities with dignity and respect
- Work to identify and eliminate disparity in the outcomes of the populations that we serve
- Work to foster a reciprocal environment of mutual respect for consumers, providers and family members
- Ensure that service environments are welcoming and comfortable for all we serve
- Develop and adhere to a process through which to correct any policy, behavior or procedure that is found to diminish the dignity and worth of another
- Encourage that staff demographics reflect the populations that we serve
- Recruit, train, reward and promote those individuals who practice and lead in implementation of these principles
- Ensure that each staff periodically participate in training/education around stigma and cultural competence that align with the Guiding Principles of the Eastern Region
- Develop and adhere to a process by which to measure improvement/progress in the provision of non-stigmatizing, culturally competent care
- Develop an internal policy to promote respect within each organization
The Eastern Region healthcare community believes that the above guiding principles are integral to the promotion of culturally competent and non-stigmatizing behavior.
If you are interested in learning more about these efforts or in receiving an electornic version of this document, please visit our website ( www.stlrhc.org) or contact:
Riisa Rawlins, MSW
Director, Community Relations
St. Louis Regional Health Commission
(314)446-6454 x1102
|
NAMI St. Louis and RHC partner to enhance RESPECT
Congratulations to Jacqueline Lukitsch, Executive Director of NAMI who was recently awarded the 2009 NAMI national award for outstanding work towards strengthening NAMI's committment to multi-cultural outreach! We are fortunate to have first-hand knowledge of Ms. Lukitsch's dedication and commitment to ensuring a respectful environment for all.
Under the leadership of Jackie Lukitsch (Executive Director, NAMI St. Louis) and Dr. Amanda Murphy (President and CEO of Hopewell Center) the Reducing Stigma/Increasing Cultural Competence team of the RHC's Eastern Region Behavioral Health Initiative spearheded efforts with the goal of reducing stigma about individuals with behavioral health needs and increasing ability to provide culturally competent care. Successes of the Reducing Stigma/Increasing Cultural Competence efforts include:
- Provided evidence based training on reducing stigma and increasing cultural competency to 154 individuals (23 individuals in April pilot, 53 individuals in the June training, 28 individuals in the August training, and 50 individuals in the October training session)
- Developed Guiding Principle of Respect that serve as a template for healthcare organizations throughout the region to discuss and develop environments, practices and policies that promote culturally competent and non-stigmatizing behavior
- These guiding principles were unanimously approved by the Eastern Region Behavioral Health Initiative Steering Committee and by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission
- Several agencies across the region have adopted and implemented the guiding principles and have amended office environments and policies to be more welcoming
Served as catalyst for the development of the Annual RESPECT Award to be awarded by NAMI St. Louis based on nominations from individuals who utilize behavioral health services in the Eastern Region
Recipients of NAMI St. Louis' first RESPECT Awards "to honor those who demonstrate the highest level of respect for people in treatment for mental illness" are:
Places for People - local mental health agency
Janet Gianino - local mental health professional
Congratulations for a job well done! | |
|
|
|
Your dedication and continued support are what make these efforts possible. We look forward to continued partnership with you in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
|
Robert Fruend
Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Regional Health Commission |
|
|
