All Care Health Center Receives HRSA Grant to Expand Behavioral Health Services

Council Bluffs, IA — All Care Health Center is thrilled to announce the award of a Behavioral Health Expansion Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This significant funding will enable All Care to enhance its Behavioral Health services by expanding its team and improving patient care.

All Care was selected as one of just 400 recipients out of 800 applicants nationwide, including seven organizations in Iowa and one in Nebraska. With this grant, All Care will add three new therapists to its team, including a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, and create additional roles to better support patients’ behavioral health and social needs.

Commenting on the grant, All Care Health Center CEO Joel Dougherty said, “This award, and HRSA’s trust in All Care, reflects the outstanding work being done by our team and highlights the strength of our Behavioral Health program. Our dedicated staff is truly making a difference in the lives of our patients."

The funding will significantly boost All Care’s ability to provide a fully integrated continuum of care for patients dealing with behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, and those requiring Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for recovery. All Care’s integrated care model ensures that patients receive coordinated treatment between behavioral health providers and primary care teams, addressing the full scope of their health needs.

In addition to one-on-one therapy, patients will benefit from intensive case management, peer recovery support, and access to inpatient and residential services through All Care’s collaborative network. Each patient will also undergo an evaluation for social determinants of health, ensuring that any barriers to care are identified and addressed through community resources.

This HRSA grant positions All Care Health Center to further its mission of delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care to the community, with a particular focus on behavioral health and substance use treatment.

Binational Health Fair

All Care Health Center is excited to offer the community a growing Binational Health Fair. Over 30 local and regional community organizations will come together to present the free event promoting health and wellness for Latino individuals and families. The event will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM at All Care Health Center, located at 902 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA.

The Binational Health Fair is part of the nationwide Binational Health Week, one of the largest initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of Latinos. The fair offers essential health services and information, helping to break down cultural and language barriers. Attendees will have access to various free health screenings, including checks for blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol, flu shots, stroke assessments, clinical breast exams, behavioral health support, nutrition advice, and preventive care resources. The event even features an on-site food pantry. By bringing together healthcare professionals, educators, and advocates, the fair ensures that everyone has access to the resources needed to lead healthier lives.

The event will also feature numerous giveaways and opportunities to win prizes. Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist attendees, creating a welcoming and informative environment for all. Special thanks go to the Human Services Advisory Council and Radio Lobo for sponsoring this year’s Binational Health Fair.

All Care Health Center is proud to announce that Chief Operating Officer Gina Klein was one of seven area health center employees to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Invested Leadership: Executive Development Program. This prestigious program, designed to enhance leadership skills within the healthcare industry, provided participants with the knowledge and tools necessary for executive success over five months.

The program focused on developing a deep understanding of the roles and responsibilities of leadership, setting clear expectations, and fostering the growth of staff members into future leadership positions. Participants gained valuable insight into building high-functioning teams and leading their health centers and business units more effectively.

Klein and her fellow participants celebrated at a graduation ceremony held during the Nebraska Community Health Conference on September 19 at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker in Lincoln, Nebraska.

"We are incredibly proud of Gina's dedication and leadership," said All Care Health Center CEO Joel Dougherty. "Her commitment to continuous improvement and staff development will greatly benefit our organization as we strive to provide exceptional care to our community."

Cold and flu season is here, and it's time to protect yourself and your loved ones. This year, flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all concerns, but vaccines can help! Here’s how to stay safe:

1. Get Your Flu Shot



The flu vaccine is updated yearly to target the most common strains. It’s recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Getting vaccinated helps protect you and those you care about.

All Care offers vaccine clinics Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-4pm

2. Get the New COVID-19 Booster

COVID-19 is still around, and new variants are spreading. The latest COVID booster is designed to protect you against the most recent strains. Even if you've had a previous booster, this new shot will help keep your immunity strong. Staying up-to-date is important, especially if you're older or have a health condition that puts you at higher risk.

3. Consider the RSV Vaccine



The RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is available for certain high-risk groups. It’s recommended for:

• Adults 60 and older
• Pregnant people during their third trimester to help protect newborns.
• Infants younger than eight months or certain babies up to 19 months with specific health conditions.

Talk to your doctor if you or a loved one might benefit from the RSV vaccine.

4. Practice Good Hygiene

Wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when coughing, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. These simple habits, along with vaccines, can help keep you healthy.

5. Stay Home When You're Sick

If you feel sick, staying home, resting, and avoiding spreading germs are important.

By getting your vaccines and practicing good hygiene, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe this season.

For more info, visit www.allcarehealthcenter.org or call (712)325-1990 to schedule your vaccine.

Jazmine, an All Care Health Navigator, recently shared this story: 

"When I met *Andrew, I could tell that he was a very kind and funny man, but he was clearly weighed down by his health issues. At the time, we were concerned about a growth in a lymph node that did end up being cancerous. During our first meetings, Andrew was extremely concerned about the bills for the testing and hospital stay, so much so that he decided that he wasn't going to go to the testing at all. At this point, I had already looked at his coverage and found that he did have Medicare and Medicaid, but it was SLM-B and didn't cover [as much as he needed it to]. During the research and paperwork process I did find out that we could try for full Medicaid through an Elderly Waiver, and so that's exactly what we started to do. Once we started with the Elderly Waiver, it took about three weeks before someone came to see Andrew and make an assessment. After that, it seemed that he was quickly approved for Medicaid. I called Andrew with the good news, and we could hardly believe it! He had decided to start going to treatment and continue with doctor visits, but he felt so much better knowing that he could be covered."

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy.

Jazmine, placed with All Care through a partnership with Main Street Health, serves as a Health Navigator, offering patients extra guidance in their healthcare journey. Her role ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time, helping them navigate the often-complicated healthcare system with compassion and expertise.

Jazmine's story illustrates the vital, wrap-around services that All Care's Access Services Team provides, enhancing the affordable medical, dental, mental health, and pharmacy care our patients rely on. Beyond helping individuals apply for health insurance, this dedicated team assists with sliding fee scale applications and other programs to make healthcare more accessible. Their work extends into assisting patients in securing food, housing, transportation, and emergency assistance, ensuring that patients are fully supported in all aspects of their well-being.

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