Community Health Connections
October 2020 - Vol.1, Issue 2
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Greetings from 1889 Jefferson Center
for Population Health
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HUB Community Health Workers have been working with participants over the past several weeks, making connections to existing community resources to reduce their medical, behavioral and social barriers to care and improve their health. Learn more about the work that CHWs do and meet Christy, one of the six CHWs working with at-risk individuals in our Cambria and Somerset counties.
We were grateful to assist with coordinating a recent virtual workshop with community partners, as part of the “Local Foods, Local Places” initiative. As we continue to grow, we are also thrilled to introduce two new staff members, Kimberly Roberts and Richele Bush.
As always, if you’d like to learn more, please contact us at 814-535-5156 or email us. We hope you and your families are healthy and enjoying all that fall has to offer in our region!
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Johnstown Greenway River Trail (Johnstown, PA) |
Jeannine McMillan
Executive Director
Community Care HUB
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Community Health Workers
Remove Barriers to Care
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Community Health Workers (CHW) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery [...] To learn more about the impact of CHWs, visit the National Association of CHWs website.
As of January 9, 2020, Community Health Worker Certification based on experience is now available in Pennsylvania through the PA Certification Board. Community Care HUB CHWs are employed by local Care Coordination Agencies who partner with the HUB and support the HUB network.
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Meet Christy Berzonski,
HUB Community Health Worker
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Every month, we’ll be featuring an interview with a different HUB Community Health Worker (CHW). Check out this month’s spotlight with Somerset County native Christy Berzonski, employed by HUB care coordination agency Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy.
"I am excited to make an impact and empower these women. I love that we aren't telling them what to do but listening to them and putting them in charge of their own life plan. We are just there to give them the tools to accomplish the things they want."
- Christy Berzonski, Community Care HUB CHW
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Meet New Members of our Team
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Kimberly Roberts, Quality Assurance |
Kimberly is a Somerset County native and graduate of Conemaugh Township high school. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master's in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Kimberly’s career includes work in psychiatric residential treatment, workforce development, and community and facility healthcare. She is passionate about advocating for Women’s Rights and animal rescue/adoption. She is delighted to help impact the health of women in Cambria & Somerset counties. |
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Richele Bush, Referral Coordinator |
Richele holds a B.A. degree in Criminology Pre-Law. She began her career as a Direct Support Professional and then worked as a Case Manager. Through her professional roles, she gained experience working with individuals and families as an agent of support and guidance. Her professional life includes a commitment to serving the needs of individuals and families and ensuring they are connected to resources within their community. |
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Local Foods, Local Places Workshop
Fosters Regional Collaboration
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As part of Johnstown's Vision Together 2025 initiative, the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health and several other community partners planned and participated in the Local Foods, Local Places workshop that took place October 1-2, 2020. This opportunity was made possible through the Local Foods, Local Places Technical Assistance program facilitated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and project partners.
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Staff News and Highlights
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CAPCC Community Service Award |
Community Action Partnership of Cambria County (CAPCC) held its 55th Annual Awards event virtually on September 17, 2020. This year, 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health staff Jeannine McMillan (Executive Director, Community Care HUB) and Leanna Bird (Project Manager) were honored to be the recipients of the Anthony Genovese Community Service Award.
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National CHW Instructor Training |
Kimberly Roberts, Quality Assurance, is training to become a Certified Community Health Worker Instructor through the Pathways Community HUB Institute. The training program focuses on understanding and demonstrating CHW core competencies in health, community resources, care coordination, advocacy, health education, lifespan development, and more. As part of the training, Kimberly is also working with three CHW practicum students.
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National Association Policy Committee |
Leanna Bird, Project Manager, has been selected to be a member of the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) Policy Committee as a Community Health Worker (CHW) Ally. NACHW is a national professional organization whose mission is to unify the voices of community health workers and strengthen the profession’s capacity to promote healthy communities.
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Voter Registration Deadline: Oct. 19th
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Don't forget - Election Day is Nov.3rd!
If you haven't yet, you have 4 ways to register to vote:
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We hope that you will continue to follow 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health updates in the future. To unsubscribe, please email us or click 'unsubscribe' below. |
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