IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU CANNOT MISS!

Medi-Cal helps you and your family stay healthy. Even if you’ve been denied full Medi-Cal recently, see if you’re eligible now.

Ever since 2016, Medi-Cal has been expanding full-scope coverage to California residents regardless of their immigration status. In May 2016, children under 19 years of age became eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits. In January 2020, coverage was extended to young adults ages 19 through 25, in May 2022, to individuals 50 and older, and lastly, on January 1, 2024, to ages 26 – 49 years old. 

We encourage you to visit our website for more information.

Learn more here

Medi-Cal Expansion: If you have emergency Medi-Cal, you should have received a notification letter before December 15th. If you haven't received any yet, call the Human Services Department at 1 877-699- 6868 and make sure they have your correct information.

We have a team who can assist you with your Medi-Cal and Covered CA application!

=MEET THE ELIGIBILITY TEAM=

As a team, the Eligibility Department assists clients with submitting applications for Medi-Cal, Covered CA, and Cal-Fresh, as well as maintaining health coverage.

Major annual events are Covered CA Open Enrollment from November through January and CalFresh Awareness Month in May.

In addition to ongoing application assistance, they are already assisting people who may be eligible for Medi-Cal through the new Medi-Cal expansion.



They are available Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm.

For questions regarding renewing Medi-Cal or questions about Covered California, please call (707)939-6070 or email: eligibility@svchc.org

Beginning this year, we will only provide COVID-19 vaccines to our patients during doctor visits.

SVCHC will offer these vaccines to patients during doctor visits. We will notify the community if there are any changes in the future. Other alternatives include local pharmacies. For more information, please visit the SVCHC website, as it has been updated.

We continue our COOKING CLASSES!

This event is an excellent opportunity for you to learn some simple, fun, healthy cooking recipes!

We are planning on having special speakers and presenters in 2024. Our next class will be on February 1st, and we'll continue on the 1st Thursday of each month. 

To register, call 707-996-0311

We hope you can join us!

Click the video below for more information.

From the Sonoma County health officials

Drive slowly and be on the lookout for hazardous travel with slick road conditions, including possible ponding on roads and freeway off-ramps and minor flooding in low-lying or poor drainage areas.



● Unsheltered community members, older adults, children, and those with access and functional needs should seek shelter now as they are at higher risks of hypothermia.

● Avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day or for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather.

● Dress in layers. Wear a hat, scarf, gloves, and mittens, and waterproof, insulated boots to avoid hypothermia or frostbite.

● Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible to reduce the risk of hypothermia.

● Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water with electrolytes.

● Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and non-prescription medication if you will be staying outside, as it may lead to death or serious injury.

● Seek medical attention immediately and call 911 if you see someone experiencing hypothermia.

For information on preparing for extreme cold, visit: Get Ready

New Year’s Resolutions: Building Good Mental Health Habits

• Pick a Goal that Motivates You: You are more likely to stick to your goal if it motivates you, or if others such as a spouse, a workout partner, or a medical professional influence it. If your goal is to exercise more, but you know going to a gym is not a motivation for you, then pick another exercise you can do outside of the gym.
• Break Down Your Big Goals into Smaller, More Manageable Goals: This will avoid feeling overwhelmed. If your ultimate goal is to run a 5K race, but you have not yet run a lap around the track, start with walking a shorter distance and gradually begin to jog once you feel you’re ready. Sometimes just signing up for that race is the right motivation to start.
• Focus on Progress, Not Perfection, and Stay Positive: Emphasize the journey and strive for progress rather than aiming for perfection. Reward yourself for the progress you made. For instance, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds, but you only lost five pounds, acknowledge that the five pounds you lost were five more than before you started trying to lose weight. The way we talk to ourselves can foster a positive and realistic outlook and contribute to a healthier approach to both mental health and success in meeting our New Year’s resolutions.
• Lean on Others for Support and Motivation: Achieving goals can be easier when done with others. Consider joining groups or communities with similar goals to connect with people who can provide encouragement and accountability.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be easy on yourself. Acknowledge that setbacks will happen, and that’s okay. Just pick back up where you left off.
• Set a New Date: You do not need to commit to a resolution on January 1. Feel free to delay implementing your New Year’s resolutions until the time is right. You can make them at any time you want. Under stress now? Why not resolve to make that change beginning in March or by another preferred date?
• Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Don’t get too caught up in the New Year’s resolutions of others. Set goals with only you in mind.

Source

LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU

• To learn more about SVCHC's Behavioral Health Department, visit our website.
• Resources for the LGBTQ community go to this link.
• Buckelew Programs and a monthly resource packet.
• NAMI SONOMA support services.
• Hanna Center Community Mental Health Hub.
• For local resources, visit the county services.
• Resources for parents and children click here.
• "Suicide is Preventable." website.

Did you know that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause vision loss because of damage to the optic nerve responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.

Since there are no obvious symptoms, as much as 40% of vision can be lost before a person seeks medical attention. Experts estimate that half of those with glaucoma don’t even know they have it. Glaucoma causes your eye pressure to increase due to fluid buildup, coupled with your eye’s inability to regulate the internal pressure. Your doctor or eye care professional will be able to determine eye pressure quickly with that little blast of air during a routine exam.

• Schedule a routine exam with our Optometry Clinic. Open hours have resumed Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Located at 19312 Sonoma Highway, Suite B, Sonoma, CA. 95476.
• If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, feel free to call 707-755-7003.

Although glaucoma does not have obvious symptoms before vision is lost, there are several risk factors that could make you more susceptible to glaucoma. 



• The disease is more prevalent among African American and Latino populations. These groups are 6 to 8 times more likely to have glaucoma than Caucasians.
• People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as non-diabetics. Similarly, the likelihood of someone with open-angle glaucoma developing diabetes is higher than that of a person without the eye disease.
•  Other high-risk groups include people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, people who are severely nearsighted, and those with diabetes.
• Regular eye exams are especially important for these high-risk groups. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma, among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. The amount of vision loss can be reduced if treatment begins immediately after the glaucoma is discovered. An annual eye exam is the best defense against glaucoma and its devastating effects.

Source

“Each year, more than 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Yet cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers today. In most cases, it can be prevented through early detection and treatment of abnormal cell changes that occur in the cervix years before cervical cancer develops”.

Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 30 and 44, with the average age at diagnosis being 50. It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. More than 20% of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65. However, these cancers rarely occur in women who have been getting regular tests to screen for cervical cancer before they were 65.

Symptoms

 The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains:

Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer grows into nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptoms are:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, or having (menstrual) periods that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding after douching may also occur.
• An unusual discharge from the vagina − the discharge may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause
• Pain during sex
• Pain in the pelvic region

Cause

Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. It affects the surface cells of the genital area, including the cervix, vagina and vulva. It can also cause visible warts.

HPV is very common. About 80% of women will have the virus at some point in their lives, but many don’t know they’ve been exposed to the infection. Most women with the infection don’t develop cervical cancer. Only certain types of HPV cause cancer.

Cervical cancer usually develops many years after the HPV infection occurs”.

For more information, visit here

To get a pap smear call us at (707) 939-6070.

DONATE BLOOD AND SCORE BIG WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS!

Seats at this year’s Super Bowl could cost upwards of $7,000 each. However, starting today, all Red Cross blood donors can win a trip to the big game in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

All who come to give Jan. 1-31, 2024, are automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas as a way to thank all those helping during the critical post-holiday time. The winner and a guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Donors can schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

A time of critical need



During winter months, factors such as seasonal illnesses like the flu and severe weather conditions may disrupt the Red Cross’s ability to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients nationwide. Last year, hundreds of blood drives were canceled nationwide due to disasters. The Red Cross urges everyone to celebrate the New Year by donating blood to help ensure our nation’s blood supply.

The History of National Blood Donor Month

National Blood Donor Month began in January 1970 with a proclamation from President Richard Nixon, aiming to raise nationwide awareness about the critical need for blood donations during the winter. Each January, it serves as an opportunity to honor blood donors and inspire new ones, highlighting the essential role of blood donation in saving lives. Over the years, National Blood Donor Month has grown into a nationwide effort, uniting blood donation organizations, communities, and volunteers in a continuous mission to maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply.

• For more information, click here

• To learn more information on how to donate in Sonoma County visit Vitalant or American Red Cross.

PRESS RELEASE

The East County Services Center has opened its doors. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.  On-site services currently include Human Services, Child Support Services, WIC, Behavioral Health, and Community Resources Information. Appointments may be required to inquire within.

For Human Services locations throughout the county, click this link

Help us share this information with people who can be great candidates for the following positions. We are excited to grow our team!

We need volunteers for different projects and events! Email us here if you wish to make a difference in our community through SVCHC.

Remember to stay up to date through our social media platforms, where you'll find videos, resources, and information on current topics.

Subscribe today!

Thank you for investing in the health of the Sonoma Valley community.

Sonoma Valley Community Health Center has been on the front lines, providing care to our community since 1992. Low-wage jobs, minimal health benefits, and high living cost mean too many of our neighbors lack access to affordable health care. SVCHC spends approximately $1 million each year on providing care to our patients who are under or uninsured. Thanks to generous, community-minded people like you, we can ensure that all of our neighbors have access to quality care.

Thank you for your support!

• For questions regarding renewing Medi-Cal or questions about Covered California, please get in touch with the SVCHC Eligibility Team at (707)939-6070 or by email: eligibility@svchc.org

• Appointments for the W.I.C. Office must be made via phone before visits. Please call 707-565-6590. New location: 19080 Lomitas Ave. Sonoma, CA.

• REFB Food Distribution is at SVCHC every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Distribution hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or until supply lasts. 



• To receive a Free COVID test, visit this website.

• SRJC is offering FREE ESL noncredit classes. For more information, click this link.



• Community Health Worker Courses, click here

For more community resources, visit our website.

Community Resources

OUR MISSION: To provide accessible quality health care to those who need it, especially the underserved.

OUR VISION: To be recognized as a leader in providing patient and community-centered care in collaboration with other organizations.

707-939-6070 * www.svchc.org * community@svchc.org

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