e-newsletter
  December 2018

(603) 626-9500
 
          
Manchester Community Health Center,
Child Health Services at MCHC,
and the West Side Neighborhood Health Center
Greetings!

As 2018 ends, we reflect on the lives we’ve changed – the gentleman who found new life in cardiac health; the woman who was able to get her diabetes under control; and the family who learned to read English together at their pediatric office!

As a nonprofit, Manchester Community Health Center relies on donors to ensure that everyone has access to health care for physical, mental and behavior wellness. There is still time to make a difference ! Your gift of $25, $50, or $100 can provide eyeglasses, immunizations, and co-pays for people who could never afford these on their own.

From all of us at MCHC, we wish you a happy and healthy new year!
FORMER PEDIATRIC CONTINUES GIVING BACK
For the 12th year in a row, former Child Health Services (CHS) patient, Ben Spellman, makes a special delivery to Child Health Services at MCHC to give back to the organization that helped him when he was a child. 

Ben Spellman was a patient at CHS from the time it opened in the early 1980s until he turned 18. The positive impact Child Health Services and its founder, Dr. Selma Deitch, had on Ben was so great that each year he sets up a Go Fund Me page and with the donations raised, he purchases hundreds of toys for the children of MCHC. 
Ben Spellman, second from right, pictured with MCHC staff, delivered hundreds on toys to Child Health Services at MCHC on December 13, 2018.
This annual gift helps hundreds of families in the Greater Manchester area each year. With toys ranging from teething rings to books and bicycles to Legos, Ben carefully selects toys to fit every interest and age group.

Thank you, Ben and all those who donate each year to this toy drive. The joy these toys will bring to our youngest patients is priceless! 
ENSURING TEENAGERS IN NEED AREN'T FORGOTTEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Many gift-giving programs across the state provide toys for children during the holiday season. Unfortunately, many programs have an age cut off of 12 years. Children older than 12 do not qualify. This leaves a gap for teens in need during the holidays.
Student Officers from the GIVE group at The Derryfield School, Upper School, gather all the collected gifts for teens before delivering to MCHC.
The Get Involved Value Everyone (GIVE) club at The Derryfield School recognized the need for teens in their age group to also receive gifts during the holidays.

With the help of the social workers at Child Health Services at MCHC, the GIVE club identified 15 teens in need. They set up a giving tree at the Derryfield Upper School and asked classmates, families, and teachers to purchase gifts.

Each of the 15 teens received a "need" gift like a coat, hat, or clothing, as well as a "want" gift. This holiday season will be extra special for these teens!

Thank you to the GIVE club at The Derryfield School.
'MAKIN' IT HAPPEN' PODCAST FEATURING MCHC
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences and how do they affect children?

Lara Quiroga, MCHC's Director of Strategic Initiatives for Children, recently joined the Makin' It Happen podcast to explain Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Listen to the podcast to learn more about ACEs, their impact on children's behavioral health and what Manchester organizations are doing to help children who are exposed to ACEs. 
MCHC ASSISTS THOSE IN NEED OF HEALTH INSURANCE
YEAR-ROUND
Despite a shorter time frame for Open Enrollment this year and limited resources, the need for health insurance Marketplace assistance is still great. MCHC's team of certified application counselors understands this and has stepped in to help. 

Since January 2018, our team assisted 470 people in Marketplace and Medicaid expansion services, enrolling over 400 people in Marketplace and Medicaid expansion plans. 

The need is even greater for pregnant women and children needing Medicaid services. Our team assisted over 900 pregnant women and children and enrolled over 700 in Medicaid services in the 2018 calendar year.

Our team bridges the gap between people's needs and their understanding of the health insurance marketplace and Medicaid processes. Certified application counselors are available to provide MCHC patients and the general public with education, information, and enrollment services for health insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid and ensure that they have the assistance they need to understand the process, program requirements, and benefits. 

MCHC also offers resources online, in multiple languages, for those who need assistance understanding the different health insurance options.
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE!
Thank you to the Manchester Historic Association Millyard Museum for the donation of museum passes.

Thank you to Brookside Congregational Church for the donation of diapers and supplies.

Thank you to Trivantus for donating holiday gifts for children in need.

Thank you to the Puritan Backroom Restaurant for the donation to our staff appreciation event.

Thank you to the Pearl Manor Fund of the Mary & John Elliot Foundation in support of healthcare and support services for the elderly in our community.

Thank you to the Manchester Child Development Center for supporting MCHC's nutrition program.
Thank you to the Marine Toys For Tots for the donation of toys for children.


Thank you to the Matthew Thornton Health Plan Inc . an Anthem, Inc. company for a grant to support social determinants of health assessment, benefits assistance, SDOH services navigation and education and literacy services.

Thank you to the New Hampshire Tomorrow Substance Use Disorders Fund for a grant to support pregnant and newly parenting patients with substance use disorders and their babies.

Thank you to the Madelaine G. von Weber Trust fo r a grant to support our Eye Care Center at MCHC.

Thank you to the Dorothy Gould Cook Memorial Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for the generous support of Project Launch.

As always, Manchester Community Health Center relies on the generosity of our community to deliver the excellent care and wraparound services that keep our patients happy and healthy.
THE FINE PRINT
This project is supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

MCHC receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
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