Our Monthly News & Updates |
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Bourbon County LHEAT Distributes 480 Produce Boxes to Address Food Insecurity |
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Lisa Robertson, Community Health Worker of Bourbon County, is seen here with the produce boxes. |
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Image (L to R): Shane Adcock, Patient Engagement Project Coordinator, preparing to distribute produce boxes to Perry Pork Rinds Country Store in Bronson Kanas; Rachel Carpenter, Bourbon County LHEAT Lead, delivering food to Redfield Kansas; Robertson assisting a couple get a free produce box
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On May 5, Bourbon County Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) hosted a produce box distribution event in three locations to address food insecurity issues. Each box contained recipe cards, courtesy of K-State Research and Extension, and an educational flyer from Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center that explains the connection between mental health and benefits of nutritious food. Together, LHEAT promoted the event via a social media blast. Members distributed 416 food boxes to Fort Scott and delivered 64 to two locations in Western Bourbon County with the help of 20 volunteers.
“This is such a coordinated effort. We could not have done this without the volunteers’ support. A shout out to United Healthcare, which sponsored volunteers’ lunches,” said Rachel Carpenter, LHEAT Lead of Bourbon County.
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Seward County CHWs Distribute Test Kits and Community Resources at the Seward County Community College Wellness Fair |
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Julie Foster, Clarissa Carrillo and Susan Lukwago at the Seward County Community College Wellness Fair
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One of the 10 students who won a prize through a raffle |
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On May 3, Seward County Community Health Workers, Julie Foster and Susan Lukwago, and Community Regional Lead for the West region, Clarissa Carrillo, distributed 90 COVID-19 at-home test kits at the Seward County Community College Wellness Fair.
This fair is a part of the College's "De-stress" week to help students better prepare for finals week. In addition to the test kits, Foster and Lukwago also distributed goodie bags with community resources and information, first aid kits, pens, sticky notes, hand sanitizer, healthy snacks, toothpaste and hygiene items. Students who stopped by the booth were also entered into a raffle. Ten students won a special prize.
Courtesy photos: Julie Foster
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Barton County Delivers Life Saving Aide During Cinco De Mayo |
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Flor Sanchez, community health worker (CHW) of Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, Inc. in Great Bend provided more than 700 people with a myriad of personal protective equipment and health supplies during their Cinco de Mayo celebration at Barton County Court Square on May 7.
By working with other local organizations, Sanchez and the team produced 100 Food Boxes, 250 Hygiene Kits, and 100 goody bags packed with information regarding the services offered by Heart of Kansas. Bilingual resource flyers were also distributed at the predominantly Hispanic event.
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None of this would have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the local LHEAT organization, Oxford House and Great Bend High School Future Health Professionals (HOSA) with Future Farmers of America (FFA). Just another shining example of what is possible when we work together. "It was inspiring to see youth helping their community," Sanchez said.
The team also distributed 200 Covid kits and N95 masks a piece. The team spiced things up by raffling away a $50 Chamber certificate and a $20 gift card to Walmart. When asked about the event's success, Sanchez was elated with the COPE's first outing in the community. She added, "Setting a foundation for a healthy, knowledgeable, and equitable county."
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In her feature story, Foster shared her involvement in the Liberal Area Coalition for Families and COPE, her passion for criminal justice and a decade long experience working with families dealing with many aspects ranging from someone getting arrested, to suicide and to families experiencing housing insecurity.
In addition to being featured by The Leader & Times, Foster was also recently highlighted in the COPE Newsletter Issue 4. She is pictured on the front cover (far left), along with Olivia Flores, Jose Lara and Enrique Franz (L to R). |
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Hi! I am Flor Victoria Sanchez, a CHW to Barton County at Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, Inc. in Great Bend. I am a first generation Mexican American with Tulena and Huasteca roots. I graduated from Barton Community College in 2015 in Phlebotomy. I am currently on my last month of a 9-month faith-based discipleship program Women of Valor. I have worked in the field of public health in various positions, such as an early intervention services translator, breastfeeding peer counselor, medical assistant, phlebotomist ,and interpreter on call to our local police department.
I am a single mom of three amazing children Jasmine 15 years old, Leslee Aiatana 8 years old and Joshua Alexander 6 years old. Spending quality time with them is my energy to keep moving forward.
I love the idea that now I can work in a position where all the things that I love to do come together so I can help my community but most of all plant a positive seed for the future.
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Hello, I am Karina Vazquez, CHW Supervisor for the COPE project in Seward County. I previously worked at Southwest Medical Center. I graduated from Seward County Community College (SCCC) and received an Associate of Science degree in 2016. I then returned back to SCCC and completed my Associate's Degree in Nursing in 2020 and have more than six years working in the medical field.
My favorite part of my current role is being able to interact with the community and to help families in need by truly understanding what their needs are. My passion has always been to advocate for patients and families, giving them the help and care they need and deserve.
I was born and raised in Liberal where I still reside. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family, exercise, and, of course, watch or play soccer. We are a huge soccer fanatic family and most of our summers are dedicated to traveling for my step daughter's soccer events.
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Hi. I am Sarah Foreman. I was born in Michigan and spent most of my childhood in the Midwest and still call Kansas home. I graduated from Friends University with a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I then earned her Masters of Social Work from Washburn University.
My social work degree has opened several doors that otherwise would have not been available. I have worked for international and domestic adoption agencies, writing home studies. Early in my career, I served as a social worker on a rehab unit in Topeka and assisted multiple physicians with discharge planning. I also have taught as an adjunct Social Work professor for Fort Hays State University for 4 years. This position has helped nurture my passion for supporting families in the next generation of social workers.
Shortly after my husband, Nathan, graduated from Law School, we moved to Western Kansas. I then started a career in mental health. I primarily served young children and SPMI (Severely Persistently Mentally Ill) Consumers. Through years of supervision and consultation, I acquired the needed hours for an Infant Mental Health Specialist and was approved to take the LCSCW Exam. I plan to sit for the clinical social work test in the fall.
The mental health field was extremely rewarding, but as my family began to grow, so did my desire to be at home more. I transitioned to community work in 2011, as the Director of Liberal Area Coalition for Families. The majority of the work at the coalition focuses on policy, systems or environmental change. When I started, the directorship was the only paid position and the monthly coalition meetings averaged eight attendees. At present, the coalition supports eleven part-time employees with different interests and specialties in the community. The monthly LACF meetings now host approximately 50 agency or business representatives in person and virtually.
In the past, I have been on the boards for KCSL, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Parent Advisory Committee at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Baker Arts Center. For a short time, before moving to our farm, I served on the USD 480 Board of Education as President. Currently, I serve as chair for Pheasant Heaven Charities Benevolent Committee. I am also active in my church family and the youth group for my kids.
I am deeply invested in finding resources for my community to make the lives of those around me better. I will advocate for those who cannot for themselves. I desire to help others is evident in all of my work. But, my greatest joy is being wife of 19 years to Nathan and mom to Abigail, Levi, Mariah and Isaac. As a family, we care for our menagerie of animals and tend to land on our farm. When possible, an escape to family cabin in the Colorado Mountains is always welcome!
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We would love to hear from you! Share any noteworthy stories and activities you'd like for us to include in our future newsletters. |
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Barton County's LHEAT will host a booth at Barton County's 2nd annual Community Baby Shower to assist underemployed or low-income populations with infant needs. This is an excellent opportunity for the CHW to build relationships with partnering organizations: Great Bend Public Library, United Way of Central Kansas, Linking Arms with Teen Parents, and more. Our COPE representatives will give out COVID-19 test kits and resource kits.
"It's amazing that COPE and LHEAT groups can participate in things like this (community baby shower)," said Callie Miller, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities and LHEAT lead of Barton county. "It allows them to further their mission more."
The community baby shower will distribute a plethora of supplies that include 50 diaper boxes with two bottles, two packs of wipes, a brush, soap, lotion, rash cream and nose cream. Mothers will have an opportunity to receive a self-care package that includes a milk storage bag, spa kit, lanolin cream and a tumbler. One raffle prize will consist of a breast pump.
The importance of these partnerships can't be understated. The long list of partners made it possible to provide these essential supplies to economically challenged families. "We're able to reach more people if we can partner with other groups and organizations that are doing more events," said Miller.
For more information regarding Barton county's LHEAT group, view their latest news coverage in the Great Bend Post. Check out the 2nd annual Community baby shower on June 23, 2022, from 2 PM – 5 PM at Jack Kilby Square in Great Bend.
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Seward County's LHEAT met in early May. At the meeting, LHEAT members also broke into smaller groups to identify community needs.
Seward LHEAT knows the power of word-of-mouth. To recruit potential LHEAT members, Seward LHEAT also hosted an inventive basket prize to encourage members to bring a community guest to the meeting. Pictured on the left is the winner for the prize.
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In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Linda Gibson, CHW of Geary County, and Linde Martinez, CHW from with Konza Prairie Health and Dental Clinic, attended the Fayum Temple’s #209 1st Annual Mental Health Awareness program on May 21.
They were invited to this event by the VFW Post Commander Mr. Alan Sublette and Mr. Wooten of the Fayum Temple # 209 to provide information about their work as a CHW. At the event, they handed out bags that included health information, rapid COVID-19 test kits, mask and information about Konza Prairie Health and Dental Clinic.
Gibson and Martinez also met with advocates who work with individuals in Geary County living with a mental illness, including Sheri Wood from Changing Times, Missy Stevenson from Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue & Retirement Inc. and Mr. Anthony A Gibson, Veteran's Services Representative and Liaison of the VFW Post 8773.
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The COPE team enjoyed hosting Emily Steimel, Public Education Coordinator with the Center for Safety and Empowerment, as she informed the team about trauma and trauma-informed care. The one-hour seminar covered the difference between "BIG T" trauma and "little t" trauma while highlighting the importance of one's perception and trauma. Once the ocean of trauma was explored, the seminar concluded with a brief overview of the solidarity model.
If you or anyone you know requires assistance, reach out to the Young Womens Christian Association(YWCA). Visit their website to find the closest center to you.
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If you missed the seminar, don't worry. Watch the recording here. |
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Congratulations to JUNTOS Center for Advancing Latino Health of which COPE team members, Mariana Ramirez and Ton Miras Neira are a part, for winning the 2022 KUMC Vice Chancellor's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. Congratulations on your well-deserved award! ]
Photo courtesy: Mariana Hildreth
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KUMCs Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad and Ithar Hassaballa were honored this month for their work in Public Health. Ithar Hassaballa was named as one of the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award recipients for 2022. The inaugural 40 under 40 cohort represents the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, activists, intellectual provocateurs, authors, and directors who inspire and catalyze us all to a more just and equitable world.
Recipients for the 40 under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award represent the paragons of social justice within public health. Recipients catalyze excellence in public health leadership, entrepreneurship, research, advocacy, scholarship, and more. According to Dr. Candice Carpenter, Co-CEO of Boston Congress of Public Health and Co-Editor-in-Chief of HPHR (Formerly Harvard Public Health Review), "They are beacons of illumination and stewards of positive change for public health issues."
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Dr. Ithar Hassaballa (Above) is one of 40 recipients of the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award. |
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Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad (above) received the Graduate Award of Excellence in Teaching and Service. |
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Ithar Hassaballa wasn't the only member of the Hassaballa lineage to receive recognition from a prestigious institution this month. Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad received the Graduate Award of Excellence in Teaching and Service. Ruaa was nominated by faculty in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science(ABS) at the University of Kansas.
When asked if there was a bit of friendly competition between Ruaa and herself, Ithar said, " I am 3 years older than Ruaa, but I do not have memories before Ruaa was born. I remember the day she was born and everything after that. Ruaa inspires me, and I am such a proud big sister. She's also my best friend and brings so much value to life, personally and professionally. We help each other win. We do not compete but instead try to open doors for one another."
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Ruaa echoed her sister's sentiments. "Ithar is an inspiration to me, and I'm incredibly proud of this national and global award she received! She's been a support to me, and I'm thankful to get to work in the same area as her," said Hassaballa-Muhammad. |
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"Misconception occurs when knowledge of something is not based upon its true form."
In the twilight you see a coiled rope and mistake it for a snake. You get frightened. There is no snake there in reality. There is a false understanding. But still it created a terror in your mind. It is not only valid knowledge that creates thought waves but erroneous impressions also. - Sri Swami Satchidananda
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Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May |
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The AA and NHPI community has contributed greatly to medicine, science, literature, government, politics, activism and law, among others. Unlike other minority groups, Asian Americans in the AA and NHPI group have long been stereotyped as "perpetual foreigners" but the community has a long history being in North America.
Asians first migrated to North America over 15,000 years ago. Filipinos came to Louisiana as early as the 16th century (before the U.S. was established). Chinese labors contributed to the transcontinental railroad in 1850s; yet, Chinese was the only ethnic group ever in the history banned from immigrating to the U.S. by the Congress in 1882.
Education can bridge knowledge gap. It also helps us understand each other better. Representations matter. Let's start with the following list:
Sources: Histroy.com, PBS.org, The Washington Post, Lisa Ling's 'Take Out with Lisa Ling, National Geographic, Harvard Business Review, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
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Missed our prior issues? Want to share our work with community partners? Our prior issues can be found below.
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We are only as strong as our community. Share this with friends and colleagues in your network so they can learn about COPE.
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