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We stand with our partner Pride Center of Vermont, in condemning the acts of violence directed towards LGBTQ+ communities and individuals. The news of the violence at Club Q in Colorado has left ripples of anger and despair here in Vermont. To ensure our LGBTQ+ community feels welcome, safe, and able to thrive in our communities, we must continue to hold and create new and better ways to support one another.
Together, we take a moment to name the lives of those that left us too soon: Raymond Green Vance (he/him), Kelly Loving (she/her), Daniel Aston (he/him), Derrick Rump (he/him), and Ashley Paugh (she/her).
The Office of Racial Equity recently shared this resource on Surviving and Resisting Hate. Along with the Pride Center, Outright Vermont, and Out in the Open, the following national organizations honor and serve the LGBTQ+ community:
- The Trevor Project
- The Ali Forney Center
- The Audre Lorde Project
- GLSEN
- The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
- GLAAD
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Public Health Response Updates | |
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There’s a lot you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this winter.
Follow three simple steps so you don’t miss a beat this season.
- Get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.
- Practice everyday measures to prevent the spread of germs, like washing your hands and staying home when sick.
- Talk with your provider about treatment options if you are sick and at high risk for getting very sick.
By following these steps, you can keep yourself and your family safe from viruses that affect your lungs or breathing, like COVID, flu, RSV and colds. Learn more about prevention.
Share this important message with your audience with this partner toolkit.
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Long COVID Support
Some people continue to experience new, returning or ongoing symptoms that can last months after first being infected. These post-COVID conditions are also known as long COVID, long-haul COVID or post-acute COVID, and can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please contact your health care provider if you are experiencing long COVID symptoms.
Below are helpful resources for dealing with long COVID or to support initiatives:
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VHEI BIPOC Vaccination Clinic Winter 2022
The Vermont Health Equity Initiative is pleased to offer vaccines once again:
- Under 5 COVID-19 Vaccine
- Bivalent Vaccine for 5 years and older
- Flu vaccine
The 12/3/22 clinic will be located at Burlington High School (Downtown location, 67 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401).
Register
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Health Department Equity News | |
Office of Health Equity Integration Vision and Mission, Retreat and Process
The Office of Health Equity Integration (OHEI) has been working on the Health Department’s vision and mission for health equity for several months, and we are thrilled to finally share it!
Vision
A transformed public health system that is just and equitable.
Mission
Collectively reimagine and rebuild public health systems that have historically prevented individuals and communities in Vermont from living their healthiest lives.
Relationships are primary in equity work, so in September, we gathered for an OHEI retreat where we learned about ourselves and each other through tools like DISC (which stands for (D)ominance, (I)nfluence, (S)teadiness and (C)onscientiousness) and the Intercultural Development Inventory. An external facilitator led us through additional working sessions to develop a collective north star that will guide our goals and activities. Getting to these statements meant having challenging conversations, deep reflections and leaning into discomfort. This has allowed for enormous growth and learning in how we approach health equity work. We are eager to have our collective work embody this vision and mission. Together, with you, we can reimagine and rebuild systems to be more just and equitable.
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Vermont Community Health Equity Partnership - How We're Working with Data
Everyone working in public health understands the value of reliable data. It is how we decide what projects get funded, who gets the resources, and whether the intervention worked or not. Not so long ago “data” meant only quantitative data – those “numbers” that could be conveniently evaluated using math and statistics. Today we expect “data” to also include qualitative sources, such as people’s stories, shared through interviews, community meetings, and informal conversation.
The twelve regional collaboratives in the Vermont Community Health Equity Partnership have created data driven problem statements (DDPS) to guide their work. Yes, the “numbers” are referenced, but the DDPS are a result of meaningful outreach and interactions with members of the community with personal lived experience with the social and systemic issues that impact health. They reflect difficult conversations, listening, learning, consensus-building, and a commitment to advance health equity for all.
In public health it can take decades for the numbers to change. The DDPS process of inclusive community engagement helps foster community well-being today.
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CDC Funding Opportunity to Address hMPXV Vaccination Disparities
The CDC Foundation is accepting applications for up to 20 mini-grant awards for up to $25,000 each from community-based organizations, state, territorial, local, or tribal health departments, or tribal organizations to reduce monkeypox vaccination disparities. Applications are due November 23. Learn more here!
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Community Health Worker Update
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Informational video: Help us build more awareness of Community Health Workers in Vermont and the diversity of programs that exist across the state by sharing this video.
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Free online training: Vermont Community Health Workers can register for this free training on chronic disease.
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Community Health Worker Conference: We look forward to our conference in Montpelier on December 1. Registration has closed.
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Up-to-Date Information That Multilingual Vermonters Can Rely On
The Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP) provides access to health care information in video and audio format in the 16 languages most commonly spoken in Vermont, ensuring that people with limited English proficiency can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Each video, released on their YouTube channel, engages and connects
local health professionals, refugees, immigrants, and migrant workers who
have all reported the pressing need for such a service. This need is visible
through the project’s ever growing YouTube channel, which has surpassed
111,000 views, and is being viewed not only in Vermont, but all over the
country, and in fact, the world!
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“I have heard firsthand from providers nationwide about how useful the videos are. During the pandemic, it has been made even clearer that we need improvements in public health literacy. Trusted multilingual resources are key strategies towards that effort. The Vermont Language Justice Project is an essential piece of the goal to ensure health equity.
Please accept my strongest endorsement of their work.”
Dr. Andrea Green, MDCM FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics,
Director Pediatric Global Health, Director Pediatric New American Program
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Promoting IDEAL Vermont
On November 11, 2022 Governor Phil Scott and the Office of Racial Equity promoted a new state initiative that encourages and supports municipalities across the state in their efforts to be more inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
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IDEAL Vermont, which stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action and Leadership, officially kicked off in October with its first fourteen member towns and cities: Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Essex, Fairfax, Hardwick, Hartford, Hinesburg, Orange, St. Albans, South Burlington, Richmond, Tinmouth and Winooski. Check out the IDEAL Vermont Brochure.
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Supporting Open Enrollment
Vermont Health Connect is spreading the word about the Open Enrollment for 2023 health and dental plans running from November 1, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Any eligible Vermonter can enroll in a plan or change the plan they now have.
You can help spread the word to employees, clients, neighbors and friends using the communications toolkit. You can also give your feedback and suggestions regarding this outreach by email.
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2022 US Trans Survey
This year's survey provides an updated and expanded view of the experiences of transgender people across a wide range of areas, such as education, employment, family life, health, housing, and interactions with police and prisons.
All binary and nonbinary trans people, ages 16 and older, who live in the United States or a U.S. territory are welcome to complete the survey and make their voices heard. Deadline extended to December 5.
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Native American Girls Describe the REAL History Behind Thanksgiving | Teen Vogue | |
The Persistent Story
The story of Thanksgiving that most Americans know is a myth created by the dominant culture to glorify the actions of the first settlers. This story leaves out the many abuses and atrocities suffered by the Native tribes at the hands of these settlers.
Please take the time to learn more about true history of Thanksgiving.
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"Invest in the Environment" by Annie Caswell | |
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The Appeal of 'Call and Response' at the Fleming Museum Is Human Stories
Pamela Polston, Seven Days, November 9, 2022
The collective's goals are to provide community and create opportunities to both make and exhibit their work. "Call and Response" is the group's first collaboration with the Fleming. For the museum, the show puts into practice its commitment to inclusion.
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White House Summit on Covid-19 Equity and What Works Showcase
Livestreamed November 16, 2022
The efforts of organizations and collaborations in communities across the country amounts to a historic proof of concept for how—when appropriately resourced and supported—inequities in health can be minimized and eliminated with thoughtfulness, intentionality, and innovation. Watch community organizations, equity leaders, government officials and philanthropic organizations share best practices to light the way forward.
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Commentary, VT Digger, November 21, 2022
If someone were to tell you they have cancer, you probably imagine the chemotherapy or radiation. You can probably imagine the fear they’re feeling about their future. Can you imagine what it’s like to have long COVID? Why not? If you know more than five people who have had a COVID infection, you probably know someone who is experiencing, or has experienced, long COVID.
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Native American Heritage Month Twitter Chat
November 29 | 2 pm
Join the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health for a Twitter chat in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The chat will discuss how maternal and child health and food access can be improved for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Follow @MinorityHealth and @JHUCIH on Twitter and use the hashtags #NativeHealthChat and #NativeStregths to join the conversation.
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SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program’s Rural Provider Education Series: Intro to LGBTQ+ Identities
December 1 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
This series is designed for rural community support organizations to spend time with colleagues from across rural Vermont working toward increased support and access for rural LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, or stalking.
Register here.
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Dementia Equity Programs in the Hispanic and LGBTQI+ Communities
December 13, 2022, 2-3 pm
National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center
Learn about dementia programs that focus on serving the needs of the Hispanic and LGBTQI+ communities, which historically have not received equitable care and support.
Register here.
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