Newsletter April - June 2020
Good afternoon,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones doing well. My heart goes out to all those who are suffering because of COVID-19, whether it is related to health, isolation or economic issues.

Today as we make decisions about our actions, and looking forward to the future, please make sure to keep up the good practices of social distancing and wearing a mask. If we all do our part, we can fight this pandemic together. Please be especially mindful as we make plans for our holiday weekend on July 4th.

We at the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida are committed to improving the health of all people in our communities, whether urban, suburban, or rural.  We do this by working on initiatives that have an impact on the social determinants of health, whether it is access to healthcare and healthcare systems, access to housing and transportation, safety, healthy food options, education, economic support, or social and community integration. The articles in this newsletter provide an update on a handful of those initiatives. We are also in the process of surveying our customers to help make sure we are a doing a good job.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter, and feel free to reach out to me if you would like any additional information.

Best regards,
Susan Grich
President & CEO
Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
HPCNEF is seeking a Housing Specialist to assist with the CDC Overdose Data to Action grant in partnership with the Department of Health in Duval County. Please click on the link below for more information about the opportunity. 
Clay County Consolidated Plan Public Participation Meeting
Time: July 23, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 8080 9494
Dial in options:
+1 929 436 2866
+1 301 715 8592
+1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 898 8080 9494
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
CDC OVERDOSE DATA TO ACTION GRANT

HPCNEF is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) on a three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of the grant is twofold: to use data to better understand the opioid epidemic that is killing hundreds of Jacksonville residents each year, and to put that data into action for prevention. The primary role of HPCNEF is to manage the financial and grant administration aspects, including the management of subcontracts for services from community-based organizations. The stakeholder workgroup is continuing to meet to further explore the gaps revealed by local data and identify potential projects to fund through a request for proposals expected later this year. For more information, please contact Agata Gardner 
RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PLANNING: NASSAU COUNTY

 The Rural Communities Opioid Response Planning Grant (RCORP), along with the Nassau County Care Connect Consortia (NC3), completed the final piece of the planning process, a Sustainability Plan, in mid-May. The Sustainability Plan utilized elements from the consortium’s needs assessment, strategic plan and workforce development plan to focus on strategies and activities to address gaps in OUD prevention, treatment and recovery in Nassau County. Consortia members were not intimidated by COVID-19 as members forged on utilizing web-based meeting platforms to complete the plan, meeting the HRSA deliverable well in advance of the due date. A virtual 'high-five' to all of the NC3 Consortia members for their unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to the planning process, and love of their community.

RCORP is a multi-year initiative, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to address access to care barriers related to substance use disorder in rural communities. Currently, the Health Planning Council’s RCORP initiative, focused in Nassau County, has completed the planning process initiative and submitted a proposal for the RCORP Implementation grant with notice of award planned for late July/early August. RCORP Implementation grants aim to strengthen and expand substance use disorder (SUD)/ opioid use disorder (OUD) prevention, treatment and recovery service delivery in rural areas. Award recipients will receive up to $1 million each over a three-year period of performance to implement a set of evidence-based interventions and promising practices that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s five-point strategy to combat the opioid crisis.

“Rural Communities Opioid Response Planning Grant is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $200,000 with 0 percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”
ACA NAVIGATOR PROGRAM: MARKETPLACE COVERAGE AND COVID-19


Federally-trained Marketplace Navigators can help in this crucial time when many consumers are experiencing life changes like loss of job-based coverage or shifts in income. All Marketplace plans cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions and cannot terminate coverage due to a change in health status, including treatment for the coronavirus emergency, officially called 2019 Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.

The Health Planning Council’s Navigator Program provide free assistance to people who are losing their jobs along with their health insurance. These individuals qualify for the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) through the Health Insurance Marketplace, commonly referred to as Obamacare. Individuals have 60 days from the date of loss of coverage to qualify for the SEP with some COVID-related exceptions to the 60 days. Navigators are free and available statewide. Individuals can contact Joyce Case at the Health Planning Council by calling 904-762-8600 to schedule an appointment.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

Join Us in Supporting a Summer of Safety, Fun and Community

The FDOT Safe Routes to School program is nearing its conclusion at the end of June 2020. However, the need for bike and pedestrian safety continues in our communities. Many of us have noticed an increase in the number of people walking and riding bikes due to changes in our daily lives as a result of COVID-19. Here are some valuable reminders, ideas, and resources to continue the promotion of healthy lifestyles through biking and walking. Grab your helmets and lace up your shoes to participate in some summer safety fun:

INSPIRE : Decorate your sidewalk, windows, or bike with signs of encouragement for your neighbors to bike and walk.
PREPARE : Conduct a bike safety and helmet fit check. Check the  fit of your helmet  and teach others in your family how to properly fit theirs. Do the  ABC Quick Check  with help from the League of American Bicyclists. If you’re teaching a new bicyclist to ride, check out  this instructional  video  for beginners.
GET OUT THERE: Get out for a walk or bike ride with your family! 
SHARE: Do you have safety concerns with walking or biking around your neighborhood?  Learn who can help address those concerns  using this list from Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center at pedbikeinfo.org.
TALK: Hold a  five-minute interview  with family members about their experiences walking or biking. Look into online resources and biking and walking activities encouraged by our state or community transportation departments and advocacy groups. 

Spread the word by sharing this lineup and posts from our  Facebook  &  Instagram  accounts with your community! For more information about SRTS, please contact Jackie Morrison
NORTHEAST FLORIDA CANCER CONTROL COLLABORATIVE

On June 11, 2020, HPCNEF and the Northeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NEFCCC) partnered with Mayo Clinic to provide a health disparity and cultural competency training to their employees and community partners. This training was very well received by all 31 attendees. The main discussion among attendees focused on how to offer this training throughout the community, such as through faith based organizations, provider offices, and high school students aspiring to become healthcare professionals. It was also emphasized the importance of offering this training to elected officials and law enforcement as well as employees working in state-funded programs targeting underserved populations.
 
Jose Morales, one of HPCNEF's Health Planners, presented Duval County’s demographic data related to cancer, health behaviors, disparities, and socioeconomic status. Many attendees were surprised to learn the health status of Duval County residents. Danielle Chavez, University on North Florida’s MPH intern, provided a powerful presentation on cultural diversity and cultural competency awareness. She was commended for her excellent presentation skills and impressed attendees by using firsthand experiences on race and cultural diversity. Her concluding statement left an impact on attendees: “There is diversity in every race and culture with subcultural identities in every group, so be mindful and understand the people you serve.” For more information about NEFCCC, please contact Jose Morales

ST. JOHNS RIVER RURAL HEALTH NETWORK

The St. Johns River Rural Health Network (SJRRHN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that HPCNEF administers through the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Office of Rural Health.  SJRRHN’s focus has been to finalize work on the HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant for Putnam County which will conclude on June 30, 2020.  SJRRHN applied for the Rural Health Network Development Grant in November 2019 and received Notice of Award in the amount of $900,000 for a three year project period to begin July 1, 2020!
 
The SJRRHN completed the application for a grant to continue the work of the RCORP Planning grant in Nassau County. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Implementation grant application includes partnerships with HPCNEF, FDOH-Nassau, and Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare. This partnership will extend to an additional RCORP funding opportunity for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome application due July 20 th . For more information about SJRRHN, please contact Flora Davis.
NEWS AND RESOURCES
HEALTH IN THE NEWS



OVERALL CANCER RATES DROPPED 26% IN 20 YEARS

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for 24% of all cancer deaths. C ancer death rates decreased every year during the past 20-year data period (1999 to 2018).

AHCA BACKS MORE MEDICAID MONEY FOR 28 HOSPITALS IN FLORIDA

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has announced a plan to increase their Medicaid reimbursement rates for 28 Florida hospitals. Learn More

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predicts an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. Planning what to do before an emergency occurs is the best protection for you and your family.
Click below for the latest information:

COVID-19 UPDATES

Click below for the latest COVID-19 updates at the national and state levels:
CDC


SURVEY REQUEST

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its partners are updating the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP), the state’s long-range plan guiding Florida’s transportation future. FTP is a plan for all of Florida – and affects every resident, business, and visitor. FDOT is requesting your input via 4 survey links as well as other opportunities to get involved. Learn More


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The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida is pleased to announce a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a qualified provider of housing placement as well as support services for ongoing maintenance of that placement. Learn More

US CENSUS 2020

It's not too late to take the US Census 2020! It only takes a few minutes to complete and you can respond online, by phone or by mail. Learn How
Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida | 904.448.4300 | Fax 904.448.4304 | www.hpcnef.org