Over the next few weeks, the Catawba County United Way will be highlighting the executive and program directors of the CCUW's funded partner agencies for 2023.
Every year, the CCUW looks to partner with local non-profits through our large grant cycle and help support their programs focused on improving the lives of those in need in the areas of education, financial stability and health.
This week we learn about Tiffany Randazza - Clinical Officer at Catawba Valley Healthcare. In 2023, the CCUW is helping to fund the agency's primary care for adults with mental health issues.
1. What drew you to your current position and working in the non-profit world?
I have worked in the nonprofit world for 20 years. I was drawn to Catawba Valley Healthcare, specifically, because of the vast array of programs that are offered under one roof. In the nonprofit world you cannot expect your agency to be able to help your patients with all their needs and community partnerships are crucial; however, I was impressed with CVH's catalog of services that would enable the people we serve to truly have whole person care. With my background being in Addiction and Forensic Psychology, I came with a special interest in CVH's jail services.
However, as most know that Addiction is not an isolated disease and it can be so challenging to be able to connect that population with other much needed services, like Primary care, Psychiatric Medication Management that are integrated to be able to capture the nuances of the care needed. With CVH having all those services working together in addition to a focus on Health Equity, I knew I had to learn more. Once I joined the team and learned that CVH's breath goes far beyond even that with services for the IDD population with group homes and their Lifeskills program, residential services for Brain Health/Mental Health and a Psychosocial Rehab.
2. What is the biggest challenge your agency faces today?
I do not think that CVH is unique in that the biggest challenge facing us is sustainable and adequate funding. North Carolina has come a long way in prioritizing Brain Health/Mental Health treatment, but there is a long way to go in order for us (not just CVH, but all the local nonprofits) to be able to serve the community to the level that we need. CVH utilizes local and National grant funding to help support some of our programs where state funds and fee for service funds fall short, however those funds (and therefor the much-needed programs) are not guaranteed to continue past the grant funded period. CVH has primarily served the under insured and uninsured in our community, we have regularly been the safety net for them.
CVH takes pride in doing everything we can to provide much needed Primary Care and Behavioral Health care regardless of an individual's financial situation. With the current struggles in our community from raising inflation, COVID and other social determinants of health, there is an even greater number of people that fall into that category.
