In the June 2023 edition of our e-newsletter, you will find:

• Remembering Dora Robinson
• Racial Justice & Health Equity
• Policy update about reducing barriers for returning citizens
• Coalition updates about Age-Friendly Initiative and air quality
• PHIWM News, including New Staff!
• New Report: Community Health Needs in the Berkshires
• Upcoming Events in the Region, including several Juneteenth celebrations!
• COVID-19 News & Resources

Remembering Dora Robinson

Ms. Dora Robinson was a role model to us all. Her work as a leader influenced our region and all who interacted with her. She was an ambassador and teacher for all we should aspire to – kindness, inclusion, humility, fun, excellence, celebrating what is right, and speaking up for what isn’t. Her smile and laughter are emblazoned in our hearts and minds. Thank you, Ms. Dora, for everything.

Racial Justice & Health Equity

Nigel Greaves is the Director of Development at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Read more about Nigel's charge for how philanthropic organizations can advance health and racial equity, and visit the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide to learn how other people in the region have put resources into practice to advance their journey towards racial and health equity.

Policy

Update on Second Chance/Clean Slate Bills

On June 14 scores of advocates joined with state senators and representatives on Beacon Hill to highlight the pressing need to modernize Massachusetts’ outdated system for managing criminal offense record information (CORI). The Legislature’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus hosted this legislative briefing to champion two “clean slate/second chance bills” that would reduce CORI barriers for returning residents to access housing and jobs. People who were formerly incarcerated spoke about the challenges they face when their CORIs are not sealed when they should be...

Read On

Some of the more than 50 people who gathered at the State House to advocate for CORI reform, because a criminal record should not mean poverty and no real chance for success.

Coalition Building

Recap: Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

The Live Well Springfield Coalition, in collaboration with the Springfield Department of Elder Affairs, hosted an Age-Friendly Health and Tech Showcase at the end of May to celebrate Older Americans Month. Mayor Dominic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Rep. Bud L. William, and Department of Elder Affairs Eliana Gutierrez attended the event. More than 150 older adults, caregivers, and providers attended. The Public Health Institute of Western MA (who convenes Live Well Springfield) was presented with a citation by State Rep. Bud L. Williams for eight years working to advance the age-friendly initiative in Springfield. Check out some photos from the event! 

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Air quality may be a bit better than last week, but with fire season just beginning, this likely isn't the last time we will see smokey skies. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to stay healthy. First, keep an eye on air quality in your neighborhood by visiting healthyairnetwork.org, and follow the recommendations offered on the site. Depending on the air quality level and your health conditions, you may consider taking the following precautions:

• Limit time spent outdoors;
• Avoid high-intensity activities outdoors;
• Wear a well-fitted N95 mask;
• Keep windows and doors closed when possible, and use fans and/or AC to stay cool to limit outdoor air from coming inside;
• Run a portable air cleaner to improve indoor air quality. You can make a low-cost air cleaner using a box fan, a filter, and a little duct tape! Check out this video demonstration!

PHIWM News

New Staff

In the News

Our projects and staff frequently appear in the news. Check out some of the latest:

• WWLP-22 News, 5/31/23: Age-Friendly Health and Tech Showcase in Springfield
• City of Springfield, 5/31/23: Mayor Sarno, HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris, State Representative Williams and City Councilor Walsh attend Public Health Institute Special Age-Friendly Health and Tech Showcase
• Northampton Department of Health and Human Services, 6/7/23: Canadian Wildfires Affecting Air Quality in Northampton and the Region; Please Take Precautions
• WWLP-22News, 6/8/23: How poor air quality can cause lung disease

Research & Evaluation

Report Now Available! Community Health Needs in the Berkshires

We are excited to announce that the Berkshire Health Systems' Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) report is now available! Not only will this report inform the Berkshire Health Systems' strategies, but it is a valuable source of information for community organizations.

Learn more.

Events in the Region

June is a month of celebrations with Pride and Juneteenth. There are many great events coming up in the region!

• Street Renaming Ceremony in Honor of Ronn Johnson, 6/16/23 at 4:30 pm: Please join the Johnson Family and the City of Springfield as Rutland Street is re-dedicated in memory of Ronn Johnson. The newly renamed "Ronn Johnson Way" is the home of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Center- the epicenter of Ronn's beloved community of Mason Square.
• Juneteenth Jubilee 2023, 6/16/23-6/18/23 in Springfield: Celebrate Juneteenth in Springfield over several days. There will be a flag raising, adult block party, family fun day, and fathers day brunch. Learn more.
• Pittsfield's Juneteenth Celebration, 6/18/23 at 12:00 pm at Durant Park: The NAACP Berkshire County Branch invites you to join them for this free, family-friendly event and celebrate Juneteenth with a Freedom Walk and fun community gathering at Durant Park in Pittsfield! Learn more.
• Juneteenth Eve Concert, 6/18/2023 from 12:00 pm-3:00 pm at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Church Street Center in North Adams: A free celebration of Black Music Appreciation Month with Wanda Houston, Tendei Muparutsa, Misty Blues, Chantell McFarland, and The Diego Mongue Band. Learn more.
• Amherst's 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee, 6/19/23 at 12:00 pm at the Amherst Town Common: The Town of Amherst celebrates its 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee on the Common: Our Voices. Our History. Our Vision. Our Stories. Learn more. 
• Greenfield's Let's Celebrate Juneteenth!, 6/19/23 at 12:00 pm at Beacon Field: Come celebrate Juneteenth at Beacon Field in Greenfield. The event will include Taste of Greenfield, a Youth Parade, vendors, and more. Learn more. 
• Arise for Social Justice 13th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, 6/19/23 from 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm at Emerson Park in Springfield: Celebrate Juneteenth with free food, music, entertainment, information, and more. Learn more.

• 2023 Office of Problem Gambling Services 7th Annual Stakeholder Listening Session - Springfield, 6/21/23 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services invites you to participate in a virtual discussion about modern-day gambling and its effects. Learn more and register.

• Long COVID Clinical Care and Supports: What we have + What we need, 6/28/23 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm: Hosted by the Boston COVID Recovery Cohort (BCRC), this forum will feature Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. Following her presentation, Dr. Ojikutu will engage in a conversation with a distinguished panel. Please RSVP by June 21 if you plan to attend. Forum participants will have the choice of listening in 4 different languages: Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. To attend the forum, use this Zoom link.
• AGO Western MA Regional Office Open House, 7/12/23 from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm at 1441 Main Street, 1st floor, Springfield: Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell invites you to an open house. This is an opportunity for community partners to connect with staff from various divisions within the agency and to learn more about their work and roles in the office. Register

COVID-19 News & Resources

Do You Still Use the Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard?

We will be changing the Western Massachusetts COVID-19 Data Dashboard to better align with the current state of COVID-19 and the end of the emergency declarations. We want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to tell us how you use the dashboard. 

Current COVID Trends

COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are continuing to decline. This is great news! We do not know how long this low-risk period will last, as scientists continue to monitor new mutations and variants of the virus. The CDC continues to advise that everyone stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, use at-home tests if you have been exposed or have symptoms, stay home when sick, and wear high-quality masks when COVID-19 levels are high. COVID-19 wastewater monitoring is a way to track current transmission in your county. 

Tendencias Actuales de Covid

Los casos de COVID, las hospitalizaciones y las muertes continúan disminuyendo. ¡Esta es una gran noticia! No sabemos cuánto durará este período de bajo riesgo, ya que los científicos continúan monitoreando nuevas mutaciones y variantes del virus. Los CDC continúan recomendando que todos se mantengan al día con las vacunas contra el COVID-19, usen pruebas en el hogar si han estado expuestos o tienen síntomas, se queden en casa cuando estén enfermos y usen máscaras de alta calidad cuando los niveles de COVID-19 sean altos. El monitoreo de aguas residuales de COVID-19 es una forma de rastrear la transmisión actual en su condado.

Indoor Ventilation

The CDC has updated its ventilation guidance to help prevent indoor transmission of COVID and other respiratory viruses. A target of 5 air changes per hour is recommended to maintain healthy air quality in rooms and buildings. Good ventilation is essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment and protecting building occupants from respiratory infections. Learn more.

Ventilación Interior

El CDC ha actualizado su guía de ventilación para ayudar a prevenir la transmisión en interiores de COVID y otros virus respiratorios. Se recomienda un objetivo de 5 cambios de aire por hora para mantener una calidad de aire saludable en habitaciones y edificios. Una buena ventilación es esencial para mantener un ambiente interior saludable y proteger a los ocupantes del edificio de infecciones respiratorias. Aprende más.

Protection for Children

COVID vaccination rates for kids, especially young kids, remains very low. The vaccine is safe. It can help prevent the risk of hospitalization and missing school or other activities important to kids. With the CDC’s updated guidance, kids only need 1 bivalent dose (regardless of whether they have received their primary series or not) to be considered up to date on their COVID vaccination. 

To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you:

• Talk to your child’s pediatrician
• Search vaccines.gov for appointments 
• Find a local mobile clinic near you 
• Learn more about in-home vaccination 

Protección para niños

Las tasas de vacunación contra el COVID para niños, especialmente niños pequeños, siguen siendo muy bajas. La vacuna es segura. Puede ayudar a prevenir el riesgo de hospitalización y de faltar a la escuela u otras actividades importantes para los niños. Con la guía actualizada de los CDC, los niños solo necesitan 1 dosis bivalente (independientemente de si han recibido su serie primaria o no) para que se considere que están al día con su vacuna contra el COVID.

Para encontrar una clínica de vacunas contra el COVID-19 cerca de usted:

• Hable con el pediatra de su hijo
• Busque en vacunas.gov para citas
• Encuentre una clínica móvil local cerca de usted
• Obtenga más información sobre la vacunación en el hogar