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What's Inside?
- New reports!
- Upcoming events and opportunities
- Policy updates- Clean Slate Summit
- PHIWM news
- National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
- Your Feedback is Needed: Community Health Equity Survey Closes Oct 31
- COVID-19 news & resources
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Today I heard Dr. Rob Roose, Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Medical Center, talk about the mission and power of healing. It struck me as a term we don’t use often in our society despite the ubiquitous harm that we experience, witness, hear of, and constantly absorb through many sources on a day-to-day basis. The dichotomy of harm and healing is a consistent theme throughout the global experience, the human experience. Public health as well as many sectors are at work each day trying to prevent harm, mitigate harm, and lift up collaborative strategies for healing. We recognize from new research that most people want healing to be the emphasis, not divisiveness and hate. We know from the study of human nature that we tend to fear what we don’t know rather than explore it and inquire.
This month’s newsletter is full of information and opportunities in our region provided by thoughtful and intentional collaborations that are truly about healing. Will you make the time to learn more and join in? Will you allow yourself the opportunity to focus on perhaps one thing at a time; take a breath and stretch out of your “comfort zone or work lane” to explore something different, be surrounded by new people, and grow and evolve your thinking and choices? We hope so! It is these strategic moments and choices if navigated with courage and wisdom, that might tilt the collective balance to more health and healing than harm.
Thanks for being a part of our community,
Jessica
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Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit
When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Sheraton Springfield
Join the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and other partner organizations at the inaugural Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit, a powerful convening of leaders, advocates, and changemakers! Together, let’s build relationships, align our efforts, and advance racial equity in workplaces and organizations across Western Massachusetts.
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A Roadmap for Youth Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts
When: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 8:30 am to 11:45 am
Where: UMass-Amherst
With a focus on youth, this forum will provide a roadmap to help facilitate prevention, support social-emotional learning, foster connection, and inform policy change for Western Massachusetts.
This Massachusetts Health Policy Forum is co-sponsored by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. It was also made possible by generous funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation funded the development of the "Roadmap."
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Additional Events & Opportunities
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Mental Health for the Culture, October 24, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: This educational workshop, facilitated by Wellness for the Culture, is about inter-generational trauma within the Black and Latinx community and how it affects our children. As parents/guardians, we also need to take care of ourselves! During this workshop, we will discuss self-care and self-love. Learn more and register for Mental Health for the Culture.
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Dementia Caregivers Support Group, First Thursday of Each Month, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Are you a caregiver of a person with dementia? Join the Dementia Caregivers Support Group to learn, build relationships, and develop methods and skills to solve problems. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Mason Write Senior Living Community at 74 Walnut Street. To Register contact Beth Cardillo at 413-244-3246 or beth.edelbergcardillo@baystatehealth.org.
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Gender Equity Research Report, November 6, 2023, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at East Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield: Join the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts for a presentation on their latest report, Gender Equity in Western Massachusetts: The Status of Women, Girls, Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Adults and Youth. Reservations are required, seating is limited. Learn more and register for the Springfield Research Report Reveal event.
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Beyond Buzzwords: Action for Health Equity, November 16, 2023, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm: Virtually join the Massachusetts Public Health Association for their 2023 Virtual Annual Conference and Meeting. PHIWM Director of Strategy and Development Sarita Hudson will be a panelist on the "Data in Action" Panel Discussion. Learn more and register for the MPHA Annual Conference.
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Geri Pals Volunteer Program: The Geri Pals Volunteer Program at Baystate Health aims to support underserved, homebound older adults and their caregivers in greater Springfield. Volunteers spend, on average, 1-hour per week via phone or other virtual means to bring joy to someone that can greatly benefit from this human-to-human connection. Learn more about Geri Pals Volunteer Program.
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Redefining Community Wellness Grant Application Now Open, Due December 1, 2023: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) has launched the Redefining Community Wellness Grants Program to intentionally center BIPOC voices throughout the grant-making and capacity building process. Grants of up to $145,000 are available per selected BIPOC organization. Learn more about this grant opportunity.
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Clean Slate Initiative Aims to Modernize CORI System
Earlier this week PHIWM joined over 50 advocates from across the state for a Clean Slate Strategic Planning & Action Summit. This day-long meeting was laser-focused on crafting a strategy and divvying up work to pass state legislation that would modernize Massachusetts’ Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) system. People who have been involved with the criminal legal system in Massachusetts face significant barriers when it comes to sealing their CORIs even when they are eligible...
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The Summit was sponsored by Clean Slate Massachusetts, the Clean Slate Initiative, and Roxbury Community College’s Criminal Justice Program. Participants from Western MA were PHIWM’s Project Coordinator Jacqueline Velez and Andrea Freeman; Men of Color Health Awareness’ (MOCHA) Lead Facilitator Brother Al Hubert, and Live Well Springfield Resident Advisor Sonia Mendez. | |
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Research Shared at Recent Conference
We are thrilled to highlight the work of Senior Evaluation Manager Alisa Ainbinder, who recently co-authored a poster and paper with Theresa Riethle, Marie Meckel, and Dawn Gurski from the Bay Path University Physician Assistant Program. Their research aimed to dispel common misconceptions about careers in primary care and encourage PA graduates to consider this vital field. The study found that through a curriculum intervention, misconceptions were successfully addressed. This work was presented last week at the Physician Assistant Education Association Conference and is funded through a HRSA grant aimed at increasing the number of PAs pursuing careers as primary care providers in a Medically Underserved Community.
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In the News
Our projects and staff often appear in the news. Check out some of the latest:
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Victoria Hill presents the findings of the Baystate Noble Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment in August at Westfield State University. (MICHAEL BALLWAY / THE WESTFIELD NEWS) | |
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week | |
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Lead paint is the primary source of childhood lead exposure. Massachusetts has the fourth oldest housing stock in the country, making lead exposure a significant health risk for Massachusetts children. Springfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Westfield, and Chicopee are all high-risk communities for childhood lead poisoning. MA DPH data shows that lead exposure disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color, making lead exposure a critical health equity issue.
What you can do:
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Western MA Residents: We Need To Hear From You!
The Community Health Equity Survey will close on October 31, 2023.
The number of responses from Western Massachusetts residents is not where we need it to be. It is important to have representation from each of our counties because the results will be used to improve programs, make decisions about funding and resources, and support policies to improve health inequities. Please take the survey and help spread the word!
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COVID-19 News & Resources | | | | |
