|
SVCHC Newsletter
February
| |
|
|
February is known as the month of love. We hope you fall in love with yourself again! Take this time to cherish friendship, celebrate dreams and goals, and refocus on living an intentional life.
“What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?”
(Eleanor Roosevelt)
| |
 |
If you are struggling this month when many other people are celebrating love. Check this great article from "Mind." It will give you great tools to observe this month by celebrating YOU!
***********************************************************************
Many of us are surrounded by ideals of relationships we see on TV, in advertising, and on social media. This can be true whether we're in a relationship or not.
That's why days that are supposed to celebrate love and togetherness can highlight how different, lonely, or low we might feel.
"Mind" used this day as an opportunity to share advice and personal stories which might help if you're struggling, today or any day.
They have information on:
Loneliness
Feeling lonely isn't a mental health problem in itself. But it's something that a lot of people with mental health problems struggle with.
There are many reasons that you might feel. For some of us, certain life events may mean we feel lonely. For example, going through a relationship break-up or bereavement.
But it's not always about not having people around. You can be in a relationship and still feel lonely, especially if you don’t feel understood or cared for by the people around you.
If you're feeling lonely, we have some tips for managing loneliness which may help.
For more information, click here
| |
|
LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU
| |
COVERED CA & MEDI-CAL COVERAGE | |
|
Covered CA: 1 - 800 -300-1506
January 31st was the deadline for Covered CA Open Enrollment. However, there were two extensions if people were unable to sign up
-
Limited time only- Special enrollment QLE (qualifying life event) under " needed more time to enroll" from February 1st - March 26th
-
Yearly- Special enrollment period would be from February through October 2024, allowing enrollment only under qualified life events.
To learn more, click the following link: Covered California
| |
|
Medi-Cal: 1-877-699-6868
- Continues moving forward with renewals/redeterminations after the end of Public Health Emergency (March 2023).
- Beneficiaries who are over income ( and * whose immigration status qualifies) will be transferred to Covered CA. They have 60 days from the notification letter to choose a plan and make a binding payment.
Medi-Cal Expansion as of January 1st:
- Full coverage expanded to individuals 26 – 49 yrs old. This means that any individual, regardless of age and immigration status, may now qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal based on their household income.
- Assets limits have increased - the new law means there will be no asset limits starting in 2024. Applications will not ask for asset information starting and Medi-Cal will consider income information, but not assets.
To learn more, click the following link: Medi-Cal
| |
|
We encourage you to visit our website for more information.
Learn more here
| |
|
Would you like to learn more about health coverage and Medi-Cal?
SVCHC is hosting educational presentations for you.
Check below for the upcoming event in February.
Take advantage of this informative event!
| |
|
Do you have MyChart?
Scan the QR Code below to learn how this great tool can make your health connection easier, more effective, and more enjoyable!
| |
|
A note from Doctor Smith:
As the Pediatrician for the Health Center, I not only see children from newborns to young adults, but also serve as a consultant to the rest of the provider and back office staff on more complicated pediatric cases and issues. In Pediatrics, our primary orientation is to monitor children’s growth and development such that infants grow up to be healthy well-developed adults. This means screening for things we can do something about and treating things that we do identify with evidence-based interventions to minimize their impact on the child’s overall developmental path.
| |
Learn simple, fun, and healthy cooking recipes with Sonoma Valley Community Health Center! | |
The IRS has different Tax Credits, and United Way can help you file your taxes this year. Learn more below: | |
Key 2024 filing season dates
- January 12: IRS Free File opens.
- January 16: Due date for 2023 fourth quarter estimated tax payments.
- January 26: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day.
- January 29: Filing season start date for individual tax returns.
- April 15: Due date of filing a tax return or requesting an extension for most of the nation.
- October 15: Due date for extension filers.
-
Local residents dial 2-1-1 or 800-325-9604 for help.
For more information, click here
| |
|
We are hiring and you can be our next great candidate! Check out the following positions!
Not looking for a job right now? Share it with those who are interested!
| |
We need volunteers for different projects and events! Email us here if you wish to make a difference in our community through SVCHC. | |
|
Remember to stay up to date through our social media platforms, where you'll find videos, resources, and information on current topics.
Subscribe today!
| |
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. | |
|
February is American Heart Month, and this is a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Here is some information we hope can educate you more about your cardiovascular health.
What Is Heart Disease?
When people talk about heart disease, they’re usually talking about coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD). When someone has CHD, the coronary arteries (tubes) that take blood to the heart are narrow or blocked. This happens when cholesterol and fatty material, called plaque, build up inside the arteries.
Several things can lead to plaque building up inside your arteries, including:
- Too much cholesterol in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Too much sugar in the blood because of diabetes
When plaque blocks an artery, it’s hard for blood to flow to the heart. A blocked artery can cause chest pain or a heart attack.
Signs of a Heart Attack
- Pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest — or a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness
- Pain or discomfort in the upper body — like the arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper stomach (above the belly button)
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing (while resting or being active)
- Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up
- Stomach ache or feeling like you have heartburn
- Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or unusually tired
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
Not everyone who has a heart attack will have all the signs or symptoms. Learn more about the signs of a heart attack in the link at the end of this article.
Don’t ignore changes in how you feel. Symptoms of a heart attack often come on suddenly. But sometimes, they develop slowly — hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack happens.
Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired for several days, or if you develop any new health problems (like pain or trouble breathing). It's also important to talk to your doctor if existing health issues (like pain) are bothering you more than usual.
If you’ve had a heart attack in the past, it’s important to know the symptoms. A new heart attack might be different from your last one — so talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about how you feel.
Am I at risk for heart disease?
Anyone can get heart disease, but you’re at higher risk if you:
- Have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- Smoke
- Are overweight or have obesity
- Don't get enough physical activity
- Don't eat a healthy diet
Your age and family history also affect your risk for heart disease. Your risk is higher if:
- You’re a woman over age 55
- You’re a man over age 45
- Your father or brother had heart disease before age 55
- Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65
But the good news is there's a lot you can do to prevent heart disease.
To help prevent heart disease, you can:
- Eat healthy
- Get active
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
- Drink alcohol only in moderation
- Manage stress
-
Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. It’s important to get your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. Starting at age 18, get your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure has no symptoms.
- Know your family’s health history.
-
Ask your doctor about taking aspirin every day. If you’re 40 to 59 years old, taking aspirin every day may lower your risk of heart attack and stroke — but doctors don’t recommend it for everyone. Talk with your doctor to find out if taking aspirin is the right choice for you.
-
Talk to your doctor about taking medicine to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Experts recommend that some people ages 40 to 75 take medicines called statins if they’re at high risk for heart attack and stroke.
To learn more check this Source
| |
|
More than 40% of all diagnosed cancers and nearly 50% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States can be attributed to preventable causes.
While there is no certain way to prevent cancer, things like excess body weight, physical inactivity, smoking, and prolonged exposure to the sun increase the chances. You can lower those risks through healthy lifestyle choices, getting recommended cancer screenings, and vaccinating against certain viruses.
Check these 6 Simple Steps For Cancer Prevention
Maintain an active lifestyle and a healthy weight
- Eat a plant-based diet and decrease your intake of higher-calorie food.
- Limit processed meats and alcohol.
- Include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine. Doctors recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity.
Avoid smoking and tobacco products
- All forms of tobacco products have many chemicals that damage DNA and cause cancer.
- No forms are safe including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco/snuff, hookas/waterpipes, and even secondhand smoke.
- If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about products and strategies available to support you.
Sun protection
- Stay out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Generously use sunscreen, cover exposed areas with hats or loose clothing, and utilize the shady areas when outdoors.
- Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps.
Get Immunized
- Certain viruses can cause cancer. There are vaccines that have been proven to be effective to reduce your risk.
- The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine can significantly decrease the risk of several cancers including cervical, throat, tongue, anal, and other genital cancers.
- The Hepatitis B vaccine decreases the risk of liver cancer.
Get Screened
- Regular screenings help detect cancers early and maximize your chance for successful treatment.
Know Your Family History
- 5-10% of all cancers are inherited.
- Understanding your family history can help guide your discussion with your physician about when you need to start cancer screening and whether to consider genetic counseling.
Source
************************************************************************
CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control leads nationwide efforts to eliminate preventable cancers and improve cancer survivors’ health and well-being. It is dedicated to helping all people reduce their cancer risk and get the right screening tests at the right time. It works with communities to help develop and implement effective cancer prevention and control practices.
Their Programs
For more information, check the CDC's website.
| |
February is National Children's Dental Health Month | |
|
This observance aims to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and others.
For more information, access the tool kit here.
| |
 | |
February is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the essential contributions of Black people to the story of America, which are often overlooked and under-recognized.
During Black/African American History Month, we honor the culture and contributions of the African American community and especially honor and express gratitude for the health center movement that sprung from the 1960s Black Civil Rights Movement. Thanks to this movement, FQHCs exist in the United States, serving underserved and low-income communities and being primary care providers for more than 30 million individuals.
The Story of Black History Month
Born as a sharecropper in 1875, Carter G. Woodson became a teacher and the second African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard. In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and eventually became known as the "father of Black history."
On Feb. 7, 1926, Woodson announced the creation of "Negro History Week" to encourage and expand the teaching of Black history in schools. He selected February because the month marks the birthday of the two most famous abolitionists of the time -- Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Feb. 1 is also National Freedom Day, a celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the US.
By the 1940s, schools in Woodson's home state of West Virginia had begun expanding the celebration to a month, and by the 1960s, demands for proper Black history education spread across the country. Kent State's Black United Students proposed the idea of a Black History Month in 1969 and celebrated the first event in February 1970. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the US bicentennial.
Here are some ideas you can do to recognize it.
1.- Visit a Black or African American history museum
2.- Learn about Black music history by listening online
3.- Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants
4.- Donate to Black organizations and charities
5.- Attend local Black History Month events
6.- Watch Black history documentaries and movies
7.- Find Black authors and stories for yourself and your children
8.- Dive deeper into Black history with online resources here
Source
| |
-
For questions regarding renewing Medi-Cal or questions about Covered California, please get in touch with the SVCHC Eligibility Team at (707)939-6070 or by email: eligibility@svchc.org
-
Appointments for the W.I.C. Office must be made via phone before visits. Please call 707-565-6590. New location: 19080 Lomitas Ave. Sonoma, CA.
-
REFB Food Distribution is at SVCHC every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Distribution hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or until supply lasts.
-
SRJC is offering FREE ESL noncredit classes. For more information, click this link.
For more community resources, visit our website.
Community Resources
| |
|
Thank you for investing in the health of the Sonoma Valley community.
Sonoma Valley Community Health Center has been on the front lines, providing care to our community since 1992. Low-wage jobs, minimal health benefits, and high living cost mean too many of our neighbors lack access to affordable health care. SVCHC spends approximately $1 million each year on providing care to our patients who are under or uninsured. Thanks to generous, community-minded people like you, we can ensure that all of our neighbors have access to quality care.
Thank you for your support!
| |
OUR MISSION: To provide accessible quality health care to those who need it, especially the underserved.
OUR VISION: To be recognized as a leader in providing patient and community-centered care in collaboration with other organizations.
707-939-6070 * www.svchc.org * community@svchc.org
| | | | |
