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Putting Resources into Practice
The Race and Health Equity Resource Guide was developed by our Board's Race & Health Equity Committee, but we continue to add new resources as they are created and shared by regional partners and collaborations. Our hope is that it will serve as a resource for the region.
Read about one of Jessica Collins' favorite resources below.
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The Ladder of Inference is a model for understanding how people create meaning and sometimes jump to incorrect conclusions about what others have said or done. It is based on material from Chris Argyris in his work Overcoming Organizational Defenses.
Learn more about the Ladder of Inference tool:
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Help us Grow the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide!
We need YOU to keep this resource guide comprehensive and up to date! Do you have a resource that would be a great addition to the Guide? Would you like to share a story about your favorite resource and how you have used it to advance racial equity? Submit a resource here.
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PHIWM Receives Springfield ARPA Funding for Youth Mental Health | |
We are pleased to announce that the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts has been awarded $30,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Springfield. The funds will be used for the Youth Health Survey and a youth mental health communications campaign to address the health impacts and inequities from COVID-19 on youth mental health. | |
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The Massachusetts Legislature is known for its biennial flurry of activity right before its July 31 deadline, and this year was no exception. Here are brief summaries of two new laws that the MA Legislature passed, and Gov. Baker signed:
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Mental Health ABC 2.0 – This new law includes many policy changes, including the requirement for health insurers in MA to pay for free, annual mental health exams, just as they do for annual physicals. It also seeks to end Emergency Department “boarding” of people in crisis by creating a dedicated portal to find appropriate inpatient care. The law also creates an Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and a student advisory council within the Executive Office of Health & Human Services. For more information see this summary from legislative leaders and this blog post by the MA Association for Mental Health.
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Climate & Energy – This sweeping new law provides many policy changes including: major investments for solar and wind power; the creation of a Green & Healthy Schools program; a pilot program for 10 MA towns to ban new natural gas hookups; increased rebates for buying electric vehicles (EVs); and expanded charging stations. This law stops biomass from being counted as renewable energy and, after 2035, requires all new vehicles in MA to be EVs. For more information, listen to this WAMC piece.
Sadly, one key bill has not yet become law. The MA Legislature unanimously passed the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community Act (SAPHE 2.0) but Gov. Baker returned it with amendments. His proposed changes significantly weaken the bill, which is to create minimum public health standards for all communities—not just those that opt-in. The SAPHE Coalition, led by MPHA, are urging legislators to reject the Governor’s amendments and return the bill to him. Stay tuned for more advocacy opportunities for local public health!
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It's National Immunization Awareness Month | |
Get Caught Up On Routine Vaccinations | |
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of life, including your ability to attend appointments and receive routine vaccinations. We encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about getting caught up on routine vaccinations to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases.
As your children head back to school this fall, it’s particularly important for you to work with your child’s doctor or nurse to make sure they get caught up on missed well-child visits and recommended vaccines.
Remember to take care of yourself too! Make sure to receive any vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.
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The spread of monkeypox is different than the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic because:
- There is a vaccine for monkeypox.
- Monkeypox can be treated with available antiviral medicines.
- While COVID-19 passed easily from person to person, monkeypox does not spread as easily between people.
Find more information about monkeypox in these Frequently Asked Questions.
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La propagación de la viruela del simio es diferente a las primeras etapas de la pandemia de COVID-19 porque:
- Hay una vacuna para viruela simio (viruela del mono)
- La viruela del mono se puede tratar con medicamentos antivirales disponibles.
- Como el COVID-19 se transmite fácilmente de persona a persona, la viruela del simio no se propaga tan fácilmente entre las personas.
Encuentre más información sobre la viruela del simio en estas Preguntas frecuentes.
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Guidance for 2022-23 School Year
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) have issued new guidance about COVID for the coming school year. The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. For more information, read DESE’s guidance for schools and DPH’s guidance on isolation and quarantine.
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Updated Guidance for COVID Exposures
The CDC and the state of MA updated its guidance for people who are exposed to COVID-19. Those who are exposed, regardless of vaccination status, no longer need to quarantine. However, they should still wear a mask for 10 days and get tested for the virus on Day 5.
People who test positive for COVID should still isolate at home for 5 days or longer, depending on the longevity of symptoms.
This updated guidance also applies to K-12 schools and early child care. Exposed children or staff, regardless of vaccination status, no longer need to quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic.
The general recommendations around masking continue to depend on the CDC’s COVID Community Levels, which recommend that people wear mask indoors in places where community Covid-19 levels are high. Good ventilation and masking are still important tools that can be used help prevent the spread of the virus.
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Guía Actualizada para Exposiciones a COVID
El CDC y el estado de MA actualizaron su guía para las personas expuestas al COVID-19. Aquellos que están expuestos, independientemente del estado de vacunación, ya no necesitan ponerse en cuarentena. Sin embargo, aún deben usar una máscara durante 10 días y hacerse la prueba del virus el día 5.
Las personas que dan positivo en la prueba de COVID aún deben aislarse en casa durante 5 días o más, según la duración de los síntomas.
Esta guía actualizada también se aplica a las escuelas K-12 y al cuidado de niños pequeños. Los niños o el personal expuestos, independientemente del estado de vacunación, ya no necesitan ponerse en cuarentena mientras permanezcan asintomáticos.
Las recomendaciones generales sobre el uso de mascarillas continúan dependiendo de los Niveles comunitarios de COVID de los CDC, que recomiendan que las personas usen mascarillas en interiores en lugares donde los niveles comunitarios de Covid-19 son altos. La buena ventilación y el enmascaramiento siguen siendo herramientas importantes que se pueden usar para ayudar a prevenir la propagación del virus.
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Novavax Vaccine Available
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available in Massachusetts for individuals ages 18 and older. Novavax uses a reliable protein-based vaccine technology that has been used for over 30 years in other common vaccines, such as Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and HPV. To locate a clinic offering Novavax, use the Vaxfinder.
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Vacuna Novavax esta Disponible
La vacuna Novavax COVID-19 ahora está disponible en Massachusetts para personas mayores de 18 años. Novavax utiliza una tecnología de vacuna confiable basada en proteínas que se ha utilizado durante más de 30 años en otras vacunas comunes, como la hepatitis B, el tétanos y el VPH. Para ubicar una clínica que ofrezca Novavax, use Vaxfinder.
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Communicating With Families about COVID-19 Vaccination
Work with families? This resource from Head Start offers strategies for guiding conversations about COVID-19 vaccines for young children.
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Comunicación con las familias sobre la vacunación contra el COVID-19
¿Trabajar con familias? Este recurso de Head Start ofrece estrategias para orientar las conversaciones sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-19 para niños pequeños.
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Vaccination for Children with Complex Medical Needs
Parents with children with complex medical needs may have particular questions and concerns about the COVID vaccine for their child. Find lots of answers and resources about the COVID vaccine for children with complex needs here.
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Vacunación para Niños con Necesidades Médicas Complejas
Los padres de niños con necesidades médicas complejas pueden tener preguntas e inquietudes específicas sobre la vacuna contra el COVID para sus hijos. Encuentre muchas respuestas y recursos sobre la vacuna COVID para niños con necesidades complejas aquí.
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COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
If you or someone you know lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for financial assistance or reimbursement for funeral expenses from FEMA. Learn more.
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Asistencia Funeraria COVID-19
Si usted o alguien que conoce perdió a un ser querido debido al COVID-19, puede ser elegible para recibir asistencia financiera o reembolso de gastos funerarios de FEMA. Aprende más.
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Events
- Holyoke Overdose Awareness Day, 8/31/22, 2:00 -5:00pm at Veteran's Park
- Westfield's International Overdose Awareness Vigil, 8/31/22, 6:30pm- 8:30pm at Park Square
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Pittsfield Overdose Awareness Day Memorial and Vigil, 8/31/22, 5:30pm at The Common Park 100 1st Street Pittsfield then walk to Park Square (1 Bank Row)
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2022 Berkshire County Suicide Prevention Conference, 9/15/22 at 8:30am: The Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention in partnership with Berkshire Health Systems, The Brien Center, NAMI Berkshire County, The Austen Riggs Center, Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Suicide Prevention Program, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Alliance for Equity are proud to offer this year’s conference free of charge. Register Now.
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5k Run for Recovery, 9/17/22 at 9am: In the spirit of Recovery Month, Mercy Medical Center presents to you: Run for Recovery 5k!! This is a community engagement event that will bring together family, friends, providers, and other allies to those who are impacted by substance use. Learn more and sign up.
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Resources
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988 Mental Health Line: 988 mental health line is officially live! This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. If you call or text 988 you will be connected to support for mental health-related distress. Here's where you'll be connected in Massachusetts. Learn more.
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