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Leadership transition: Welcoming Robyn Rontal as interim executive director
For over two years, Terrisca Des Jardins has led CHRT as executive director–advancing CHRT’s portfolio and impact, maturing CHRT’s fiscal and operational strength, and realizing significant advancements in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Robyn Rontal, policy analytics director at CHRT, will step into the role as interim executive director while CHRT’s Board of Directors launches a search for a permanent replacement.
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Supporting behavioral health care providers during public health emergencies
To better support behavioral health care providers during public health emergencies, this brief focuses on 1) burnout, including interventions that target both organizational and individual causes of burnout; 2) service delivery, including ways to strengthen provider capacity to deliver services; and 3) policy changes, including ways to better support behavioral health staff members through telehealth and other mechanisms.
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Four new hires join CHRT team
Since our last newsletter, CHRT welcomed four new staff members to our communications, administrative, evaluation, and community engagement teams. These staff members will help with projects such as CHRT’s ongoing work to build a community-integrated health network, communicate about innovative mental health and police reform initiatives, analyze opportunities to improve nutrition services, and more.
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The U.S. housing crisis is magnified for people with physical disabilities. Here’s how we can help.
Affordable housing is difficult for people with physical disabilities due to their increased likelihood of being extremely low income (ELI) renters and the cost of renovations to make housing accessible. With ELI renters accounting for a quarter of all renter households, the need for accessible, affordable housing is only growing. This brief shares measures policymakers can take to mitigate the housing crisis for people with disabilities.
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Community health workers can extend the behavioral health workforce, including for CCBHCs
Community Health Workers (CHWs) have demonstrated their value in improving physical health outcomes and lowering patient healthcare costs. This brief, however, looks at the impact of CHWs in the behavioral health field. Drawing on an extensive literature review and a dozen interviews conducted with behavioral health organizations, the brief shares the value of expanding the CHW presence in the behavioral healthcare field.
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In pursuit of health equity
In 2021 CHRT produced a series of briefs to inform policymakers and practitioners about how to support caregivers, physicians, and communities throughout the pandemic; began a major Promotion of Health Equity initiative with partners across the state; completed a three-year national initiative focused on building equitable and thriving communities through integrated care; significantly advanced its focus on caregivers, who have faced tremendous stressors and setbacks during the pandemic; launched a demonstration project to provide home-based health and social care to seniors and people with disabilities; helped non-profit clients build a path toward long-term financial sustainability while advancing strategic objectives; began to systematically apply an equity lens across each project in our growing portfolio; and more. Read more in our 2021 annual report.
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CHRT launches new project
CHRT will evaluate the effects of the Peer Support Group for Mothers of Young Children Pilot Program. The pilot program, facilitated by the Children of the Rising Sun Empowerment Center in Detroit, MI, engages participants in multiple sessions to build confidence in parenting abilities, self-efficacy, and other skills. CHRT will field surveys, conduct session evaluations, and host focus groups to understand the effects of the program and identify areas of improvement.
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Community paramedicine value
A new CHRT brief describes the advantages of community paramedicine for filling treatment gaps between primary care providers and emergency care providers; treating clients in the most appropriate, comfortable, and convenient settings; diverting patients away from costly emergency department and hospital inpatient care whenever possible; and connecting patients to needed social services. A case study explores the challenges CP programs face in funding their work.
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Michigan's CCBHCs open mental health access for all, Joanne Bailey-Boorsma, MI Mental Health, Second Wave Media, February 7, 2023
Washtenaw County program connects low-level offenders to community services instead of jail time, Brooke Marshall, Second Wave Media, January 31, 2023
Obamacare in Michigan: How Affordable Care Act tax credits boosted enrollment, JC Reindl, business reporter, Detroit Free Press, January 26, 2023.
More than 700,000 Michiganders could lose Medicaid insurance in the coming months, Tracy Samilton, Michigan Radio, January 23, 2023
Researchers seek solutions for Michigan's 700,000 COVID long haulers, Estelle Slootmaker, Second Wave Media, October 27, 2022
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CHRT affiliates recognized | |
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Tony Denton, CHRT Board Chair, is transitioning to a new role as senior vice president and chief environmental, social, and governance officer.
Terrisca Des Jardins, CHRT Executive Director, to join Molina Healthcare as president of the Michigan Health Plan.
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CHRT at conferences and events | |
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Marissa Rurka and Melissa Riba, Screening and referring patients for food and housing insecurity: Findings from a survey of Michigan physicians, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Social Determinants of Health Summit, January 24, 2023
Ayse Buyuktur and Jeremy Lapedis, Creating a supportive climate for community health workers, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Social Determinants of Health Summit, January 24, 2023
Nancy Baum and Jaque King, Behavioral health workforce issues in rural America with recommendations to overcome shortages, Kansas State Legislature Special Commission on Mental Health Beds, November 28, 2023
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