IMPACT REPORT

SVCHC is proud to share its IMPACT REPORT 2022. Thank you to our staff, partners, and volunteers for their support in 2022.

COVID-19 UPDATE REMINDER

Please remember that the current California health order requires anyone entering our building to wear a mask. 

• Patients with scheduled appointments should receive a phone call no earlier than 24 hours before determining symptoms. Patients showing specific symptoms will be asked to remain in their cars, and providers will come to patients' cars to be seen. We would greatly appreciate your cooperation as SVCHC works to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff. 
• You may notice that our staff are wearing masks. This is our effort to keep our patients safe.
• If you need help, please call SVCHC at (707)939-6070, or for an emergency, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
• Please note that behavioral health services will continue via telehealth and during clinic services. If you need assistance call (707)939-6070.

COVID -19 TESTING

• CURATIVE provides Covid-19 testing at SVUSD during the week. For an appointment or other CURATIVE sites, click here. 

• LHI provides Covid-19 testing on Saturdays at Sonoma Valley Community Health Center's parking lot. For an appointment or other LHI sites, you can click here.

Bivalent Booster Shots

What you need to know

• Bivalent: The authorized bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, or updated boosters, include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.

• As of 12/13/2022 bivalent vaccines age ranged lowered to 6 months.

Which brand to get?

• Moderna Bivalent Booster It is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals six months of age and older.

• Pfizer BioNTech Bivalent Booster It is approved for use as a single booster dose in individuals five years of age and older and as a third dose for ages 6 months to 4 years.

When to get it?

• Bivalent Booster: At least two months after their primary dose or any previous monovalent booster.

SVCHC Vaccination clinic hours for boosters 

• Wednesdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

• As of now, we only have Wednesday clinics scheduled until the first week of January. (01/04/2023). Stay tuned for new updates.

Additional Dose- Moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages six months and older who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional dose at least eight weeks after their second dose. People ages six months and older who completed their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional dose at least 28 days after their second dose.

Please note: physical paper vaccination cards are required for 2nd and booster doses.

For questions, please email us at community@svchc.org or call us at 707-939-6070 or click this link.

To check our calendar, visit our website below:

Did you know that SVCHC is a FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE accessible to the community?

The Redwood Empire Food Bank distribution is every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. The Food Distribution takes place from 8:45am to 9:45am or until supply lasts. 

Members of the community are welcome to come to receive food and/or also to help with the distribution. If you would like to volunteer for these events follow this link

For more information about other food distribution sites, visit this link.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT

SVCHC's HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!

Thank you for celebrating the diversity of various holidays during the winter season on December 8th. The array of musical performances and the participation of different organizations made this event meaningful.

A special "Thank you" to Garland Lamb, Craig Griffeath, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen, Vintage House Singers, and Tirso Herrera.

The spirit of this holiday season was definitely felt by those present. May you carry the same spirit throughout the rest of the year!

Let's celebrate this Holiday Season safely!

This isn’t just the time of year when we eat more than usual; it’s also when we have the most household accidents and fires.

To help make sure your holidays don’t go from merry to scary, remember these Twelve Holiday Safety Tips.

1. Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources – especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. And remember to blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
2. The best decorations are safe decorations, so when you are decorating, make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks.
3. If you have a natural Christmas tree, water it to keep it fresh and safe. Real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all. Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage.
4. Always turn off your decorations when you leave your home and sleep. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.
5. Be mindful of how you are using electrical outlets. If you’re using extension cords or adapters that add receptacles, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home. Extension cords are a common cause of home fires.
6. Only use electronics in dry areas. As tempting as it is, you can’t decorate your aquarium with icicle lights.
7. Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand. We all love falling asleep to the muffled crooning of Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, but overheated electronics under pillows and blankets are dangerous.
8. Need a perfect gift idea? How about a smoke alarm? Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, including the basement. And remember to test your own to make sure they’re working.
9. If using a space heater, switch it off before leaving the room. It only takes seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with something combustible, like a blanket or curtains.
10. Inspect your decorations and discard any damaged or worn out. Talk to your aunt about that life-sized Elvis-dressed-as-Santa statue. It’s falling apart, creepy, and it has got to go.
11. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets. Eating a battery can be deadly.
12. The best gift for your family is to upgrade to Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers or outlets. It is estimated that half of the yearly electrical fires could be prevented by AFCIs. A qualified electrician should complete all upgrades.

Source

MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON:  64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse. A NAMI study showed, "For many people, the holiday season is not always the most beautiful time of the year."-

The holidays can be a joy-filled season, but they can also be stressful and especially challenging for those impacted by mental illness.

For more information, visit the NAMI Website.

Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a bit of planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

Follow these tips to prevent holiday stress and depression:

1. Acknowledge your feelings
2. Reach out
3. Be realistic
4. Set aside differences
5. Stick to a budget
6. Plan ahead
7. Learn to say no
8. Don't abandon healthy habits
9. Take a breather
10. Seek professional help if you need it.

To dive into these tips, navigate this website.

DECEMBER IS UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH

The international community observes Human Rights Day every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.

Latest and past observances of Human Rights Day

2022 - 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2021 - All human- All equal

2020 - Recover Better

2019 - Youth Standing Up for Human Rights

2018 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70

2017 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70

2016 - Stand up for someone's rights today

2015 - Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.

2014 - #Rights365

2013 - 20 Years Working for Your Rights

2012 - My Voice counts

2011 - Celebrate human rights!

2010 - Speak up, Stop Discrimination

2009 - Embrace Diversity, End Discrimination

2007-2008 - 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2006 - Fighting Poverty: A Matter of Obligation, Not Charity

2005 - Torture and the Global Efforts to Combat it

2004 - Human Rights Education

To learn more, click here

Two important human rights are health and being treated equally.

People with HIV are entitled to have these rights. The following article will help you learn how to validate the rights they deserve.

December 1st was World AIDS Day!

People with HIV can feel alone with their diagnosis, afraid to share their status for fear of rejection. But with love, support, and treatment, people with HIV can live full and healthy lives.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent stigma.

• Get the facts on HIV

Learn the basics about how HIV is acquired, prevented, and treated. Facts reduce misunderstanding and decrease the stigma associated with HIV.

• Understand the impact of HIV stigma

HIV stigma can happen in any setting. The words we use matter. Choosing intentional, thoughtful language and talking openly about HIV helps normalize the subject.

• Show your support every day for people with HIV

Embrace friends and loved ones when they disclose their HIV status and encourage them to get in and stay in care.

Take action against HIV stigma by visiting this site

In December, we look forward to getting together with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. It’s also a time when prevention can play an especially important role. December is a deadly month for impaired driving.



The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019 during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, 210 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. That’s 210 people in one week who didn’t make it home because either they or someone with whom they came in contact chose to use alcohol and then get behind the wheel. That same year, more than 10,000 people died from drunk driving crashes alone. In other words. Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019. These deaths were all preventable.

To find out what you can do to prevent more deaths, click here

Do you need help caring for your pets?

Pets Lifeline is excited to help low-income residents with veterinarian and pet care costs for up to $200 per household with a household maximum income of $2400/month.

They ask veterinarians to send them an invoice directly, as they cannot reimburse pet owners. 

If you come across a pet owner who could benefit from this program, please share this information. If the owner does not have access to a printer, the owner can also connect directly with Theresa Rhodes at theresa@petslifeline.org or 707-996-4577 ext. 110 

Stay updated through our social media platforms, where you will find videos, resources, and information about current topics.

Subscribe today! 

COVERED CALIFORNIA RENEWALS 

The SVCHC eligibility & enrollment team will be happy to help you if you have any questions.

To make an appointment call: (707) 939-6070

Thank you for investing in health for Sonoma Valley children, families, and seniors.

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 the 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!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

· Appointments for SVCHC W.I.C Office must be made via phone prior to visits. Please call 707-565-6590.

· REFB Food Distribution is at SVCHC every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Distribution hours are from 8:45 am-9:45 am or until supply lasts. 

· Visit the Sonoma County Website for more info about Covid-19 vaccine clinics and testing.

To find more community resources available click the button below.

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Sonoma Valley Community Health Center | Sonoma, CA

Mission: To provide accessible quality health care to those who need it, especially the underserved.

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