Community Health Connections
July 2022 - Vol.3, Issue 6
Meet Michael LaRoche, our new Local Food Systems Coordinator
Newly arrived in Johnstown, Michael comes to us from the Pacific Northwest as well as the California Coast. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and recipient of the James Beard Foundation Culinary Scholarship Award. He has worked in and around food throughout his life, ranging from being behind the stove in some of Seattle’s Top Award winning Restaurants to developing a Series of Farm to Table Butcher Shops across the Puget Sound, and a healthy deli concept for the regions local food co-ops. He has owned his own deli that cured smoked and created all its own meats sourced from local farms. He was part of the team that developed the Hyatt’s First Farm to Table restaurant featuring products grown and produced within a 150 mile radius of the hotel. He has taught at the local culinary school, and most recently was the Chef/Culinary director for the famed Esalen retreat center in Big Sur California. In this role for the center he will be bringing his passion for local food and exploring the many links along our local food chain and working to add ways to enhance and develop it to improve the health of our community.
Community Health Workers can open Employment Pathway to help participants
When a Community Health Worker (CHW) visits with their participant, the Employment Pathway is one of the 21 Pathways that can be identified as a need. Once the participant recognizes that Employment is necessary and wants to find a job, the CHW opens the Pathway.
A participant can list many reasons they are looking for a job whether it be because they are unemployed, or employed but in need of:
  • Higher pay
  • Benefits
  • Safer conditions
  • More Hours
  • Childcare
  • Steady
  • Work
  • Other
While mental illness can affect people of any race, ethnicity, or background, racial minorities often face unique struggles. To understand those struggles better, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month began in 2008 and has taken place every July since.

This year’s theme “Beyond the Numbers” calls attention to the history of minorities and how their resilience was born from oppression, persecution, and abuse.
Economic Stability
Economic stability is a major domain of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affecting nearly every aspect of a person’s health.

“Poor families and individuals are most likely to live in unsafe homes and neighborhoods, often with limited access to healthy foods, employment options, and quality schools,” writes Healthy People 2030.

According to Healthy People 2030, 1 in 10 people in the United States live in poverty. Locally, the city of Johnstown has a 38 percent poverty rate.
News Bites
1889 JCPH sponsors Health and Wellness Night at Mill Rats game
With about 30 organizations focusing on physical and mental health or social services, the July 8 Johnstown Mill Rats game Health and Wellness Fair was a success. 615 fans entered the gate, visiting each of the organization's tables, and learning a little bit more about what the area has to offer its residents. There were also a slew of fun activities for kids, including button making, golf, jumbo Connect 4 and Jenga, and more!

Special thanks to the organizations who attended!
Johnstown Farmers' Market accepts SNAP
The Johnstown Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP (food stamps). The SNAP card can be used to purchase local healthy food every Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market is held in Central Park.
Congressman John Joyce, M.D. visits with 1889 JCPH and 1889 Foundation
Staff from1889 JCPH and 1889 Foundation recently had the pleasure of meeting with Congressman John Joyce, M.D., to discuss public and population health priorities in Cambria and Somerset counties.

We want to thank the Congressman for this important discussion on opportunities to improve the health of the residents in our region.
Tested positive with an at-home Covid test? What to know:
  • Stay at home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home
  • Tell your close contacts
  • Wear a well-fitted mask around others (e.g. N95 or KN95 respirator)
  • Watch for symptoms
  • Seek emergency care immediately if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or have pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds (depending on skin tone)
  • Tell your healthcare provider
  • Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or if you have questions about your isolation

If you need at-home test kits for your organization, contact CPHInfo@jefferson.edu.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by dialing or texting 988
988 is the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Individuals calling, texting, or chatting 988 will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network.

*The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will still remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

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