Across the state in 2019, networks like Community Care of Western North Carolina (CCWNC) consolidated with Community Care of North Carolina to prepare for Medicaid Transformation. Seeing an opportunity to continue as a home for community programs and leverage its culture of success and experience as a fiduciary agent, CCWNC has rebranded itself, and is now known as CareReach.
Our current programs include Hepatitis C Bridge Counseling, McDowell Access to Care and Health, and McDowell Impact, a collaborative peer support network. CareReach also funds a lead navigator position for MAHEC's Project CARA and an innovative transportation coordination pilot.
CareReach has established itself anew and remains an independent 501(c)(3) ready to meet the health needs of Western North Carolina residents.
We have also moved to new offices at 900 Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. Please visit our new website to see more about what we’re up to!
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Welcoming McDowell Impact
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McDowell Impact
, McDowell County's first-ever peer support program, is an innovative, multi-agency collaboration utilizing peer support specialists to promote and support recovery. Funded by Kate B. Reynolds Charity Trust, the program is in its second year and comes to CareReach from its original home, McDowell Mission Ministries.
McDowell Impact supports individuals across McDowell County who struggle with substance use and co-occurring challenges like infectious disease, family separation, chronic homelessness and overdose. Our certified peer support specialists help their community navigate recovery and access resources to keep them safe, healthy and connected.
Peer Supports are co-located at:
- McDowell Mission Ministries to reduce homelessness by supporting those transitioning into permanent housing from homelessness and promoting their independence.
- McDowell County Department of Social Services to support families at risk for foster care placement and to increase the number of families reunified.
- McDowell County EMS- Community Paramedic Program to support those who have experienced overdose, or are at high risk of overdose, and to increase access to treatment and immediate support.
- McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) to connect those diagnosed with infectious diseases, including Hepatitis C, to appropriate and effective treatment.
We are thrilled to have this amazing team of individuals join us and are grateful for the opportunity to support people on the journey toward recovery. For more information, visit the McDowell Impact page on our website.
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World Hepatitis Day
is observed annually on July 28th, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925–2011) who discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967, and 2 years later, developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. Viral hepatitis
affects millions of people worldwide
, causing more than one million deaths each year
.
Organizations across the globe, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize World Hepatitis Day as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about viral hepatitis. This year’s theme of World Hepatitis Day is to Find the Missing Millions.
The CDC estimates that there are 2.4 million people living with Hepatitis C and about
50% of these individuals do not know they are infected
.
Hepatitis A and B are preventable through vaccination, but there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. People with chronic hepatitis C can live for years without symptoms or feeling sick and left untreated, it can cause liver disease, liver cancer, and even death. Hepatitis C is curable and for most people it involves taking oral medications for 8-12 weeks and cures over 90% of people with few side effects.
To help address the impact of Hepatitis C in Western North Carolina, CareReach operates a
bridge counseling
program that links individuals to medical care for treatment and to community resources that support an individual’s overall health and wellness. Bridge counselors are available in several counties throughout NC, including five counselors across the western part of the state. We are fortunate to have Michelle Goyeau, LCSW, LCAS, as the Bridge Counselor at CareReach.
Initially funded by the NC Division of Public Health, the
Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services
assumed support of the program in 2019 and CareReach is pleased to announce the continued funding of the program for FY 2020-2021.
Since the inception of the program in December 2017, a total of 304 individuals have been referred to Bridge Counseling. More than 50% (168) of individuals responded to outreach and chose to enroll in the program. Through June 30
th
, 2020,
68 individuals have completed treatment
, and 45 individuals have completed their 12-week post treatment lab work and have been cured of Hepatitis C.
CareReach is also proud to announce another facet of our work improving care for individuals with Hepatitis C. Sarah Hensley, a peer support specialist with the
McDowell Impact
program, works with individuals in recovery who have been diagnosed with an infectious disease. She has recently been accepted to a peer advocacy program called
Hepatitis Ambassadors for Change
where she will have access to further harm reduction training, participate in advocacy efforts and receive certification as a trainer on Hepatitis-related topics.
On World Hepatitis Day, and every other, CareReach is honored to be part of the effort to improve care and health outcomes for individuals living with, and treating, Hepatitis C.
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CareReach | 828-348-4838 | www.carereachnc.org
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Communities working together for the health of all.
Integrity
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Collaboration
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Agility
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