The Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.
January 18, 2021
Member Spotlight
A Point of Light During the Pandemic:
New Baby for the Grice Family
The Community Health Center Association staff welcome Sadie Jane Grice, daughter of Joseph Grice. Sadie was born on December 29, 2020, weighing 4 lb 5 oz and 18.25” long. Joseph's wife, Amy, and Sadie are doing well. Joseph, Amy, and their two older children, Taylor and Preston, are enjoying the new year with the new family member.

"Taylor and Preston are overjoyed by Sadie!" said Joseph, IPA Director at CHCAMS. "Taylor never wants to put her down, and Preston is excited about his role as a big brother to love, shelter, protect, and encourage her."
Register Now for the Legislative Awards Event Tomorrow
12:30 - 1 p.m.,
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Reminder: Please register and plan to attend the Legislative Awards online event on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 12:30 - 1 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for best attendance - health center large and small. Please join us as we celebrate our lawmakers and Community Health Centers! To receive the Zoom link for the event, click here.

Vaccine Demand and Supply Update 1-15-2021
CHCAMS continues to advocate for Mississippi Community Health Centers to receive the vaccines and the support needed from the state to help Mississippi's rural and most vulnerable populations.

Letters and communication to the state health officer detailing the vaccine distribution situation were sent with requests to address the disparities.

While the supply side of vaccine distribution from the federal to the state governments to the local partners is rapidly changing, CHCAMS will continue to monitor and communicate updates.

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced by news release on Friday, January 15, 2021 "that additional COVID-19 vaccine was allocated to Mississippi this week.

The additional allotments will support ongoing vaccination appointments at drive-through sites next week and allow for a modest amount of doses to be shared with community partners.

The additional vaccine will be distributed to community partners in a manner that seeks to address both geographic and racial disparities.

(SDOH) anticipate(s) that (it) will have additional drive-through appointments in more locations, the week of January 25, based on vaccine forecasted to be available at the end of next week.

MSDH anticipates steady vaccine supply to support scheduled vaccine appointments at drive-through clinics, and second doses will be available for all persons who have already received a first dose.

The anticipated arrival of significantly more vaccine in February is in addition to the steady, modest supply that we are currently receiving weekly."
COVID-19 Vaccine Q &A
Can Be Found Here. 12-30-2020
CHCAMS Hosts CHCs Vaccine Champions Group
The CHCAMS Vaccine Champions group
meets weekly to provide technical assistance to health centers to navigate the phases of preparedness and provider enrollment for administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Contact Sonja Fuqua for the Zoom link.
Online Resources for Providers Planning to Give COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Mississippi State Department of Health has information available to CHCs and other partners that will administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Visit the Health Department site here.
COVID-19 Clearinghouse
To access the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse, please email Kathryn Rodenmeyer for the link.
RTAT Survey...Currently at 75%, Aiming for 100%
MS-CHC Participation

Thanks to all who have completed the survey. For those health centers that have not completed the survey, there is still time. The RTAT survey is just one of the programs under the CHCAMS Health Professions Education and Training Initiative. The link for the survey is here.
REPAAIR / UPLIFT Health Equity Program Launched, Recruiting Student Ambassadors
The Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (CHCAMS), in partnership with Central Mississippi Health Services, Inc. (CMHS), has developed a patient-centered health equity and social justice program. The foundation of this effort is the REPAAIR (Realizing Equity by Preparing Ambassadors to Address Institutional Racism) initiative.

The UPLIFT (Understanding Patient Language about Inequity to Facilitate Transformation) project will capture patient stories through narrative interviewing and storytelling. Ambassadors will use a case method approach to develop a patient-centered language and framework for discussing the social determinants of health.

The REPAAIR initiative provides an opportunity for college students at Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, and Hinds Community College to engage in training and service-learning activities that help them understand the historical and contemporary factors that have contributed to disparate health outcomes among Black Mississippians and communities of color.

REPAAIR Ambassadors will be required to participate in five educational Zoom meetings, participate in mentoring sessions, complete community engagement activities, and complete a service project.

For more information contact Desiree Stinson at 601-981-1817 or dstinson@chcams.org.
CHCAMS Training Updates

Check your inbox for the
CHCAMS Training Newsletter each Wednesday.

To sign up for the training newsletter,
please contact Desiree Stinson.
News To Use
Funding Opportunities
Grants with ongoing deadlines can be found here .
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