COVID-19 has forced us as a society to reexamine the ways in which we are delivering services of all kinds. Our field of school health is no different. With schools closed, yet health care needs still present, we must remain true to our purpose and find innovative ways to continue to support the health of Oregon’s youth.
A recent report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tells us that health services for children, such as vaccines, time sensitive cognitive screenings, dental, and mental health care, have dramatically decreased since the beginning of COVID-19. We also know that COVID-19 and other disasters like the wild fires are heavily impacting communities of color and exacerbating the health disparities that have always existed. Taken together, there is a clear crisis for our children and youth of color. How can our field of school health work to address this issue? How might we redesign our models of care to ensure that we are able to meet needs in new ways that are truly equitable?
In this newsletter we welcome Zeenia Junkeer, Director of the Oregon Health Equity Alliance, as she presents a number of questions and considerations for us to ponder. While reading, let us all ask ourselves - what actions can we take to uplift those that are most impacted?
Maureen Hinman
OSBHA Interim Executive Director
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Showing up for communities: The importance of disaggregated data and addressing systemic racism.
I want to begin by honoring the immense wisdom and strength of Native, Black, and Brown communities. Not just in this time of COVID-19, but always, many of us carry our ancestors with us and while the resilience we experience is undoubtedly tied to a long history of colonized, racist, and xenophobic policies, practices, and actions; it is also a result of the inherent strengths of our communities---rooted in intergenerational wisdom, collective care, and community-oriented practices.
Oregon passed HB 2134 in 2013, the Implementation of Race, Ethnicity, and Language, Disability (REAL-D) framework for disaggregated data which set the stage for a deeper understanding of communities across Oregon by allowing people to identify their race and ethnicity and offering many more options than the standard OMB five categories for race and ethnicity, in addition to language and disability questions.
In March, the data being collected across the state about COVID-19 positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths began to show trends that mirrored health inequities that long preceded Coronavirus: disproportionately impacting Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Native communities. These impacts have more to do with the impacts and effects of systemic racism, capitalism, and oppression. What this means is that in times of a pandemic, natural disaster, and state-sanctioned violence, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color communities, immigrant of refugee communities and low-income communities will be hardest hit.
Our work as service providers, health care providers, organizers, advocates, public health champions, educators, and others working with communities, is to understand the impacts of systemic racism and a long history of oppression and violence by systems, in the name of health. Through this pandemic, the current uprising for Black Liberation, and the wildfires, there are a few themes I would like to offer for consideration, they are not new or solely my thoughts:
- Health disparities and maltreatment by health care systems continue to impact communities who are often not in decision making positions in spaces to be able to impact how they receive services. How can we ensure a more meaningful voice from consumers in our work? What kinds of decisions are our advisory councils able to make? Are people compensated for their time?
- Discrimination including systemic racism, health care discrimination, and discrimination is systems such as housing, transportation, and justice impact health and ability to access health care. Each of our service providing organizations has a responsibility to address systemic racism. This means addressing the internal and interpersonal aspects of racism too.
- Health care accessibility which includes lack of meaningful access to care and lack of culturally affirming services continues to be a barrier for communities seeking care. How can each of our organizations, clinics, and bodies of work take steps to engage in more culturally affirming services?
- Wealth, income and educational disparities may lead people to not be able to take off work when ill or when caring for others. How are the services we provide in alignment with the resources, schedules, and accessibility needs of the communities we serve?
- Housing factors including living intergenerationally-- which can be protective factors, can also be a factor in transmissibility when services and resources aren’t set up to support families living intergenerationally. How can we better learn how to support and affirm cultural practices and not allow the narrative to further stigmatize communities?
Zeenia Junkeer, N.D.
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"How can we ensure a more meaningful voice from consumers in our work? What kinds of decisions are our advisory councils able to make? Are people compensated for their time?" -Zeenia Junkeer
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ICYMI: Guidance for Oregon's SBHCs for School Reopening |
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As schools reopen, whether virtually or in person, SBHCs can provide preventive and routine health care that was deferred due to COVID-19, along with other critical physical, behavioral health care, and other healthcare services (e.g. dental care) for Oregon’s most vulnerable youth.
Because of the tremendous responsibility placed in the hands of local school and health officials for returning to in-person instruction, healthcare providers and schools/districts must develop and maintain a collaborative effort—now more than ever—to address student and school community needs.
- support and foster additional collaboration between existing SBHCs and the school communities they serve, and
- encourage school districts and healthcare providers to consider new collaborations to address student needs.
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Mykia Hernandez (she/her),
Youth Programs Coordinator
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Janet Avila-Medina (she/her),
Community Partnerships Coordinator
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We are so excited to welcome two new members to the team at OSBHA. Mykia Hernandez (she/her) is our new Youth Programs Coordinator and Janet Avila-Medina (she/her) is our new Community Partnerships Coordinator. Mykia and Janet answered some questions about what brings them to OSBHA and what they're most passionate about.
What brings you to this work?
Mykia: My passion for the empowerment of marginalized communities and dedication to closing the gap in health disparities between people of color and their white counterparts brings me to OSBHA.
Janet: I am an advocate for equitable youth-friendly school health services because I know how much the health of children in youth intersects with academic achievement. I am passionate about equitable services and practices and want to help strengthen school-based health services and systems, so that every child in Oregon can thrive in education.
What excites you most about the work you'll be doing at OSBHA?
Mykia: The opportunity to be able to build a rapport with the Student Health Advocates that will allow us to better serve our community.
Janet: I am excited to build strong relationships with Latino/a/x organizations to help serve underserved Latino/a/x communities and help address the health and education disparities that exist for children and youth. Together with partnerships I hope to advocate for equitable youth-friendly school-based health services.
What are two things you love to do when you're not at work?
Mykia: Spend quality time with my daughters and cook meals for my family.
Janet: I love to hangout with my family and all my adorable nephews and my baby niece. They really help me disconnect from all the uncertainties that are happening in the world. Also prior to COVID-19, I love exploring and eating at different restaurants. I am a huge foodie! 😊
If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it to advance health equity?
Mykia: The power of healing and I would heal those who are unable to seek medical help through the current healthcare system.
Janet: Super Strength power, so that I can have the best strength to fight for school-based health services and break all the racial and systemic policies and practices that are embedded in school educational systems. With this power I would help smash and destroy all the health and education inequities and barriers that exist for children and youth.
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2020 California School-Based Health Conference: School Health on the Frontlines: Navigating Pandemics & Building Equity
Safe + Strong Helpline
Lines for Life and the Oregon Health Authority have launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it – not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. Help is free and available 24/7. Language interpreters are available.
School Suicide Prevention Plan Mini-Grants
In partnership with Oregon Health Authority, Lines for Life is offering district-level grants of up to $1,500. Approved grants can be applied to costs of staff and/or student training and curriculum, as well as other costs associated with implementation of school suicide prevention plans. Apply by completing the application here.
Farmworkers on the Frontlines
Journalist Jorge Ramos released this video highlighting the impact of wildfires on farmworkers across the West Coast. The video features Reyna Lopez, the Executive Director of PCUN, Oregon's Farmworker Union, who describes the challenges farmworker communities face because of systematic oppression. Click here to support PCUN's critical work. And remember that while farmworkers are providing essential services, we must still find ways to support the education and health care of their kids. |
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We would like to thank the following funders for supporting us in 2020:
Funders
Roy and Diane Marvin Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
HealthGenYZ
Greater Albany Public Schools
Newberg School District
CareOregon, Gold Level Wellness Partner
Clackamas ESD
EC Brown Foundation
ITP3
Kaiser Permanente
Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, School-Based Health Center Program
OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation
School-Based Health Center Membership Dues
United Way of Columbia Willamette
Event Sponsors
CareOregon
Columbia Bank
Pacific West Bank
PeaceHealth
Willamette Dental
Individual Donors
Allan M. Siegel
Danni/y Rosen
Jill Daniels
William Thomas
Tracy Dannen-Grace
Jamie Zentner
Michael Ralls
Tarrah Adam
Tracy Garell
Mariotta Gary-Smith
Petra S. Berger
Billi Odegaard
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The Oregon School-Based Health Alliance
911 NE Davis St. Portland, OR 97232
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