A Message From Our
Executive Director
This edition of our newsletter brings Season's Greetings as well as an opportunity for you to see the good work being done by our program staff and community partners.
During the holidays and every day, we’re grateful for the program support we have received from funders including AMY Wellness Foundation, Dogwood Health Trust, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

We are thankful for new partnerships and for the generosity of donors that support the work of CareReach. Individuals and communities throughout our area are being impacted by CareReach programs and services, and our staff are making a difference in the health and well-being of those they serve.
Enjoy highlights of two of our programs below. We look forward to 2022 and sharing with you the good things that happen as we continue to work to make Western North Carolina a healthier place for all.
Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season
from everyone at CareReach,
 
Peggy Williams, MBA
Executive Director, CareReach
CareReach’s Hepatitis-C Bridge Counselor
Provides Support “From Care to Cure”
Based in Buncombe County, Hepatitis-C Bridge Counselor Emmaleigh Argonauta plays a significant role in the lives of Buncombe County residents who have been diagnosed with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). When a bridge counselor contacts an individual who has Hepatitis-C, the goal is to link them to a treatment provider, as well as to provide additional support through education, resource referral, and problem solving when barriers to successful treatment arise. By assisting her clients in navigating care and addressing barriers that may interfere with their continuity in treatment, Emmaleigh supports these individuals from “care to cure.”
A Positive Impact on Those with Hepatitis-C
In light of the fact that Hepatitis-C is the most prevalent bloodborne disease in the United States, Bridge services play a vital role in public health.
 
Emmaleigh takes her Bridge Counselor role seriously, and she’s making an impact on the health of many individuals diagnosed with HCV. She recently shared the following positive reports on her work:
In the most recent reporting period, 23 new patients were referred to her for Bridge Counseling, and eight additional individuals were re-referred. A total of 73 patients engaged in the Bridge Counseling program during the third quarter.
Between September 1 and October 20, four Buncombe County individuals who had been diagnosed with Hep-C were confirmed as cured.
In July 2021, a patient seeking HCV testing, treatment, and care enrolled in Bridge Services and, through Bridge Counseling, was able to receive wrap-around care. The individual was not only tested for Hepatitis C, but she was also linked with a provider for Primary Care Services. In addition, she was provided transportation, which meant she was finally able to attend appointments to discuss her substance use disorder with a provider who began prescribing her Medication Assisted Treatment through the provider’s Office-Based Opiate Treatment program.
Encouraging Safety and Prevention
As part of her Bridge Counselor role, Emmaleigh has created and assembled a supply of “Hep-C Safety Kits” containing educational materials on Hepatitis A, B & C, as well as toothbrushes, nail clippers, masks, band-aids, and information on how to access behavioral health services.
 
As Emmaleigh explains, “These kits are not just providing Hepatitis health education and community resources—they are also a prevention method to limit additional transmission to non-infected individuals and family members.” 
In July through October, 60 safety kits were distributed to newly enrolled patients in Buncombe County services. The kits were provided to local stakeholders such as Dale Fell Health Center, WNCAP, AHOPE, and Buncombe County Syringe Services via SAFER Together and PORT.
Bridge Counseling Brings Treatment and Peace of Mind

Bridge Counseling provides more than just information and access to medical appointments: often, it provides peace of mind for those living with a Hep-C diagnosis. 
Emmaleigh shared that an individual who had self-reported a Hepatitis-C diagnosis several years ago recently called Buncombe County HHS to request assistance. This individual was referred for Bridge Counseling and not only learned of her current Hep C status but, through testing, learned that her body had cleared the virus on its own. Upon hearing this good news, she shared that for almost 20 years she had lived with the constant, nagging fear that she had a deadly illness.
 
The individual was given appointments for much-needed medical and behavioral health provider visits—including an upcoming appointment to begin office-based opioid treatment as well as a referral for inpatient drug treatment when she feels she is ready.
The Bridge Counseling program utilizes proven best practices of harm reduction, and patients enrolled in Bridge Counseling are encouraged to use safer drug practices to reduce risk for HCV and HIV transmission. Since August, Emmaleigh has been co-locating with the syringe service program at Buncombe County Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday afternoons.

Along with providing the drug-using community with tools that prevent deadly illnesses such as HCV or HIV, access is also given to Narcan, which can directly and immediately prevent the death of a drug-using community member.
Hep-C Bridge Counseling services are voluntary, confidential, and free. Both insured and uninsured individuals are eligible, regardless of insurance type or status. It’s also important to note that these services are open to those with past or current drug use and to those who have past or present involvement with the legal system.
 
Bridge Counseling referrals are accepted through self-referral, community agencies, and medical providers. Referral forms are available for download on our website, along with more information about Hepatitis C and Bridge Counseling services. To make a referral  or to obtain more information, visit CareReachNC.org .  [E
Toe River Project Access Program Lead
Helps Bring Smiles to Yancey County
On October 16, TRPA Program Lead Miki Pontorno participated in a Dental Health Fair in Burnsville at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
 
This event was the first-ever community dental clinic held by Mountain Community Health Partnership; and in addition to free dental health services offered, a number of booths were set up outside the dental clinic to help attendees access other health resources.
Sharing Info About ACA Enrollment
At the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigators booth, Miki teamed up with Susan Wilson, ACA Director with the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc., to provide information about insurance plan enrollment through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace.
Since the event was held just prior to the ACA open enrollment period (Nov. 1-Jan. 15), this was an ideal opportunity for Miki to do what she does best in her work with TRPA: help connect uninsured and underinsured patients with the coverage and care they need.
Miki Pontorno, TRPA Program Lead, and Susan Wilson, ACA Director with the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, provide information on ACA enrollment.
“I gave out around 30 TRPA flyers and cards to those who didn’t qualify for ACA,” Miki says, “and I signed [someone] up for a call about the ACA.”
 
It is impossible to know the outcome of each of these contacts, but we know the impact can reach far beyond those with whom Miki and Susan spoke.
Patients enrolled with TRPA are offered access to primary and specialty care and medication assistance, as well as linkage to behavioral health services and resources that help meet the social determinants of health.
Accessing affordable dental care is a problem for many low-income, uninsured residents; and oral health disparities are a continuing issue for many individuals in Western North Carolina, especially among the Hispanic community where lack of insurance and access to resources can result in dental problems and poor oral health. Although Toe River Project Access (TRPA) is not a direct provider of dental services, they are often able to link the individuals they serve to services and resources that address these challenges.
 
Nearly 60 Hispanic or Latinx individuals took advantage of free dental health services offered at no cost during this two-day event; and along with free dental exams and cleanings, health fair participants were offered a variety of other items free of charge, including fresh produce, books, baby diapers and wipes.
 
With a mission to reduce health disparities for the uninsured and underinsured in Yancey and Mitchell counties, TRPA is making a difference in these communities.
Building Community Partnerships and Working Together
Through support of programs like TRPA, CareReach furthers its stated mission “to build partnerships for the benefit of Western North Carolina though innovative programs that reduce barriers and address gaps in whole-person, coordinated health care.” 
 
A presence at local community health fairs provides prime opportunities for direct contact with individuals who need assistance. Through our ongoing support of programs such as TRPA, CareReach continues to model the powerful impact of communities working together for the health of all.
To connect request TRPA services or make a referral, call 828-766-1850.
ACA Healthcare Marketplace
open enrollment is underway!
We have certified navigators that can help you review and compare plans to best suit your healthcare needs. This is a great opportunity to explore Marketplace plans that cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and prescriptions. Whether you are trying to enroll in Marketplace coverage, see how your existing plan compares to others, or are just exploring your options, we can help!
1) Open Enrollment ends January 15.

2) All our services are free. Certified Navigators can answer your questions and walk you through your health coverage options.

3) Financial help is available. 9 in 10 North Carolinians who signed up for Marketplace coverage received financial help paying their premiums.

4) If you don't qualify for a subsidy to help with premiums, we can help you explore other options to meet your needs.
Call us to schedule an ACA appointment:

McDowell: 828-659-5289
Mitchell & Yancey: 828-766-1850
Donate to CareReach
As a non-profit partner in the health and safety-net system of Western North Carolina, CareReach relies on the generous gifting of donors and supporters to sustain our vital work. While many in our community are faced with barriers and gaps in whole-person, coordinated health care, we work with these individuals to help them reach their health goals; through our collaboration with local partners, we help make clinical and community services more accessible to those who need them. 

Please consider making an investment in the health of our mountain communities. With your help we will reach our goal...
Communities working together for the health of all.
Your donation helps sustain our work across Western North Carolina.
 Integrity | Collaboration | Agility