Welcome to our newsletter! 

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about our organization and our work in the region to support people and organizations to improve community health. Do you have feedback or suggestions to share? Reach out! 

In this Issue:

• Happy Thanksgiving!
• Ahead of the Curve: Region 1’s Public Health Workforce Plan
• View From Here Lunch & Learn Webinar 12/6
• 2023 WNC Data Workbooks Now Available for Download
• WNCHN Recommends...
• ...and more!

Ahead of the Curve: Region 1’s Public Health Workforce Plan

A conversation between Erin Braasch & Sarah Tennyson

WNC Health Network had the pleasure of supporting Public Health Region One in developing their public health workforce plan. Now that it has been put to use and is getting interest across the state, we thought it was time to check in with Sarah Tennyson, Workforce Development Director for Region One Health Departments, to hear more about the project. Watch the video of the conversation above, or click the link below to read the transcript.

View From Here WNC is a public health communications campaign created by a 19-county collaboration spreading from Cherokee to McDowell, and including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This umbrella social media campaign launched in April 2023 and shares stories and resources related to three prioritized health issues in our region:

Mental Health         |         Substance Use         |         Healthy Eating/Active Living

Two completed campaign cycles have provided us exciting information we are looking forward to sharing with you at our upcoming View From Here WNC Lunch and Learn on December 6^th from noon to 1pm. During this event, we plan to review campaign reporting, host a Q&A with several regional participants, and highlight newly developed campaign resources available for public use. We look forward to seeing you there!

WNC Health Network: Now Accepting 2024 Contract-Based Service Requests

WNC Health Network (WNCHN) is your partner in fostering excellence in improving the region's health. We offer a diverse range of contract-based services tailored for a range of public health partners including:

• Local public health agencies
• Local and regional coalitions
• Non-profit organizations
• Hospitals
• Local governments
• Federally Qualified Health Centers, and
• Funders throughout the region.

As we gear up for 2024, we encourage all interested WNC partners to connect with us to explore how WNCHN’s contract-based services can bolster your projects in the new year.

Our facilitation strategies are proven to propel collaborative groups from discussions to actions, leading to meaningful progress. Your community's unique needs and stories are at the core of our approach, and we pride ourselves on human-centered, co-designed solutions. Our services are designed to amplify your efforts in promoting healthier communities. Additionally, we specialize in Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA) and can help you integrate this framework into your planning, evaluation, quality improvement, and funding activities. We also offer RBA training, strategic support for health communications, and data-driven decision-making using our regional health data set.

WNC Health Network is your trusted partner in improving community health in WNC. Keep our contract-based service offerings front of mind as you strategize priorities and projects for 2024.

Contact Emily Kujawa, WNCHN Project Manager and Improvement Specialist, with contract-based service requests.

Our WNC Data Workbooks feature both primary and secondary data, providing a comprehensive overview of the health landscape in western North Carolina. 

16-County Region: 

• Counties include Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

(NEW) 18-County Region:

• Counties in this region include Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

Watch a recording from our recent webinar, Exploring WNC Data: Navigating the 16 & 18 County Data Workbooks. 

Visit our website to download the WNC Data Workbooks.

NC DHHS Wrap-Up Report on COVID-19 Communications

NC DHHS's new wrap-up report on communications for COVID-19 response and vaccination summarizes many of the strategies, activities, and outcomes of our long-term communications plan that helped North Carolina achieve the following results: 

• Most North Carolina adults completed their initial COVID-19 vaccination series, including 99% of those aged 65 and older. 
• There is no gap in initial vaccination between Hispanic and non-Hispanic North Carolinians, and the gap between Black and White North Carolinians is 3%, with no gap in some age groups. 
• Trust towards NCDHHS went up for 35% of North Carolinians during the pandemic, with the highest increases among Black (47%) and Hispanic/Latino (39%) populations.  

In addition to the report, they have developed a series of case studies to lift up lessons learned and share practices that can guide us moving forward. Case studies include: 

• Ten Lessons Learned During COVID-19 Vaccine Communications (PDF) 
• Vaccine Communications: Community Partners & Outreach Strategies (PDF)
• Data Focus Communication Decisions (PDF)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Telephone Outreach Program (PDF)
• Spanish Language Support (PDF)

Enrollment is Open for ACA Health Plans

Open enrollment began November 1 for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) federal and state exchanges. Consumers can go online, call, or seek help from a broker or other assister to learn their 2024 coverage options, calculate their potential subsidies, or change plans. In most states, open enrollment lasts through Jan. 15, although some states have different time periods.

Health policy experts and brokers recommend all ACA policyholders at least look at next year's options, because prices — and the doctors and hospitals in plans' networks — may have changed. Here's what you need to know from NPR.

CDC Launches New Campaign to Help Hospitals Tackle Healthcare Worker Burnout

CDC has launched the first federal campaign to help hospitals tackle healthcare worker burnout. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) new Impact Wellbeing™ campaign provides hospital leaders with evidence-informed resources to improve workplace policies and practices that reduce burnout, normalize help-seeking, and strengthen professional wellbeing. 

Although some causes of burnout may take time to address, there are many feasible ways to champion a healthy workforce and hospital system. Hospital leaders can check out the new Impact Wellbeing website to find actions to improve healthcare worker wellbeing.

Medicaid Expansion

Beginning Dec. 1, 2023, more than 600,000 people in North Carolina will be able to apply for health coverage through NC Medicaid. To ensure people know about the expanded eligibility for NC Medicaid, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched a new website with a toolkit of resources for organizations to spread the word to their communities.

Medicaid expansion will cover people ages 19 through 64 years with higher incomes, closing the coverage gap for North Carolinians. Medicaid pays for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, mental health and more — at little or no cost to participants.

Focus Groups to Tackle Opioid Solutions

November & December 2023

Southwestern Commission is looking for input from community members and/or persons or family members with personal experience, substance use treatment providers, and emergency personnel with opioid experience for a 1.5-hour virtual focus group to discuss opioid use, resources, treatment, and prevention. The needs assessment will help inform how opioid settlement funds will be spent to combat the opioid epidemic in western North Carolina. Your experiences are critical to this process. If you can't join at the time the group you most identify with meets, feel free to jump on at any of the other times. The more people that participate, the better the funding recommendations can be. Please forward this information to your networks who might be interested. Learn more at: Opioid Focus Group Sessions – Southwestern Commission.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Community Foundation of WNC: Sudden and Urgent Needs (SUN)

Rolling

The Community Foundation offers SUN grants of up to $10,000 to assist human service nonprofit organizations experiencing an unforeseen crisis that diminishes their ability to provide critical services. Applications are received and considered on a rolling basis until funds allocated to the annual SUN program have been fully expended. Learn more.

North Carolina Community Health Grant Program

December 8, 2023

These grant funds, supported through the North Carolina General Assembly, are for assuring access to primary and preventive care to meet the health needs of vulnerable, underserved and medically indigent patients, with emphasis on providing primary and preventative medical services to uninsured or medically indigent patients. An important component of this work is to strengthen the safety net through increased levels of collaboration and integration of services to sustain and meet the needs of those served more effectively. When an eligible primary care medical home safety net organization provides integrated care, grant funding may also support dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services. Applicants may request up to $150,000 per year of the grant. Learn more.

North Carolina Office of Rural Health: North Carolina Rural Health Centers Capital Grant

Applications due December 29, 2023

The North Carolina Rural Health Centers Capital Grant provides funding to support state-designated rural health centers with developing innovative strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. Funding may be used for investment in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction, renovation, and expansion of rural healthcare facilities and the purchase and installation of major equipment and technology. Learn more.

Dogwood Health Trust: Strategic Priority Grant Opportunities

"Engage with Us" Phase closes January 26, 2024

Dogwood’s 2024 Strategic Priority Grant opportunities are now open. This grant opportunity focuses on specific areas within their Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity and Health & Wellness strategic priorities. Learn more.