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Community Resource Fair
Apply for Grant Funding to Address Homelessness
NYT Interviews CalOptima Health CEO on Medi-Cal Renewal
U.S. Rep. Katie Porter Commends CalOptima Health
$4M Awarded to OCHFT to Support Affordable Housing
CalOptima Health Leaders Meet with U.S. Rep. Young Kim
CalOptima Health Launching Diabetes Pilot Program
CalOptima Health Hosts Transitions of Care Roundtable
Stay Up to Date on School Vaccinations
Managing Diabetes in the Summer Heat
CalOptima Health to Hold Back-to-School Health and Wellness Event
BenefitsCal.com Training
Community Partner Highlight: The LGBTQ Center
CME and CE Workshop on Lead Exposure
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Community Resource Fair To Be Held July 29
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Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, CalOptima Health and the County of Orange Social Services Agency are hosting a Community Resource Fair to raise awareness about Medi-Cal Renewals, CalFresh and community resources.
- Saturday, July 29
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Ponderosa Park & Family Resource Center
- 320 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim
The event will also include a community resource fair, food, and diaper distribution (while supplies last) and family-friendly activities. The flier is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
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Apply for Grant Funding to Address Homelessness | |
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Applications are due August 15, 2023 (5 p.m. PST)
As part of our efforts to overcome health disparities, CalOptima Health is participating in the Department of Health Care Services’ Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP). Through the program, CalOptima Health is administering a funding opportunity for capital projects to increase equitable and countywide access to permanent, affordable housing. The total grant funding available is $52.3 million. Individual grant requests must be between $1 million and $8 million.
For information on the project requirements and proposal evaluation criteria and to apply, please visit: www.caloptima.org/en/About/CurrentInitiatives/CalAIM/FundingOpportunities
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NYT Interviews CalOptima Health CEO on Medi-Cal Renewal | | |
In an article published July 17, the New York Times interviewed CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn about the agency’s potential loss of members due to Medi-Cal renewal. Medi-Cal members have not been required to verify their eligibility for the program since the renewal process was suspended during the public health emergency, but the process resumed this past April. Hunn shared with the Times that the agency estimates nearly 200,000 CalOptima Health members may lose their coverage by 2024. While some participants might be truly ineligible, Hunn added, “I’m afraid the bigger number will be because they don’t understand they had to renew.” | | |
Spread the Word on Medi-Cal Renewal Using Toolkit
Medi-Cal renewal is in full swing. Support the process by using CalOptima Health’s communications toolkit. The toolkit includes information and resources about the renewal process you can share with members and community stakeholders through your communication channels and social media pages.
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U.S. Rep Katie Porter Commends CalOptima Health | | |
In a recent speech on the floor of Congress, U.S. Representative Katie Porter recognized CalOptima Health’s $25.5 million investment into all of Orange County’s 29 school districts to improve access to campus-based mental health services as part of the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP). The districts can use the funding to hire additional staff, enhance training and development, and establish new respite spaces for children in K–12 schools. “This funding comes at such a crucial time, as children’s mental health has declined since the start of the pandemic,” Rep. Porter said. “Mental health care is health care, and I applaud Orange County for prioritizing the health and well-being of our children.” CalOptima Health appreciates the support of this critical initiative and will continue working with legislators to improve mental health policies impacting our members. | | |
$4M Awarded to OCHFT to Support Affordable Housing | From left: Mike Frost, Orange County Housing Finance Trust (OCHFT) Board Member and City of Dana Point Council Member; Tammy Kim, OCHFT Board Member and City of Irvine Council Member; Vicente Sarmiento, OCHFT Board Member, CalOptima Health Board Member and County of Orange Supervisor – 2nd District; Katrina Foley, OCHFT Board Member and County of Orange Supervisor – 5th District; Stephen Faessel, OCHFT Board Chair and City of Anaheim Council Member; Jessie Lopez, OCHFT Board Member and City of Santa Ana Council Member; Yunkyung Kim, CalOptima Health Chief Operating Officer; Amanda Grill, OCHFT Program and Compliance Specialist; Don Barnes, OCHFT Board Member and County of Orange Sheriff-Coroner; and Adam Eliason, OCHFT Manager. | CalOptima Health awarded a $4 million grant to the Orange County Housing Finance Trust (OCHFT) to increase the availability of affordable housing. It will support 34 accessory dwelling units for low-income individuals and families as well as reduce the amount of time to produce new units, making them available more quickly for those waiting to get connected to a home. The funding is made possible by the Department of Health Care Services’ Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program, through which CalOptima Health may earn up to $83.3 million to address the crisis of homelessness in Orange County. CalOptima Health is pleased to partner with OCHFT on this critically important work for our community. | | |
CalOptima Health Leaders Meet with U.S. Rep Young Kim | |
From left: Jordan Abushawish, CalOptima Health Senior Director, Government Affairs; Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer; Young Kim, U.S. Representative (CA-40); and Donovan Higbee, CalOptima Health Senior Manager, Government Affairs. | |
CalOptima Health leaders met with U.S. Representative Young Kim to discuss several of the agency’s major initiatives, including a $50 million investment in health care workforce development. To address the issue of health care provider shortages and disparities, CalOptima Health will fund opportunities for education, training, recruitment and retention of providers needed to serve our diverse membership. We are also developing a five-year plan for local provider workforce development that will include learnings from statewide health workforce initiatives, as well as engagement of local provider and member communities. We look forward to continuing a strong partnership with Rep. Kim. | |
CalOptima Health Launching Diabetes Pilot Program | |
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CalOptima Health is launching a pilot program to give eligible members with poorly controlled diabetes and their primary care providers more support in managing this disease.
We’re currently seeking applicants for our 12-month Diabetes Care Program. This program offers members access to a clinical pharmacist, health coach and registered dietitian to achieve healthier lifestyles while avoiding complications. To qualify, a member must be enrolled in the CalOptima Health Community Network, be an adult Latino or Latina over the age of 21 and have poorly controlled diabetes (an A1c level of 8% or higher).
Interested providers can apply to participate in the pilot program by filling out this form. For more information about the Diabetes Care Program, contact CalOptima Health Medical Director Himmet Dajee, M.D., at hdajee@caloptima.org or Senior Manager of Strategic Programs Joanne Ku at joanne.ku@caloptima.org.
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CalOptima Health Hosts Transitions of Care Roundtable | |
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On July 18, CalOptima Health hosted a Transitions of Care Roundtable with leaders from hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and recuperative care centers. The roundtable discussed ways we can better coordinate, collaborate and communicate to care for our members across the following topics:
- Optimizing care coordination and increasing use of Enhanced Care Management
- Expediting treatment authorizations and decreasing hospital lengths of stay
- Handling hard-to-place patients throughout the continuum of care
- Brainstorming how to work better together
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Stay Up to Date on School Vaccinations | | |
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month, reminding us that it is important for children to be up to date on their routine vaccinations. Make sure your children are ready for the new school year by scheduling a well-child visit with their primary care provider. These annual visits ensure students get the vaccinations they need to return to school as well as identify preventive care needs.
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Managing Diabetes in the Summer Heat | | |
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Did you know people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes could be more sensitive to the hot weather in the summer? To stay safe and healthy in the heat, those with diabetes should:
- Drink plenty of water
- Test their blood sugar often
- Keep medicines, supplies and equipment out of the heat
- Stay inside in air-conditioning when it’s hottest
- Wear loose, light clothing
- Get medical attention for heat-related illness
- Make a plan for power outages
- Have a go-bag with essential supplies ready for emergencies
Learn more about diabetes management during summer from CDC. CalOptima Health members can call 1-888-587-8088 to speak with staff about the best care plan to keep diabetes under control.
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CalOptima Health to Hold Back-to-School Health and Wellness Event | | |
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Join us for a Back-to-School Event to help children and families get ready for the new school year on Saturday, August 26, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church located at 1450 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. The event will offer families:
- Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKS enrollment
- Free vision exams, eyeglasses, dental services, sports physicals and haircuts by appointment at the event
- Community resources for basic needs, mental health, early childhood education, and services for older adults and people with disabilities
- Distribution of food, diapers, bike helmets, school supplies and backpacks while supplies last
- Cultural performances, music, games, crafts and activities
For more information, call CalOptima Health toll-free at 1-888-587-8088 (TTY 711) or visit www.caloptima.org.
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Community Partner Highlight: The LGBTQ Center | The LGBTQ Center OC's mission is to advocate on behalf of the Orange County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning communities and provide services that ensure their well-being and positive identity. Founded in 1971, the center is one of the oldest gay and lesbian community centers in the United States. The LGBTQ Center offers life-affirming programs with a focus on empowerment, and advocacy efforts focused on speaking out against hate and discrimination. The Center exists so that every segment of the LGBTQ population of Orange County has the resources needed to thrive in their own lives and communities. The LGBTQ Center OC approaches service delivery as a way to improve the lives of clients with a dual duty and role of improving the policies, systems, and environments that inhibit LGBTQ communities from being fully integrated into communities. Given this philosophy, the Center provides comprehensive services that connect clients to additional services as needed, often helping clients navigate the various systems in between access and utilization of resources. To learn more about the services offered, click here. | | |
CME and CE Workshop on Lead Exposure | |
CalOptima Health, A Public Agency www.caloptima.org
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