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What's Inside?
- Two Public Health Changemakers Retire
- Policy: Housing Bond Bill
- PHIWM news
- Research and Evaluation: Updated Youth Mental Health report and webpage
- Coalition building: HNE grant for YMHC
- Upcoming Events
- Stay Healthy This Winter
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Two Public Health Changemakers Retire | |
We extend our sincere appreciation to two influential leaders, Dr. Frank Robinson and Jeff Harness, who have been pivotal in shaping the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to both of them for their significant contributions to advancing health equity in our region. While we will miss working with them, we are confident that their vision and impact will continue to resonate for years to come. | |
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Dr. Frank Robinson
Dr. Frank Robinson served as the Executive Director of Partners for a Healthier Community for over fifteen years and has been a strategic and passionate advisor to the organization for twenty-five! His values and passion for public health play out in our day-to-day work here at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Dr. Frank Robinson is a true visionary. He is not intimidated or daunted by how big the task nor how big the table that has to be set to achieve the goal.
Dr. Robinson served in various leadership positions of organizations that had broad-reaching missions to improve public health and health outcomes such as Health Care for All and the Baystate Academy Charter School, and he is a founding member of the Healing Racism Institute of the Pioneer Valley as well as the Health Equity Compact. He was behind much of the visioning for 413Cares.org and most recently the Western MA Anchor Collaborative and the Alliance for Digital Equity.
Dr. Robinson has made a significant difference in the health of our community by repeatedly building bridges between healthcare and other sectors that have significant influence on health outcomes. Dr. Robinson’s commitment is also demonstrated by his unwillingness to just settle for one program or one solution. He has time and time again offered our region and our state broad visions for enhancing and deepening systems changes to prevent poor health while simultaneously creating opportunities for healthcare to partner in community-based efforts. This list is too long to name. We will miss working with Frank every day; his welcoming smile, warm hug, and deep laugh. Frank has set a solid tone and path for us in public health and many sectors that will continue on. His famously repeated statements will stay in our minds as we continue to move processes forward: “people support what they help to create” and “you get what you design for”.
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Jeff Harness
Jeff Harness retired this January from Cooley Dickinson Hospital where he served in several leadership positions advancing public health in Hampshire County and Western Massachusetts. Jeff served on the Board of Directors of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts for many years and as the Board Chair during our transition to becoming a public health institute. We are so very grateful for his steady and forthright leadership in building collaborations in our region, lifting up health equity, and being a spokesperson for why and how healthcare can address racism and health inequities. He was one of the founders of the Western MA Health Equity Network, the Coalition of Western MA Hospitals, as well as the leader of the Western MA Prevention Center during his tenure.
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Just what is this Housing Bond Bill?
Massachusetts is in a housing crisis. The reasons for soaring rents and housing prices will vary depending on who you ask, but the fact is, there are simply not enough “housing units” for everyone who wants to live in the Commonwealth. Additionally, too many homes are unhealthy to live in due to lead paint, mold, asbestos, and pests. Given these challenges, it is especially important for you to know about and speak up for the Housing Bond Bill, which is a massive piece of state legislation that generally comes up every five years.
Officially, this “omnibus” bill is called the Affordable Housing Act (H.4138), and the Massachusetts Legislature is beginning to focus on it this month, with a hearing held by the Joint Committee on Housing. This bond bill is incredibly important for affordable, healthy because, it could authorize upwards of $4.12 billion in capital spending to improve, decarbonize, and expand state-owned public housing and also capitalize a variety of housing development and rehabilitation funds and loan programs. Additionally, Governor Healey proposes several policy changes in this housing bond bill that would: encourage housing production; advance fair housing and tenant protections; and provide new “tools” so cities and towns can do more locally to address the housing crisis.
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In the News
Our projects and staff often appear in the news. Check out some of the latest:
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Congratulations To Our Board Member Sarah Morgan
Sarah Morgan was recently promoted to Vice President of Human Resources at Health New England. In this role, Sarah leads and oversees Health New England’s human capital and organizational development operations ensuring business strategies, plans, and initiatives are developed and implemented in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures. She is also responsible for identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals.
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Youth Mental Health Roadmap: Updated Report and Webpage
A updated version of our latest report, Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts, is now available. This new version includes supplementary background information and research that enriches the existing content. We've also added additional "spotlights" on programs and initiatives in the region. This is a great resource for those interested in addressing the youth mental health crisis through health promotion and prevention. Check it out!
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Youth Mental Health Coalition Receives HNE Grant
We are pleased to announce that we have received a grant from Health New England to support the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC). YMHC will be working with Open Pixel to develop an animation video sharing tips and tricks on how parents/guardians and caregivers can engage in conversation with young people about mental health and youth gambling. YMHC will gather information from parents/guardians, youth and behavioral health professionals in the Springfield area to help inform this video; ensuring it is relevant to the needs and experiences faced by residents. By Spring 2024, we aim to share this video with the Greater Springfield community with the goal of assisting to build trusting youth/adult relationships and build awareness about the intersection of mental health and problem gambling prevention.
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January is proving to be a busy month with many events: | |
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Checking In On Your Friends: Protecting Our Mental Health With Community Care (For Youth, Grades 6-12), 1/25/24 from 5:30-8:00 pm: The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition and the Stop Access Coalition are hosting a workshop for youth in grades 6-12 at the Brightwood Branch Library. The workshop will be facilitated by Ysabel Garcia of Estoy Aquí. Learn more and register.
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Positive Community Norms Messaging, 1/25/24 from 2:00-4:00 pm: The Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance is hosting a training with the Montana Institute. This two-hour training will be part message development, part brainstorming session. Preventionists working on a wide variety of issues -- including mental health stigma, food security, LGBTQIA acceptance, employee health, and more -- will be invited to explore how the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms could be used to reduce harm and increase health in their focus populations, and transform the way in which these issues are addressed. The goal is to expand the potential applications of PCN in the Quaboag Hills prevention community, and to see what connections and opportunities arise. Register here.
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Virtual Housing Hearing, 1/25/23 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm: Join the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) and partners for a virtual public hearing focusing on issues affecting women and girls, highlighting housing in the Commonwealth. Learn more and register.
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Learn About Long COVID, 1/31/24 from 1:00-2:00 pm: The MA Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Vaccine Equity Initiative is hosting a series of webinars with Dr. Estevan Garcia, DPH’s Medical Director, on COVID and other respiratory illnesses. Register here.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid (for adults who regularly interact with young people), 1/30/24 from 9:00 am-3:30 pm: The Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance is sponsoring two FREE Mental Health First Aider training. The course is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Learn more and register. There is also an option to take the course over two days- February 5 and February 12- from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm.
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Board of Health Opioid Listening Session, 2/5/24 at 6:30 pm: This listening session is co-hosted by the Franklin County boards of health and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. Recently, pharmacies and opioid manufacturers have settled state lawsuits. They are paying funds to towns to address the harms of the opioid crisis. Residents impacted by the opioid epidemic are invited to provide feedback and ideas on how to spend the settlement funds in our region. Register
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High Virus Activity
A lot of germs are going around! The current level of Respiratory Illness Activity in Massachusetts is HIGH. Viruses like COVID-19, Flu, and RSV are most common and can have significant risks for older adults, kids under 5, and people who are immunocompromised. Take good care of yourself and your loved ones by following the precautions below. Additionally, increasing airflow and ventilation can help. Allow fresh air inside, use an air filter or cleaner (make your own effective and affordable one), and turn on exhaust fans.
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Actividad Viral Alta
¡Hay muchos gérmenes circulando por ahí! El nivel actual de actividad de enfermedades respiratorias en Massachusetts es ALTO. Virus como el COVID-19, la gripe y el VSR son los más comunes y pueden tener riesgos importantes para los adultos mayores, los niños menores de 5 años y las personas inmunodeprimidas. Cuídese bien a sí mismo y a sus seres queridos siguiendo las precauciones a continuación. Además, aumentar el flujo de aire y la ventilación puede ayudar. Deje que entre aire fresco, use un filtro de aire o un limpiador (haga uno propio, efectivo y asequible) y encienda los extractores.
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Free COVID Treatment Available
Have COVID-19 symptoms? In partnership with Color, Massachusetts is offering free telehealth visits via phone or online to get COVID-19 treatment pills. Oral antiviral treatment is for ages 12 and up who have had COVID-19 symptoms for 5 days or less. Antiviral treatment may reduce the risk of severe disease and prevent hospitalization. If prescribed, get treatment pills delivered for free or pick them up at your local pharmacy. Start by going to color.com/covid-19-treatment-ma or calling 833-450-3461. Open 8am - 10pm, 7 days a week. Need an interpreter or additional assistance? Email treatments@color.com. Learn more about telehealth treatment for COVID-19.
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Tratamiento COVID gratuito disponible
¿Tiene síntomas de COVID-19? En asociación con Color, Massachusetts ofrece visitas gratuitas de telesalud por teléfono o en línea para obtener píldoras de tratamiento contra el COVID-19. El tratamiento antiviral oral es para mayores de 12 años que hayan tenido síntomas de COVID-19 durante 5 días o menos. El tratamiento antiviral puede reducir el riesgo de enfermedad grave y prevenir la hospitalización. Si se lo recetan, reciba las píldoras de tratamiento de forma gratuita o recójalas en su farmacia local. Comience visitando color.com/covid-19-treatment-ma o llamando al 833-450-3461. Abierto de 8 a. m. a 10 p. m., los 7 días de la semana. ¿Necesita un intérprete o asistencia adicional? Envíe un correo electrónico a tratamientos@color.com. Obtenga más información sobre el tratamiento de telesalud para COVID-19.
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Did You Get Your Free COVID-19 Tests?
As of November 20, every U.S. household can once again order four free COVID-19 rapid tests, and some may be eligible to receive eight tests. Tests will be delivered directly to recipients' homes. Order online. Accessible COVID test kits are also available for people who are blind or have low vision.
REMINDER: Many at-home COVID tests have had their expiration dates extended. Check updated expiration dates on the FDA's website.
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¿Te hiciste tus pruebas de COVID gratuitas?
A partir del 20 de noviembre, todos los hogares de EE. UU. pueden volver a solicitar cuatro pruebas rápidas gratuitas de COVID-19 y algunos pueden ser elegibles para recibir ocho pruebas. Las pruebas se entregarán directamente en los hogares de los destinatarios. Comprar online. También hay disponibles kits de prueba de COVID accesibles para personas ciegas o con baja visión.
RECORDATORIO: Se han extendido las fechas de vencimiento de muchas pruebas de COVID caseras. Consulte las fechas de vencimiento actualizadas en el sitio web de la FDA.
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