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February is Black History Month
Black History Month was created to recognize and honor the sacrifices that Black Americans have contributed, which been foundational to the growth of the United States, American society, and culture. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, achievements and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history.
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We Are Excited To Announce Our New Community Accountability Action Team Co-Chair: Katherine Beltran! | |
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Katherine was born and raised in Sonoma County, and she is a first-generation college graduate. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College, where she received an A.A in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She later attended Sonoma State University, where she obtained a B.A. in Sociology. Katherine has experience in researching, studying human society, and social behaviors and social problems. She has been working with underserved populations in her community since 2018 and has since worked with diverse communities. | | | |
Her passions are around social justice, leadership, youth gang prevention, and strengthening families. In 2021, she began working with Child Parent Institute. At Child Parent Institute, Katherine wears various hats, and her main role is to support families in the child welfare system. She is a parent educator and class facilitator, providing parent education and courses for child abuse interventions plans. Katherine is also a Community Health Worker at CPI’s new Family Resource Center. She provides case management and helps families connect to resources and interlinks all her roles to bring services to the underserved community of the Rohnert Park/ Cotati area. | |
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Highlights
Sonoma Connect | Sonoma Unidos was spotlighted in the CIE National Movement Newsletter!
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CalAIM implementation. Key Finding’s from the CHCF report, (Community of Practice)
CalAIM implementation. Key Finding’s from the CHCF report, (Community of Practice) CalAIM, the multiyear effort to reform the state’s Medi-Cal system, is now in its second year. To gain a clearer picture of how implementation is occurring on the ground, CHCF commissioned an online survey, which was conducted July 21 to September 12, 2023, among 1,196 people working at managed care plans, behavioral health organizations, community-based organizations, social services organizations, and other types of people referred to collectively as “implementers” throughout the report. Encouragingly, implementers share many successes in improved access and more comprehensive care for people with complex needs. At the same time, implementers also surface significant challenges and important improvements that must be made to increase CalAIM’s effectiveness in the coming years.
A total of 1,196 individuals completed the survey, including 412 from social service organizations
- A majority (52%) say that “overall access to services, including those that address health-related needs (e.g., housing navigation)” has gotten somewhat or much better because of CalAIM’s implementation.
- Despite broad agreement with the goals behind CalAIM and some initial successes, satisfaction with implementation is not especially high — at least not at this point in the process. On a scale of zero to 10 where zero is “not at all satisfied” and 10 is “extremely satisfied,” the average rating is 5.9.
- When asked about how CalAIM has impacted their organization, a slight majority of implementers (51%) say that their ability to manage the comprehensive needs of people they serve has gotten better as a result of CalAIM, while 40% say that it has stayed about the same or that they are unsure.
- The most significant challenge reported is that payment rates are not covering the full cost of service (32% say “very challenging,” and 56% say “very or somewhat challenging”). However administrative burdens, too much time spent on documentation requirements, and challenges related to recruiting and retaining staff are also cited as major challenges.
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Upcoming Action Team Meetings
Community Accountability Action Team
Wednesday, February 14, 2024| 3:00pm-4:30pm
Resource Connection Network Action Team
Monday, February 26, 2024 | 1:00pm-2:30pm
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Sonoma County LEAP Board Membership Application is now OPEN!
Applications Due: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 by 5:00pm
The Lived Experience Advisory and Planning (LEAP) Board is composed of diverse people with lived experience of homelessness, with an emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity in its composition. The purpose of the LEAP Board is to advise and plan with the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board and homeless service agencies how to improve homeless programs, services, shelters, and housing.
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Upcoming Events and Resources
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Enhanced Care Management & Community Supports | Medi-Cal Transformation
Webinars and Other Meetings:
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Report: A Section of the ECM and Community Supports Quarterly Implementation
Medi-Cal ECM and Community Supports Quarterly Implementation Report provides a comprehensive overview of implementation to date. The most recent update to this report was published in January 2024 and reflects data from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. It includes data at the state, county, and plan levels on total members served, utilization, and provider networks.
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Webinar: Behavioral Health Equity Best Practices for African Americans
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Office of Behavioral Health Equity invites you to join the Behavioral Health Equity Best Practices for African Americans event on Monday, February 5 at 1:30-3:00 pm EST. During this virtual Black History Month celebration, participants will learn how collaborations to leverage best practices can advance health equity within African American populations and for underserved communities.
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Investing in Community Health and Community-led Design: Lessons Learned from the RePARE Project
The Research to Pursue and Advance Racial Health Equity (RePARE) project conducted a community-centered research study examining the financial sustainability and impact of Community Referral Networks (CRNs) in promoting racial health equity. CRNs are essential systems that facilitate referrals between different community stakeholders such as healthcare, social service, and faith-based organizations, to ensure that community members have access to essential resources. These technological infrastructure systems are effective for communities because they also incorporate financial resources and collective collaboration. The results of this study provide valuable insights for future investments in CRNs, paving the way for more equitable and effective healthcare systems and community health initiatives.
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Racial Healing 2024
On this year’s National Day of Racial Healing, racial equity and racial healing was part of a conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It highlighted the vital role business leaders can play in creating inclusive environments where individuals from all identity groups can both work and thrive.
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Black History Month 2024 – NAACP Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Branch
THEME – African Americans in The Arts
- January 30, 2024 – Black History Month Kick Off 4PM-5PM
- February 1st, 2024 - Black Doula Workshop 1PM-2:30PM
- February 4th, 2024 – Free Rides – Transit equity Day (ALL DAY)
- February 5th, 2024 – General Membership Meeting (6PM-7:30PM)
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- February 17th, 2024 – Black College Expo (10AM-5PM)
- February 18th, 2024 – Telling our Stories through Ethnic Studies (2PM-3:30PM)
- February 24th, 2024 – Double Screening “The Race to Space” & “Origin” (2PM-3:30PM)
- February 25th, 2024 – Tasting Diversity: Insights from Black Pioneers in the Wine World (3PM-5PM)
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Black History Month Activities presented by Petaluma Blacks for Community Development | |
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THEME – African Americans and the Arts.
African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memories as well as for empowerment
- February 2, 2024 –Opening Jazz Concert with Dorian Mode. Jazz, Blues & R&B
- February 4, 2024 – Art in Conversation: Denise Ward with Orin Carpenter
- February 9, 2024 – Opening of Exhibit with Makeda Kumasi
- February 15, 2024 – Tina Rogers Performance
- February 17, 2024 – Keenan Webster
- February 18, 2024 – Art in Conversation: Denise Ward with Rose Hill
- February 24, 2024 – Annual Black History Program
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In celebration of Kindness Week, the city of Rohnert Park is hosting a “I Heart Rohnert Park”, from February 11-17th.
- February 13: Trivia Night
- February 14: Wellness Wednesday
- February 13 & 15: Senior Portrait Studio
- February 11-17: Rohnert Park Fan Favorites
- February 11-17: Acts of Kindness
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Lunar New Year
Saturday, February 3, 2024, from10:00am-2:00pm
Enjoy traditional Chinese Dancers and let your children join the fun with Lion and Dragon Dances. Expand your knowledge of calligraphy, traditional paper cutting, and adventures in the Chinese Zodiac. This joyful experience will include so much to do, see and enjoy. Don’t miss out on this unique cultural event!
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All proceeds from signature events go toward supporting the Children’s Museum's mission to inspire curiosity and creativity through joyful, transformative experiences.
Fundraisers at the Children’s Museum allow the Children's Museum to offer Museum Access Programs, which is a valuable resource for the entire community.
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