This week we had our final meeting of the Spokane Collaborative, as the program’s funding has been discontinued in 2025. Though there is some sadness in change and endings, we took some time this week to celebrate the milestones and success with both past and present collaborative members.
Read MoreIn 2023, the BHT board allocated funds for community events to elevate our community support and live out our mission and values. BHT is committed to sponsoring events and community engagement activities that promote community wellness and elevate community voices.
Read MoreBetter Health Together is pleased to announce the recipients of rural school-based healthcare awards and how they have used their funding to implement innovative school-based healthcare projects and address health-related social needs for students throughout Eastern Washington.
Read MoreOver the past week, we have taken some time as a Board and staff to pause, share our emotions, and reconnect with one another. We start this week with a steadfast commitment to do all we can to ensure that every person in our community has access to the resources they need to be healthy and safe.
Read MoreAt the heart of many community-based initiatives lies the need for reliable funding, and securing those resources often requires a strong grant-writing strategy. Recognizing this critical need, we launched an initiative designed to directly support organizations in their pursuit of additional funding. As part of our ongoing commitment to building capacity within the community, we allocated up to $220,000 for Grant-Writing Stipends in 2024. These stipends were available to organizations seeking technical assistance in grant writing, empowering them to work with a grant-writing consultant of their choice.
Read MoreCommunity Health Worker Awareness Week was held from August 26th to 30th. We’re excited to keep highlighting eastern Washington community health workers all year long! Discover more about these incredible individuals who are making a real difference through their dedication, compassion, and relentless commitment to enhancing community health.
Read MoreOpen Enrollment takes place November 1 – January 15, 2024. During this time, you can explore the various health insurance options that are available to you. It’s a time to evaluate your current healthcare needs and choose a plan that best suits your lifestyle and budget.
Read MoreSenate Bill 5580 is a new law that will help more people access health care during and after pregnancy. Specifically, it raises the income limit for programs like Apple Health for Pregnant Individuals and After-Pregnancy Coverage (APC).
Read MoreIt’s true! It’s having access to safe and affordable housing to come home to, the access and affordability of healthy food, the community who supports you, and so much more. Our mission at BHT is to improve the health of our region and support the growth of a network of community-based organizations, behavioral health specialists, and healthcare centers that support community needs.
Read MoreIn the first week of September, we had a formal walkthrough with a delegation of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) representatives from DC around our Community Health Worker (CHW) initiatives, including our training and apprenticeship programs and our Eastern Wa CHW Network. Read on to learn more about exciting updates and new opportunities taking place!
Read MoreCommunity Health Worker Awareness Week was held from August 26th to 30th. We’re excited to keep highlighting community health workers from eastern Washington! Discover more about these incredible individuals who are making a real difference through their dedication, compassion, and relentless commitment to enhancing community health.
Read MoreFrom August 26-30th , we will be celebrating National Community Health Worker Awareness Week at BHT, an opportunity to highlight and raise awareness of the incredible contributions of community health workers (CHWs), our everyday superheroes. These heroes don’t wear capes or fly through the sky; instead, they walk through our neighborhoods, clinics, and homes, working tirelessly to support and uplift their communities.
Read MoreIn June, BHT and a number of our community partners got together to pre-enroll folks in need into the Apple Health Expansion program. Due to limited funding, the available spaces filled up in less than 48 hours, however BHT and Community Partners had the honor of enrolling over 990 individuals in Eastern Washington!
Read MoreA collaboration between state agencies, tribes, counties, cities, communities, and business partners signals to people in Washington that we are facing fentanyl together. The events will take place on Friday, September 20, 2024, which is during Recovery Month.
Read MoreAfter a two-year break, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking provider participation in their annual Paying for Value survey, now issued through ServiceNow. The survey helps track progress toward a statewide goal of paying for health and value, rather than paying for volume of care.
Read MoreRecently, 74 youth who have, or are experiencing houselessness participated in an assessment to share their experiences to increase awareness of the challenges of youth houselessness in Spokane County.
Read MoreWarrant Fest played a pivotal role in addressing the legal challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability. This event focused on recalling warrants, providing individuals with crucial legal relief, and creating a more supportive and equitable community.
Read MoreWe are SO excited to announce that we have been selected as one of 20 organizations to be awarded funding through the US Aging Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care (COE). The COE is supported by the Administration for Community Living and will support community care hubs in their work to assess and address individuals’ health-related social needs and promote whole-person care.
Read MoreRecently, our president, Alison Poulsen, joined with several other leaders of the Washington ACHs (Accountable Communities of Health) to share state approaches to addressing health-related social needs and the future of community care coordination.
Read MoreMay 10, 2024
Board Members Present: Kelli Houston, Bryan Raines, Bob Lutz, Dvid Crump, Beverly Sarles, Mark Wakai, Julie Honekamp, Kurtis Robinson, David Crump, Lynn Kimball, Jennyfer Mesa, KJ January, Ricki Peone, Rachel Ferguson, Tamika LaMere, Luke Baumgartner, Shawn Brigman, Lacey Bacon, Juliana Repp, Kiana McKenna, Hancel Sanchez, and Ryann Louie, Stephanie Courtney, and Ash Riant
Rachel called us to order.
During the welcome, Rachel acknowledged Jennyfer Mesa and thanked her for her support of BHT as she has stepped down as Board Chair. Jennyfer shared thoughtful comments about the need for additional support for BIPOC leaders. The Chair role is a big commitment and requires added support for individuals, especially when they are from community-based organizations.
Kiana read our Land Acknowledgement.
Mark read our Statement on Anti Racism
Kelli provided a short equity reflection on the history of Black History Month.
Motion: To approve the May Consent Agenda
2023 Prelim Year End Financials
April Strategy & Living our Values Notes
April Governance & Belonging Notes
Moved: Dave Seconded: Luke APPROVED
Abstain: Julie
Alison provided a history of the Tribal Partners Leadership Council transitioning to the Tribal Partners Collaborative
Rachel and Kelly shared the thinking of the Board Goverannce and Belonging Committee and Board Strategy & Living our Values Committee recommendation that we hire a consultant to support the goals of:
Assess BHT’s current Board culture.
Lead a process to finalize values, beliefs and principles with our strategic direction.
Define the roles and responsibilities that we expect will include a Board Manual.
The Board provided feedback on skills/experience necessary.
Board Belong Survey was distributed
Adjourn
