Better Health Together's Equity Program Coordinator, Alethea Dumas (pictured above), designed, launched, and co-facilitated virtual spaces in response to our nation's racial and political strife during 2020. Learn more about these unique spaces and what to expect in 2021.
Read MoreAs we entered 2020, the Board agreed to a deliberate effort to plan for BHT beyond the Waiver. From May through September 2020, the Board engaged in a planning process focused on our future and financial sustainability. The process included reviewing our history, assessing our capabilities and initiatives, surveying the external environment, and gathering staff input. Board members discussed gaps in the region and identified opportunities to build on and expand current work. Finally, the Board identified areas for us to focus on going forward.
Read MoreJanuary 15 marked the last day of Open Enrollment 8. We are sure you can hear the collective sigh of relief as our hardworking Navigator Network eased back into a more normal pace of work. Our Access to Care team along with the entire Navigator Network assisted over 4,000 of these individuals in gaining or continuing their health coverage.
Read MoreWith a mostly virtual legislative session before us, we urge the Legislature to be intentional in its inclusion of the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in its decision making.
Read MoreWe are so pleased Smile Spokane and its Healthy Smiles Subcommittee are the recipients of Arcora’s Oral Health Hero Awards for their work toward implementing Community Water Fluoridation. This couldn’t have happened without the amazing leadership of Alison Poulsen, Jerrie Allard, and Ben Stuckart along with the groundswell of support from countless community members, health care members, housing organizations, church pastors, activists, and parents who came out to support this public health initiative. This is a critical first step to radically improving the oral health of our city.
Arcora Foundation
BHT is excited to announce the final funding recommendation for community projects applying for our Criminal Justice RFP. Revive Center for Returning Citizens, Pioneer Human Services, The Way to Justice, and The Freedom Project, were chosen for our adult-focused projects. Pend Oreille County Counseling Services will receive funding for our rural projects. We have selected Northeast Youth and Family Services and Spokane Public Schools behavioral health Agency for youth funding.
Read MoreA reflection from our Director of Tribal Relations, Jenny Slagle. Thank you for gathering with us this year!
Read MoreDecember Topics: Capacity Connect dashboard launch; 2021 BH workforce investments overview
Read MoreAffordable Housing Policy Letters
See the letters here
Sign-on link - open to orgs & individuals (please sign & share!)
CVC 2021 Recruitment
reach out to Reese (reese@betterhealthtogether.org) with recruits!
Equity workgroups
All groups - Data Collection Plan worksheet
BH workgroup
Updated draft resource guide - coming soon
Partner shares
The ZoNE Project – new organizer introduction
Parenting classes flyer (Spanish & English)
Register clients for Circle of Security: https://forms.gle/6osPPvewZUSMXHXr9
Spokane City Council Housing Forum - Nov 24, 6-8pm
Information here
Can also contact Alex Gibilisco (agibilisco@spokanecity.org)
Spokane City Council 1590 vote - Nov 30, 6-8pm
Looking for testifiers, especially those with lived experience - contact Katie Ashmore Zinler (katie@spokanealliance.org)
Information here
Rental assistance available at SNAP - info here
Peer Coach training (Recovery Coach CCAR)
Peer Spokane offering training in December on Zoom
For information, email info@peerspokane.org
BHT Trainings
Why Race Matters – last offering in 2020!
3 part series – Nov 30, Dec 2 & 4 (Mon-Weds-Fri). Open to all BHT partners.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression training
Tues, Dec 15, 9-12
Focus on treatment of children & adolescents
CEUs available – Register here
All Counties had to revise their focus or activities due to COVID-19.
Adams County has chosen its measures and will begin work on increasing access to preventative care for women living in Adams County. Quarterly story reports will be available for partners to track progress.
Lincoln County will be posting a job for the Equity Focused Prevention Specialist in the coming weeks. This position will lead the equity work in Lincoln County and outreach low-income adults in Lincoln County, with a goal to increase access to behavioral health services.
Stevens County is waiting until Commissioners are in place to move forward with a revised equity project plan.
Ferry County has chosen to focus on suicide prevention, as suicide rates have increased in rural areas during the COVID pandemic. They will be working to saturate the Ferry County population with suicide prevention training and de-stigmatization of behavioral health issues. This project is set to start in January 2021 and will include an online resource site and free to the public online trainings.
Pend Oreille has begun its work to improve the mental health of youth in their region, with a commitment from multiple partners, in multiple sectors working to outreach the Pend Oreille County youth.
Better Health Together is committed to supporting and providing these spaces to grieve, heal, and organize for change in our community. Spaces will be held December 18th, 16th, and 30th. Please share within your organization.
Read MoreThe Why Race Matters Workshop has been designed by Greater Spokane Progress to provide a foundation for further racial equity work.
Read MoreThe Navigators at BHT are available to assist with health and dental plan enrollments during Open Enrollment starting November 1 until January 15.
Read MoreOctober Topics: Workforce development & support; BH access; Capacity Connect
Read MoreEquity workgroups
Workgroup notes - combined
All groups - Data Collection Plan worksheet
Housing workgroup
Activity 1: Draft policy statement
BH workgroup
Partner shares
Transitions - People Who Care 2020 fundraiser
ZONe Project – Circle of Security parenting series in English & Spanish
Contact Jene Ray (ray@necommunitycenter.com) to register or with questions
Arcora – Mighty Mouth oral health kits
Aimed at organizations that serve pregnant women and mothers of young children. Kits will include a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss and messaging about the importance of dental care, DentistLink info and a little info on community water fluoridation as well.
Email Stacy Torrance (Storrance@arcorafoundation.org) if interested
Spectrum & BHT – Working with LGBTQ+ Communities Workshop
Monday, October 26th tailored for healthcare and behavioral health professionals. Monday, November 2nd tailored for those who work in education and social services. Both sessions are open to all community members and will cover similar content.
BHT – Tribal Relations Training
4 part series – Nov 5, 12, 19, and Dec 3. Open to all BHT partners
Topics include regional tribal history, Indian health care, changing the narrative, and much more
DOH – Knock Out Flu toolkit
DOH Think of It as Essential campaign launched in mid-September to promote the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year. As a supplement to the statewide campaign, the materials are available for partners to use on their communication channels.
Check out this 4-part series on Tribal Relations collaboratively designed by the BHT Tribal Partners Leadership Council, local tribal community members, and the EWU Office of Native American Affairs.
Read MoreSpectrum Center is facilitating this interactive workshop that will encompass language, issues, and experiences related to LGBTQ+ communities, as well as understandings of allyship and LGBTQ+ focused practices. Facilitators will challenge participants to consider how they can be active in making their communities safer for LGBTQ+ people. Discussions and activities will focus heavily on the intersecting identities and experiences that exist within LGBTQ+ communities and the best ways to interrupt exclusion.
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