Meet Some of Eastern Washington's Community Health Workers (Our Heroes!)

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Meet Some of Eastern Washington's Community Health Workers (Our Heroes!)

From 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.

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Honoring Our Everyday Superheroes for National Community Health Worker Awareness Week

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From 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.

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Over 990 Individuals in Eastern Washington Enrolled in Recent Apple Health Expansion

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Over 990 Individuals in Eastern Washington Enrolled in Recent Apple Health Expansion

In 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!  

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Funding Opportunity: Offset Lost Billable Hours for BH Forum Member Organizations

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Funding Opportunity: Offset Lost Billable Hours for BH Forum Member Organizations

The Better Health Together Behavioral Health Forum approved $45,000 of funding to offset lost billable hours. These dollars provide direct payments to member organizations to replace income lost when staff members are engaged in training that prevents them from billing for their time.

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BHT one of 20 Nationwide selected for US Aging Center of Excellence Funding

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BHT one of 20 Nationwide selected for US Aging Center of Excellence Funding

We 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.

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Apple Health Expansion: Expanding Immigrant Health Coverage in WA

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Apple Health Expansion: Expanding Immigrant Health Coverage in WA

Apple Health Expansion provides free healthcare coverage for adults age 19 and older with certain immigration statuses, including undocumented community members.

Have you previously applied for Washington Apple Health and were denied due to immigration status? You may be eligible for Apple Health Expansion! Applying for Apple Health is always free and does not impact immigration status.

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May 2024 Board Minutes

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May 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  

April Board Minutes  

April Finance Committee Notes  

2023 Prelim Year End Financials  

Feb 2024 YTD Financials  

April Strategy & Living our Values Notes  

April Governance & Belonging Notes  

May Executive Committee Notes  

Moved: Dave Seconded: Luke APPROVED 

Abstain: Julie 

Tribal Partners Collaborative Update 

Alison provided a history of the Tribal Partners Leadership Council transitioning to the Tribal Partners Collaborative 

Board Development Updates 

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 

Health and Housing: An Overview of the Literature

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Health and Housing: An Overview of the Literature

Better Health Together supports housing-first approaches to solving homelessness. We understand that safe and affordable shelter is fundamental to achieving health equity. The Housing First approach prioritizes establishing access to decent, safe, and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness to ensure the needed stability for improving health. Review the literature supporting this approach to learn more!

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