Newsletter April - June 2021
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Good morning from the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida,
Things are very busy here as we continue to work on increasing the COVID-19 vaccination rate in our communities. There is still so much to do, and the recent and substantial increases in infections should remind us all that the pandemic is still far from over. The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida continues to focus on any opportunities to make a positive impact during this public health crisis.
We are pleased to announce that the City of Jacksonville has recently been awarded a grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to advance health literacy to enhance equitable responses to COVID-19 in Health Zone 1 (HZ1). The Health Planning Council has been chosen to lead this project. More information about the program and our partners is provided in the body of the newsletter below.
We are also pleased to announce that the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has engaged the 11 local/regional health councils throughout the state of Florida to perform a detailed State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) for all 67 counties. The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida is proud and pleased to offer our expertise in this collaborative effort. The SHA and SHIP provide an assessment of the highest priority health needs in the state and a detailed strategic action plan to address those needs in both an efficient and effective manner.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and the resources it provides. As always, feel free to reach out to me if you would like any additional information.
Best regards,
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Susan Grich
President & CEO
Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
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ACA NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
The ACA Special Enrollment Period (SEP) ends August 15, 2021. Consumers can take advantage of new savings through the American Rescue Plan, which includes an increase in the Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC). Consumers with income 100% to 150% FPL (less than $25,000/year) are eligible for free insurance plans after the tax credits, and consumers with income over 400% FPL are newly eligible for tax credits. People who receive unemployment benefits in 2021 will be eligible for free insurance plans. To learn more about health insurance enrollment during the pandemic, see the 2021 State of Enrollment Report. HPCNEF's Navigator assistance is free and confidential. For more information related to the Affordable Care Act/American Rescue Plan, contact Joyce Case at 904-762-8600 or email at joyce_case@hpcnef.org.
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OVERDOSE DATA TO ACTION (OD2A)
HPCNEF continues to work with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County on Overdose Data to Action (OD2A), a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This multi-million dollar grant is bringing much-needed financial support to innovative local organizations that are working to combat the opioid epidemic in Duval County. Our current subcontractors include Gateway Community Services, Premier Biotech, Yoga 4 Change, Healthy Start, Inspire to Rise, and the University of Florida’s Pain Assessment and Management Initiative (PAMI). This funding supports the creation and expansion of peer programs, a pain coach, and alternative pain management programming. For more information, contact OD2A.
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ST. JOHNS RIVER RURAL HEALTH NETWORK
The St. Johns River Rural Health Network (SJRRHN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that HPCNEF administers through the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Office of Rural Health. SJRRHN completed its first year of the Health Resources Services Administration Rural Health Network Development grant in partnership with SMA Healthcare servicing Putnam County. A five-year strategic plan, a project evaluation plan, and a data dashboard were just some of the completed deliverables. For more information, contact Flora Davis.
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA CANCER CONTROL COLLABORATIVE
Northeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NEFCCC) is one of six regional cancer collaboratives in the state meeting on a regular basis and implementing cancer control efforts aimed at increasing awareness about prevention and treatment through education, advocacy, and education. The regional collaboratives continue to work toward aligning their efforts with the Florida Cancer Plan 2020 - 2025. NEFCCC members formed a workgroup focused on improving access to early lung cancer screening for residents of Northeast Florida. NEFCCC presented information about this local initiative at the statewide CCRAB meeting on May 21, 2021. For more information, contact Kim Millrood.
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BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education Program participated at the Summer Safety Expo sponsored by the Mayor's Community Based Crime Reduction Program. Other event participation included the FDOT, Jacksonville Jaguars, JSO and other community partners. Bicycle helmets, helmet fittings, and safe biking and walking education were provided to adults and youth at this event held at Edward Waters College on June 26, 2021. In addition, the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Program will also be partnering with the Rotary Clubs of Fleming Island and Green Cove Springs on the Rotary Bike Ride to be held on August 28, 2021. Learn more about this upcoming event: Rotary Bike Ride. For more information about the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education Program, contact Jackie Morrison.
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U.S. CANCER STATISTICS 2018 DATA NOW AVAILABLE
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. One of every four deaths in the U.S. is due to cancer. The United States Cancer Statistics (USCS), produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Cancer Institute (NCI), released the latest national cancer statistics and data visualization tools. To Learn More: United States Cancer Statistics.
CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville has experienced triple the demand for behavioral health services for children and adolescents. Wolfson is bringing a national effort, On Our Sleeves, to the Northeast Florida region to address youth mental health issues. This program offers educational materials and resources to parents and schools. To Learn More: On Our Sleeves
COVID-19 UPDATES
Click below for the latest COVID-19 updates:
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HHS COJ: Advancing Health Literacy to Enhance Equitable Responses to COVID-19 in Health Zone 1 (HZ1)
HZ1 is an area that has a large population of vulnerable citizens with a comparatively low vaccination rate compared to the rest of the county. In addition, this population has the highest rate of poverty in the city and rates in the top 4% of the social vulnerability index. Low access to resources and information about disease rates, testing, treatment, and mitigating behavior add to already low vaccination rates. The City of Jacksonville has selected the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida to help provide education, training, and health literacy surrounding COVID-19 to both citizens and providers alike – all in the interest of providing timely, accurate, and specific fact-based information regarding the vaccine in a culturally appropriate manner. We look forward to working with the City of Jacksonville, the Population Health Consortium, Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities, the Mayor’s Health Literacy Media Campaign, The Eighth & Whitner Group, UF Health Jacksonville, DOH-Duval, and the many social services agencies that comprise the Duval Safety Net Collaborative to effect positive change in HZ1.
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WELCOME TO THE HEALTH PLANNING COUNCIL OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA!
Debbie Campbell is originally from Indiana and attended Vincennes University. She worked for AIG for 15 years in a customer service role. Debbie moved to Florida in 2013 to escape the harsh Indiana winters. She previously worked for HPCNEF as an ACA Marketplace Navigator from 2016 - 2018 and joined the organization again in this same role. Welcome back, Debbie!
Wendy Anthony is originally from New York and received her degree in Information Technology from the Air Force and an Administrative Degree from St. Leo's. She received Six Sigma and Microsoft Certified System Engineer certificates. She is an Air Force Veteran (20+ years) and served as Command Control Superintendent. Wendy also has 20 years of management and administrative experience. Wendy's role at HPCNEF is Project Manager for OD2A as well as ACA Marketplace Navigator.
Charles Royce is originally from Alabama and received his degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology at Auburn University. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida to begin his career in behavioral health and has served the Northeast Florida community for the past six years at various levels. From a clinician perspective to an administrative perspective, Charles has grown a strong sense of passion working in the field of behavioral health. Charles' role at HPCNEF is Director of Grants and Contracts.
Lillian Zeman is a Florida native and received her Bachelor of Public Health and Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Florida. She is passionate about all aspects of public health; however, her top three interests are cancer advocacy, program planning, and data analysis. Lillian is excited to begin her career at HPCNEF in the role of Data Research Analyst.
Kathy Harrison is originally from Virginia and received her BBA in Accounting from James Madison University. Having moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1990, she considers Jacksonville home. After multiple years serving as the Controller for The Regency Group, she found a passion for nonprofit work. She has assisted local nonprofits with stabilizing their financial position, and seeing opportunities for growth and refinement of the “back office” in order to further their mission. Kathy's role at HPCNEF is Director of Finance and HR.
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Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida | 904.448.4300 | Fax 904.448.4304 | www.hpcnef.org
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