To our partners in health:

I am writing to you with an update about our Community Assistance Program which addresses health-related social needs for patients and Medicaid members across Oregon. You are part of a health system or community partnership that collaborates to make this work happen.

We hope to share these updates regularly so our community can stay apprised of the program's development, reach, impact, and offerings. If you know others who should be added to the list, forward along!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me personally with any questions or partnership opportunities.

Sincerely,

Carly Hood-Ronick, MPA, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

About the Community Assistance Program (CAP)

This program supports local health care providers, hospitals, payers, and CCOs as they access the resources needed to help patients recover, maintain, and improve their health. Our staff prioritize supporting local businesses and community-based organizations who provide goods and services, streamlining payment and facilitating communication with major buyers.

Each year, CAP connects more than 12,500 individuals to critical services such as:

• Hotels and short-term rental support
• Transportation
• Meal and food delivery
• Diabetic and pharmacy supplies
• Furniture purchase and delivery
• Health classes and camps
• Air conditioners, fans, and utility support
• Recovery and addiction services
• Prepaid cell phones and plans
• And much more

Join us as we offer collaborative, streamlined solutions to help health care providers better access services to improve community health.

How CAP works

In Q4 of 2022, health systems supported over $2 million in community spending

Current program partners

In addition to the over 200 community partners we utilize to deliver health-related resources, we are proud to partner with major hospitals and Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon who identify those most in need of social supports. Our program is quickly growing and you will see this list expanding over the coming months! Please reach out if you would like to explore partnership with our CAP program.

Thank you!

PANOW in the news

PANOW recently co-authored a letter to the editor with Meals on Wheels People CEO Suzanne Washington. The topic was hunger in our community, especially as a result of emergency pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ending. We hope to continue highlighting our partners in the local media as well as ways that PANOW's CAP program can help solve these challenges.

Community partner feature

Food is health and, via CAP, we ensure that healthy food is reaching those who need it most.

Partners such as Mudbone Grown LLC, a Black-owned farm enterprise, ensure locally-grown, nourishing fruits and vegetables reach members of our community made most vulnerable by an unequal health care system. We offer connection to their food boxes through our contracted network.

Shantae Johnson, Program Director and Farm Manager of Feed'em Freedom Farm (Corbett, OR)

Shantae Johnson is a certified community health worker, doula, breastfeeding peer counselor, farmer and food justice warrior. She is a cultural bridge builder with strengths in community organizing, project management, and program creation with a public health lens. She is a parent, healer, chef, and referee to their six beautiful children.

Shantae sits on Oregon Board of Agriculture, is the President of BOLT (Black Oregon Land Trust), Co-Creator of the Black Food Fund, advisor on the Vivian Barnett Fellowship, sits on the Racial Justice Council of Oregon, and is the Executive Director of Feed'em Freedom, Mudbone Grown's new nonprofit.

Arthur Shavers, Operations and Infrastructure Project Manager of Feed'em Freedom Farm (Corbett, OR)

Arthur Shavers is a farmer with a passion for creating infrastructure. He is also a community organizer, idea implementation generator and professional leather smith. He is a native Portlander with strong ties to the black community. He is creating foodscaping paradises using landscaping and structural innovation. He is the President of their nonprofit, Feed'em Freedom.

Our team is growing!

We are pleased to announce we recently hired three more program support staff, which will greatly increase the capacity of PANOW to serve the Portland metro region - and beyond - and to rapidly address social needs

PROGRAM STAFF:

• Sandra Rivera (she/her/hers/ella) - Program Manager
• Brenda Morales (she/her/hers) - Accounts Lead
• Jennifer Romero (she/her/hers/ella) - Support Specialist
• Marilyn Thompson (she/her/hers/ella) - Support Specialist
• Daniela Rodas Sanchez (she/her/hers/ella) - Support Specialist
• Emily Grozav she/her/hers) - Account Specialist
• Mona Choo (she/her/hers) - Account Specialist

CONTACT US:

Call/Fax: (503) 345-6732 

Email: c3cap@projectaccessnow.org

About Project Access NOW – watch this video

Project Access NOW is a nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon. We believe health care is a human right. Our programs fill the gaps in a broken health care system, acting as "the safety net to the safety net."

Learn more at: projectaccessnow.org.