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Year: 2020

IPHI Celebrates 10 Years of Service: A Message from our President & CEO

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Institute for Public Health Innovation. Since 2010, our organization has partnered with a range of public and private partners to strengthen health systems and policy, enhance conditions that promote health, and build healthier and more equitable communities for all.

As we face unprecedented health, economic, and environmental challenges in our region and throughout the world, we have witnessed the importance of building and sustaining strong public health infrastructure to protect our communities and provide innovative solutions to enhance health service systems. Now more than ever, we are grateful for our tremendous staff and partners that have played a crucial role in the history of our organization and our collective accomplishments to improve the public’s health and wellbeing across our region.

To celebrate and recognize ten years of service, we invite you to view our ten-year anniversary report to learn about our work and impact over the past decade.

In the coming years, we look forward to continuing to serve the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. region by expanding our initiatives and forging new partnerships to improve the health and wellness of our communities.

Thank you for your continued support, commitment, and partnership.

Sincerely,

Michael Rhein
President & CEO

Community Advisory Board Engages County Residents to Address Food Security Needs in Montgomery County

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

Residents Advocate for a Sustainable and Equitable Local Food System

Since its founding in 2019, the Montgomery County Food Council’s Community Advisory Board (FSCAB) has been a vessel for engaging the voices of county residents who are currently, or have in the past, experienced food insecurity. Members help to support the Montgomery County Food  Council’s mission to create a robust, sustainable, equitable local food system. 

The FSCAB allows members to provide their insight and feedback on the implementation of the county’s Food Security Plan, which outlines strategies and recommendations to reduce the number of food insecure residents in the county. In addition to participating in skills-building trainings on topics such as community engagement and advocacy, FSCAB members share their perspectives on food access barriers as well as develop policies and action items to fight hunger in their communities.

Being a part of the Advisory Board allows us to help people in our community who are low income–many of whom represent racial and ethnic minorities–as well as individuals with physical and mental disabilities, college students and so many more.”

–Rhona Reiss, Community Advisory Board Member

Board members, such as founding member and passionate mental health advocate Rhona Reiss, draw on their lived experience to guide the implementation of the Plan’s recommendations by the Food Council and its partners. “As a food pantry recipient, I saw a need for healthier food options for our community. After expressing these concerns to the Food Council as a board member, I immediately saw greater integration of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Reiss.

In addition to suggesting that the food banks provide more nutritious foods, Rhona has also advocated that prepared foods be available. At present, a SNAP recipient is unable to use food stamps to purchase prepared foods at the supermarkets or grocery stores. This means that a person with a physical, cognitive, or mental challenge cannot get a rotisserie chicken or a cooked pizza, and many of the food banks do not provide prepared foods.

Rhona believes that this regulation discriminates against people with disabilities, many of whom are unable to assemble a meal from raw ingredients. “Many seniors are in this category. Persons with cognitive and mental challenges are often unable to organize the preparation of a meal. It would be so much easier for these folks to use their benefits for prepared foods,” said Reiss.

The Community Advisory Board, composed of 13 residents from around Montgomery County engages in a variety of activities. Last year members received a community engagement training from IMPACT Silver Spring and an advocacy training from the Office of Community Partnerships. This year, members have met with county council members, state, and federal legislators as part of a Maryland anti-hunger delegation and testified on a SNAP bill in Annapolis.

The Montgomery County Food Council is currently funded by the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative. For more information about the Community Advisory Board or to support with a donation click here.

About the Transforming Communities Initiative

The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners.  Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.

TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health.

Montgomery County Anti-Vaping Campaign Announces Finalists From PSA Contest

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

The Campaign Called on Youth to Create Content Aimed at Educating and Preventing Their Peers From Using E-Cigarettes

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) are excited to share the finalists from their anti-vaping PSA video contest for students.

This contest, part of TCI’s goal to promote tobacco-free living, challenged students from 6th to 12th-grade living in Montgomery County to submit creative PSA-style videos for other young people, warning about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Ninety-two individual and group submissions were entered by 263 students and reviewed by a panel of judges for the chance to win a cash prize.

“My Story So Far”, submitted by a Damascus High School student, was awarded first place and followed by entries from the French International School, Northwood High School, Silver Creek Middle School, and Sherwood High School. Special acknowledgment was also given to Silver Creek Middle School and Mario A. Loiederman Middle School for submitting the most videos.

A logo for the campaign, inspired by the submissions of students, has been developed. The official campaign including social media graphics and messaging as well as bus ads will be launched in the coming month.

To view all the finalists’ videos or for more information and resources on the anti-vaping campaign, visit the website here.

About the Transforming Communities Initiative

The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners.  Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.

TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health.

Bringing Hope Through Nutrition and Wellness Assistance

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

How The Food is Medicine Program Is Reducing The Burden of Diabetes Among Residents of Montgomery County

The links between diet and diabetes are clear — good nutrition is an effective form of prevention and balanced, predictable meals are essential to diabetes management. In Montgomery County, over 60,000 residents are food insecure – meaning they lack reliable access to sufficient and nutritious food. This makes the management of chronic disease especially difficult, largely among low-income residents served by Montgomery County’s safety-net health care programs including Montgomery Cares and Care for Kids.

Food is Medicine offers a way to bridge the gap between local safety-net health systems and food access, reducing the burden of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The program integrates food insecurity screenings into health care visits and case management, combined with clear pathways for food assistance and nutrition education referrals by Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Olanike’s Story

Olanike moved to the US from Nigeria where she experienced violence and a corrupt government. A patient of Mobile Med, she was screened for food insecurity and referred to the Food is Medicine program partner, CHEER. In addition to diabetes, Olanike also suffered from high blood pressure. When the CHEER community health workers (CHWs) contacted her initially, Olanike did not know much about diabetes and did not have a car. The team at CHEER signed her up to have fruits and vegetables delivered to her home. After meeting with a CHW in-person, Olanike learned to eat small portions of fruits and vegetables and her goal was to improve control of her diabetes and lower her HbA1c. She began an exercise routine and with the support of her CHW was able to continue through the winter. At the end of the program, she was connected to additional food assistance resources for ongoing support.

After 7 months of completing the program, Olanike improved her glycemic control (HbA1c), bringing it from poor control to good and lost over 20 pounds. Since joining the program, Olanike obtained her nurse’s aide license and now has a full-time job, her own apartment, and a car.

The Food is Medicine program has connected over 2,000 individuals like Olanike to food assistance services and local food pantries. The program also offers individual and group nutrition classes as well as regular, family-friendly, healthy cooking demonstrations to diabetic & pre-diabetic residents. Sixty-five percent (65%) of diabetic and pre-diabetic patients that have received this intensive intervention experienced weight loss and improved their glycemic control, reducing their long-term health care spending.

Food is Medicine was funded by the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative and the Business Leaders Fighting Hunger. For more information about the program or to support with a donation click here. 

About Transforming Communities Initiative

The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners.  Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.

TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health.

Montgomery County Public Schools Launches First School Wellness Council Toolkit in the State of Maryland

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

The Toolkit Aims to Provide Schools with the Resources Necessary to Successfully Implement Local Wellness Councils and Improve Wellness

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is excited to announce the release of the MCPS School Wellness Toolkit. Montgomery County Public Schools partnered with the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) to develop this toolkit in order to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the creation of local school wellness councils. These local wellness councils guide schools to identify their wellness needs and develop goals to enhance student health and well-being.

The school wellness toolkit will help assure that schools are compliant with the MCPS Wellness Policy/Regulations, which focuses on promoting physical and nutritional health, social-emotional well-being, and ensures that schools are compliant with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements.  Language in the MCPS Wellness Regulations states that each school must have a  local school wellness committee as well as the inclusion of a component of wellness in each school’s School Improvement Plan (SIP).  The toolkit provides technical guidance as well as a link to hands-on individual support as needed.

MCPS is the first public school system to develop such a toolkit in the state of Maryland. Currently, there are over 110 local school wellness councils established in MCPS. To learn about their accomplishments click here.

Funding for the toolkit was made possible by the support of Trinity Health, Health Montgomery TCI, the Healthcare Initiative Foundation and the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. 

About the Transforming Communities Initiative

The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners.  Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.

TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health. 

New Online Portal Aims to Inform Students and Families About Walking and Bicycling Routes to and From Schools

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Story Map is Helping Montgomery County Students Stay Safe and Active this School Year

As part of the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI), the Montgomery County Department of Transportation launched a brand-new, online-based web application also known as a Story Map aimed to be used as an informational resource for the County and its schools. The Story Map is a part of the Safe Routes to School Initiative which aims to increase the number of students in Montgomery County who walk or bike to school. Safe Routes to School is one of five strategies of the TCI. 

Photo: Montgomery County Department of Transportation/Story Map

The online Story Map highlights several schools, centralizing information from all their main events and activities in one, user-friendly location. The resource also helps families locate routes and identify areas that require improvements.

By making this resource available, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation hopes that it will bring much-needed information – such as walking and biking routes, toolkits, pedestrian education, and safety trainings – to families and youth.

“Bike safety, support at Open House, and other evening events with our community were so beneficial to connect our work between home and the broader community. We are so thankful for your education of our students in the safety of riding bikes as they have likely been doing a lot of bike riding during COVID-19,” said Elise M. Burgess, Principal of Sally K. Ride Elementary School.

For more information on Safe Routes to School and to view the Story Map visit: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-PedSafety/srts/storymap.html.

 

About the Transforming Communities Initiative

The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners.  Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.

TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health.

DC Healthy Homes Collaborative Creates Videos and Materials to Keep Families Healthy

Posted on by Kady Pecorella

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–July 16, 2020

Home Tips to Keep Families Healthy

As families enter their fourth month home with children, the DC Healthy Housing Collaborative (DCHHC) knows one of parents’ top concerns is how to keep homes clean and pest-free. For parents of children with asthma, this can be even more concerning. The more time their child is exposed to asthma triggers in the home, the more likely the child may need to go to the hospital at a time when that can cause an increase in COVID-19 exposure.

To respond to these concerns, the Collaborative developed a suite of materials to help families take small steps to keep pests out of the home and reduce the presence of other allergens that can trigger asthma.

“We know families are facing a lot of stress and worry right now,” said Dr. Janet Phoenix, MD, MPH of the DC Asthma Coalition. “Our hope is these resources offer a few simple steps that make everyone in their home breathe a little easier.”

The relationship between poor housing conditions and certain health problems such as asthma and lead poisoning is well-documented. In D.C., one’s race, income, and neighborhood too often predict the potential for poor housing conditions that can negatively influence health.

In the videos, Children’s Law Center family outreach worker, Kayla Brandon, walks viewers through two tutorials, one focused on how to take small steps to keep asthma under control in a home and the other on how to keep mice and roaches away.

The resources are being shared with nonprofit partners and medical providers so that families, especially those who have asthma, can keep on top of housing issues during a time when landlords may not be able to fix them quickly or easily.

For more information and to access these resources, visit http://bit.ly/DCHealthyHousing.

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About the DC Healthy Housing Collaborative

The DC Healthy Housing Collaborative is a multi-sector coalition seeking to address substandard housing conditions that contribute to significant health issues affect District of Columbia residents.

The relationship between poor housing conditions and certain health problems such as asthma and lead poisoning is well-documented. In D.C., one’s race, income, and neighborhood too often predict the potential for poor housing conditions that can negatively influence health. The DC Healthy Housing Collaborative (DCHHC) convenes a broad range of partners representing government agencies, healthcare, public health, health insurance providers, housing services, legal services, policy advocacy groups, financial institutions, and many others, united in pursuit of policy and systems changes that will lead to healthier housing conditions.  IPHI is a core member of the DCHHC and serves as the Collaborative’s backbone organization.

We envision a DC where all housing promotes health, wellness, safety, and is affordable. DC will be a city where all are welcome and can thrive in powerful resilient and well-resourced communities.

Members include AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, DC Asthma Coalition, Children’s Law Center, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), IMPACT DC (Children’s National Hospital), Institute for Public Health Innovation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC DC), and Yachad.

For more information on the DC Healthy Housing Collaborative, contact Abby Charles, Program Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation, at [email protected].

Fairfax County Health Department Partners with IPHI to Expand Contact Tracing Efforts

Posted on by MichaelRhein

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –May 28, 2020

Fairfax County Health Department Partners with IPHI to Expand Contact Tracing Efforts

Today, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) in Virginia announced a new partnership with the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) to hire and train staff for COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.

Across the country, state and local jurisdictions are ramping up contact tracing as a central component of the fight against the pandemic.  Contact tracing is the process of communicating with individuals who have probable or diagnosed COVID-19 illness to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact and potentially exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Public health staff then reach out to those contacts to inform them of their potential exposure. As staff speak with contacts, they help individuals assess risk and share information and instructions for self-monitoring, isolation and staying healthy.

To help the Health Department scale up its contact tracing efforts, IPHI will recruit, hire and train contact tracing staff, community health workers, and other staff as needed who will be deployed to work as integrated members of the FCHD COVID-19 response team.

For more information on the initiative, see Fairfax County Health Department’s press release.

Information on available job opportunities and how to apply for the positions can be found on IPHI’s careers page at:  https://www.institutephi.org/careers/

For more information on contact tracing, please visit:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/contact-investigations.

Virginia Re-establishes Statewide Immunization Coalition in Response to Falling Immunization Rates

Posted on by MichaelRhein

Virginia Re-establishes Statewide Immunization Coalition in Response to Falling Immunization Rates

With seed funding from the Virginia Department of Health, IPHI is working to re-establish a statewide immunization coalition in Virginia, called ImmunizeVA. The first coalition meeting will take place virtually in May 2020 after the initial launch was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 crisis.

ImmunizeVA is composed of public health professionals and community leaders from across Virginia working together to improve immunization rates in the Commonwealth. The vision of ImmunizeVA is a future where the quality and length of life of Virginians is not decreased by diseases that can be prevented by immunizations. ImmunizeVA will serve as an important and essential strategy to increase and improve immunization rates. With immunization rates falling across Virginia dramatically, the launch of this coalition is absolutely essential to improve coordination, public education and resource development for this critical public health issue.

For more information on ImmunizeVA, email [email protected].

Food Equity Council Leads COVID-19 Food Assistance Response in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Posted on by MichaelRhein

Food Equity Council Leads COVID-19 Food Assistance Response in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Since the COVID-19 crisis began in March, the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) has been one of the leading organizations for Prince George’s County’s COVID-19 food assistance response. Housed at IPHI, the FEC’s work has focused on coordinating the diverse partners and County agencies working to address the food assistance response and support residents. During the COVID-19 response, the FEC has increased the support and services it provides to vulnerable residents and communities.

During the month of April 2020, the FEC achieved the following:

  • Provided direct food donation coordination to partners resulting in over 10,000 prepared meals delivered to residents in need;
  • Conducted resident food navigation services including connecting residents to food assistance providers;
  • Created and launched the County’s only comprehensive online food assistance directory which has received over 13,000 hits since it launched a month ago;
  • Coordinated with 211 and the Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline to direct staff to relevant food resources;
  • Provided County Council members and the County’s Library System with resources to share with their clients and constituents;
  • Co-Hosted bi-weekly virtual convenings for over 70 food assistance providers, non-profit partners, and County agencies and leadership in partnership with the Department of Social Services.
  • Coordinated daily with the County Executive’s office, County agencies, regional food councils, and the philanthropic community to ensure we are taking advantage of resources available and implementing promising practices and that there is widespread awareness of the food access needs of residents;
  • Coordinated with food businesses such as regional food hubs, restaurants, farmers markets, and growers to connect them to market opportunities that address both their needs and the needs of food-insecure residents; and
  • Provided educational resources and advocacy support for food businesses, growers, farmers markets, and restaurants.

While ramping up efforts to address urgent direct food assistance needs to residents, the FEC remains dedicated to contributing to long-term solutions and building infrastructure to help prepare the County for a future food assistance crisis management.

For more information on the Prince George’s Food Equity Council and to find out how to provide support, contact Sydney Daigle, [email protected].