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Author: Julia Groenfeldt

Happy Pride from IPHI!

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

This month, we celebrate Pride – a chance to reflect on the progress made for those in the LGBTQ+ community, to learn about the issues most impacting their lives today and to speak up for those whose voices have been marginalized.

While the community has seen significant victories in the last year (including a Supreme Court case that protects all from workplace discrimination), the work is far from finished. In fact, members of the LGBT population continue to experience worse physical and mental health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. Healthy People 2030 has identified nationwide objectives to understand and improve the health of the LGBT population. It’s critical that we include all in our work to improve health equity.

Currently, much of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality is centered on transgender rights. Lawmakers across the country are actively considering legislation that restricts LGBTQ+ youth from participating in activities that match their gender identity. Violence against those who identify as transgender is at an all-time high, with 2020 being the deadliest year for the transgender community ever.

So, what can you do?

Start simple. Even the action of asking for someone’s pronouns and sharing your own in email signatures and social profiles, can help foster acceptance and show your support. Here’s a guide to get started.

If you don’t identify as a member of this community, there are ways you can help and support their journey. Here are 10 ways to be an Ally & a Friend.

This month is about more than parades and parties. Pride Month has its origins in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising – a protest led by black transgender women after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. To learn more about the origins of Pride Month, visit.

In the meantime, here are a few resources to learn more:

Equality Virginia: https://equalityvirginia.org/

The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community: https://thedccenter.org/

Equality Chamber of Commerce DC Metro Area: https://www.eccdc.biz/

GLAAD: https://www.glaad.org/

Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/

National Center for Transgender Equality: https://transequality.org/

Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA): http://www.glma.org

Healthy People: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health

Webinar: 4/16/21 – “Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis in Virginia”

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

In February of this year, Virginia became the first southern state to declare racism a public health crisis. This resolution, sponsored by Delegate Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg), is a significant step for a state built on the legacy of the Confederacy and segregationist policy. Virginia joins 181 cities and counties and 7 states in declaring racism a public health crisis.

The Institute for Public Health Innovation is proud to partner with Voices for Virginia’s Children and the Virginia Public Health Association to present a webinar series that will explore the background, context, and future for this resolution.

Please join us for part 1 “Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis in Virginia” of our webinar series “Racism is a Public Health Crisis.” More details will come soon for future webinars.

Event Details – “Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis in Virginia”

When: April 16, 2021, 12 – 1:30 PM

To register, click HERE.

Key Speakers: Delegate Lashrecse Aird ,VA House of Delegates; Cynthia Hudson, Chair of the Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in Virginia Law; Tina Stevens, Councilwoman for Stephens City, VA; and Chloe Edwards, Policy Analyst, Voices for Virginia’s Children.

The event flyer can be found: HERE.

Upcoming Webinars:

  • June: “The National Landscape and Next Steps for Virginia”
  • August: “Community Perspectives on Racism as a Public Health Crisis”
  • October: “From Declaration to Action”

The flyer for these events can be found HERE. Please feel free to share it widely within your network!

For additional questions, please contact Senior Program Manager Rebecca Epstein at [email protected].

The Food Equity Council’s COVID-19 Food Assistance Response in Prince George’s County, Maryland: A One-Year Update 

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

Release Date: April 01, 2021

The Food Equity Council’s COVID-19 Food Assistance Response in Prince George’s County, Maryland: A One-Year Update

It’s been one year since Prince George’s County saw its first COVID-19 case. Since then, over 79,000 Prince Georgian’s have been infected and over 1,300 have died.

As we mark this somber occasion, the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) is looking back on both the health and economic hardship that impacted the county as well as new opportunities that surfaced as members of the FEC stepped up to lead the county’s COVID-19 food security response.

This past year, the FEC saw existing social, health, and economic inequities unearthed and underscored. Prince George’s County, a majority Black county, experienced the highest death rates in Maryland from complications related to COVID-19. Food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations, skyrocketed by 20 percent leaving over 150,000 residents food insecure. Unemployment rose as businesses shuttered and families struggled to keep food on the table as school meal services stalled. These disruptions were a shock to our county’s systems, and agencies were unprepared for the social service demands our county residents required.

Seeing this need, last March, the FEC pivoted our work to coordinate the diverse partners and agencies working to address emergency food assistance relief and response. Over the past year, the FEC has:

  • Created and launched the county’s only comprehensive online food assistance directory in English and Spanish, which has received over 120,000 hits since it launched a year ago;
  • Provided resident food navigation services including connecting residents to food assistance providers and 211 staff;
  • Launched the county’s first food recovery platform to reduce food waste and increase food donations to food assistance providers and pantries;
  • Secured funding to purchase three refrigerated trailers to increase cold storage capacity for food assistance providers throughout the county;
  • Co-Hosted 20 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 with our 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;
  • Provided direct food donation coordination to partners resulting in over 10,000 daily prepared meals delivered to residents in need at the peak of the pandemic;
  • Provided County Council members and the County’s Library System with resources to share with their clients and constituents;
  • 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.

As vaccines become more widely available and infection rates slow, there is much cause for celebration. However, at the same time, we know that the food insecurity crisis is far from over. Over the course of the next year, the FEC remains committed to continuing our work to address the food assistance response and support residents and families in need through coordinated resources and information sharing. In addition, the FEC is actively working with the County’s Food Security Task Force to develop recommendations to increase food security and build a more resilient and crisis-ready food system. 

We extend our gratitude to the many partners that have and continue to support our work. As a volunteer-based council incubated within the Institute for Public Health Innovation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the FEC depends on the generous support of community members and organizations. If you are able to support us with a contribution of any size, please donate here. 

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

The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council Launches New Food Recovery Platform to Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste

Posted on by Julia Groenfeldt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– January 25, 2021

Media Contacts:
Julia Groenfeldt, [email protected]

The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council Launches New Food Recovery Platform to Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD — The Prince George’s Food Equity Council (FEC), an initiative of the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) has joined the Food Rescue US network to launch the Food Rescue US platform in Prince George’s County. The county’s food recovery efforts will be coordinated by FEC staff and funding from the Greater Washington Community Foundation and Philip L. Graham Fund. 

Food Rescue US, a national nonprofit organization, is a leader in food rescue operations. Since 2011, Food Rescue US has helped launch food recovery communities in 39 locations across the country, providing more than 56 million meals and keeping over 75 million pounds of food out of landfills. Through the use of its proprietary software, Food Rescue US provides the platform for volunteer food rescuers to directly transfer excess food from businesses to local social service agencies that feed the food insecure. Using the technology platform, the FEC will help coordinate food rescue donors, volunteer rescuers, and food assistance service providers to support hunger relief efforts and reduce food waste in Prince George’s County.  

“We’re excited to expand our reach into Prince George’s County and work with the Food Equity Council,” said Carol Shattuck, CEO, Food Rescue US. “Working directly with community organizations doing critical work for their residents, Food Rescue US is able to provide our innovative technology and institutional knowledge to empower their food recovery work.” 

Since 2013, the FEC has collaborated with residents, local businesses, organizations, and county government to create systemic change to the local food system, promote health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being in Prince George’s County. This past year, the FEC’s work has taken on a new urgency as the COVID-19 pandemic caused skyrocketing rates of food insecurity and high demand for food among food assistance providers and social service organizations. According to the Capital Area Food Bank, over 104,760 county residents were food insecure in 2020, the highest in the Metro DC Region. By developing a robust food waste and recovery network, IPHI, FEC, and Food Rescue US hope to create a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system that can support the growing number of food-insecure residents. 

“Through the use of Food Rescue US platform we are able to create infrastructure changes to ensure that we don’t miss opportunities to connect food donors and services providers,” said Evelyn Kelly, Program Director at IPHI. “We will not only help families in need but also reduce our environmental footprint and food waste in our landfills.” 

Over the next few months, FEC staff will conduct outreach among businesses, organizations, volunteers, and providers to expand the Food Rescue US network in the county and bring partners onto the platform. The easy to use platform is free and available for desktop use. Food donors are invited to sign up to provide available food. Residents interested in volunteering can sign up to pick up and deliver food. Food providers can sign up to receive food to support food assistance and donation efforts. Everything is coordinated directly via the platform, and FEC staff are available to provide additional support and assistance to coordinate donations and delivery throughout Prince George’s County. 

About the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council: 

The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) is a local food policy council that works to help residents grow, sell, and choose healthy foods. Since 2013, FEC has been a voice for county residents at the policymaking table. The FEC focuses on systematic and sustainable changes to promote health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being in Prince George’s by advocating for policy that creates a more equitable local food system. The FEC is housed within the Institute for Public Health Innovation. For more information on FEC, visit www.pgcfec.org and follow FEC on social media @pgcfec. 

About the Institute for Public Health Innovation:

IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  Our work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities for all.  IPHI is one of over 40 public health institutes across the country and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes.  For more information on IPHI, see www.institutephi.org, and follow IPHI on Facebook and Twitter @InstitutePHI.

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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.