Katie Churchill

Hello, cohort 10 of The Lay Counselor Academy!! We had a fabulous kick-off in Oakland last month with this amazing group! Many are from Oakland organizations, including our long-term collaborator (and the Stop The Hate leader in the Bay Area), Asian Health Services. We also had folks from Northern and Southern CA, New Mexico, Texas, and Minnesota! If the people you serve struggle to get needed behavioral health counseling services, there is a solution. Instead of referring to a months-long waitlist, consider having your already-awesome CHWs, SUD counselors, case managers, health navigators, and teachers' aides enhance their skills and confidence in mental health counseling through our rigorous, engaging, equity, and empathy-centered LCA course. If practicing mental health counseling looks like fun….it is because it is! Join us! The next LCA is scheduled for August 2024. For more information on this course, check out the link below in the comments ⬇️ #mentalhealth #counseling #counselingworks #empathy

36

3 Comments

Hospitals don't exist to make money; they exist to serve communities. The article below describes for-profit California hospitals shutting down their labor and delivery units due to low reimbursement, *even though* the hospitals are highly profitable overall. Yes, it's screwed up that American-style health insurance overpays for some services and underpays for others, so that hospitals have to cost-shift. On the other hand, hospitals that simply close the low-payment parts of their operations in order to extract higher profits for their investors are by definition failing in their community mandate, and do not deserve a license to operate. #ethicalhealthcare #hippocraticcapitalism #hospitals #healthsystems

40

30 Comments

A while back I re-shared an article about the FFS and PMPM rates that would be needed to cover the costs of operating a community health worker (CHW) program by the Waymark research team. This article by the California Health Care Foundation describes how California's CHW program was developed and what they went through, including barriers (like merits of certification, CHW reimbursement rates). It also paints more context on the growing role (and need) of the CHW— a trained specialist with lived experience who helps patients in underserved communities navigate the health system and connect to social supports. The article highlights the key component best: "For generations, CHW/P/Rs have filled critical gaps in California’s health landscape and acted as liaisons between marginalized communities and mainstream systems. As trusted community representatives, they share cultural and linguistic backgrounds with their clients, many of whom are immigrants, people of color, and people with low incomes. And they provide accessible information and support in ways that resonate with their surrounding community." It would be pretty hard to replicate this connection and bridge with centralized care coordinators, discharge planners, customer service reps, etc., let alone AI, imho. As more closed loop referral systems are being implemented across city, county, state HIEs, and, systems, health plans, Medicaid agencies, etc., the increased effort on supporting whole-person care gives rise to more opportunity—and hopefully more funding pathways—for this kind of relevant, community-based work. Really great read by Robin Buller.

13

California's Caregiver Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Miami & Beyond The recent CBS News story about Sacramento homecare workers demanding reform highlights a systemic issue with far-reaching consequences. Our new blog post explores: - How Florida's aging population mirrors the challenges faced in California. - The impact of the caregiving crisis on families, healthcare systems, and the workforce. - The importance of valuing and supporting caregivers for sustainable long-term care solutions. - Golden Companions' commitment to caregiver well-being within our model. Join the conversation on creating a future where caregiving is a respected, viable career path. Read the full blog post and share your thoughts: https://lnkd.in/eGY4CRij #caregiving #Miami #SouthFlorida #healthcare #eldercare #workforcedevelopment #longtermcare

7

I tried (and failed) at being concise… Today I am reflecting on the last 8 years since Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center opened its doors on 06/15/2016. Our journey began with a very small building and smaller team: 1 Therapist, 1 Counselor, 1 Case Manager, 1 Operations/BHT, & 1 PRN NP. We knew what we wanted to do and we knew what our goals were. Things started very slowly and took about 2-3 months to hit our 10th admit, our very small startup capital was slowly dwindling, and I sometimes fell victim of comparing our small/humble facility to some of our peers who had much nicer buildings, a full census, and impressive staff rosters with even more impressive resumes. Despite the obvious challenges of opening a self-funded business in a competitive field with very little startup capital we truly believed, at our core, we had the ability to impact change wit an irrational confidence that if we do the right thing for the right reasons it’ll work out. Slow & Steady. Mission Statement always comes first. Give a sh*t about every single person who walks through the door. Believe that Quality of Care wins in the long run. However, when your daily stressors include finding the cheapest printer ink refills because the money is almost gone - it’s easier said than done. By late 2017, we moved to a larger building, driven by the belief that if we built it, they would come—and they did. Shortly thereafter we took another chance and started treating Mental Health primary individuals in addition to Substance Abuse. This may seem like an obvious pivot today, but in 2018 there were hardly (if any) other viable options in the Scottsdale area doing this. Yet, we were determined to do what we believed in - despite often being met with skepticism and uncertainty. Today SPRC has treated thousands of clients to great success, multiple in-depth tracts running concurrently that treat a variety of disorders, expanded to add Residential treatment to our continuum, and have grown to a team of 40+ professionals. When we started off I used to tell myself, “If we can make it 5 years we’re a real business and I have succeeded.” As we enter our 9th year, my perspective is completely different and would take a short novel for me to fully explain all of the ways this experience is changed me and my life on every conceivable level. I'm beyond grateful to every staff member, client, and professional who's been part of SPRC's journey, and I eagerly anticipate the next 8 years.

145

31 Comments

Saving rural behavioral health services goes beyond Medicaid reimbursement. Funding is crucial, but a comprehensive approach is needed. This includes initiatives in recruitment, reimbursement, technology, and alternative treatment models. Sustainable change requires long-term commitment across all levels of government budget cycles. #BehavioralHealth #RuralHealthcare #Medicaid #HealthcareFunding

11

Elevating youth mental health in California with Soluna Meet Soluna: The comprehensive mental health app for Californians aged 13 to 25, offering free, confidential support — anytime, anywhere. Always there for youth: Young people's mental health needs don't clock out, so neither does Soluna. No matter life’s challenges, Soluna is always here to ensure no one faces them alone. How Soluna supports youth: Soluna is a personal space filled with a variety of free, reliable support options that meet youth needs: - 1:1 Coaching: Chat with trained professionals ready to guide and understand. - Self-help resources: Explore interactive tools designed for personal growth. - Active forums: Join a community that understands and supports each other. - And so much more: Soluna is constantly evolving, just like our youth. Mental wellbeing starts here: Soluna is more than just an app — it's a promise. A promise of no cost, no pressure, and always anonymous support. Why? Because every young Californian should feel empowered, no matter where they are on their mental health journey. Let Soluna join you on the path toward mental wellbeing. Download the app and sign up today — it's completely free! #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmonth #soluna

25

Listen to the latest episode and learn how innovation and compassion for a community is improving oral health in Oregon!

9

Thinking about adding a pet to your family? Check out @PermanenteMedicine pediatrician Kate Land, MD's advice on making this important family decision. From the joys and responsibilities of pet ownership to its impact on children's well-being, discover why a family pet can be more than a cuddly companion. #FamilyPets #ParentingTips #HealthyFamilies #PermanenteMedicine  Read more: https://lnkd.in/dS_wSm7t 

10

This week for #ThrowbackThursday and in honor of #PTSDAwarenessMonth, we highlight a past story, Empathy in Practice, which discusses working with patients coping with traumatic events, with a focus on Asian Health Services. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eehsUsgS

1

This isn’t a newly developed concept for me at all. It actually links back to something I started writing, planning, organizing, pitching and reshaping beginning 17 years ago when I was an Alcohol and Other Drug Community Organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve narrowed the scope with the same mission that created my consulting business: private investment in the public good. Since 2007, my work, life and family path has changed. You might be surprised to know that as I sat in my tiny in-law apartment with my expensive graduate school writing skills, mapping out the vision for what started on paper as Community Resource Centers of America, I was just over a year out of the worst time in my adult life to date. My next post will touch on this, so now it’s your turn: How do you envision your dream and find the balance in life to make it a reality?

1

I commend the American Nurses Association Enterprise, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and American Nurses Foundation initiatives highlighting the significant economic impact of nurses and APRNs across healthcare sectors. It is essential to recognize how nursing, in specialized fields like rheumatology, positively impacts patient care and contributes to our healthcare economy. #TheEconomicValueOfNursing #RheumatologyNursing #Rheumatology

4

"[T]he study revealed a significant shift toward wellness-focused communities, emphasizing a holistic approach to care and service delivery that prioritizes individuals’ well-being through more personalized and wellness-centered offerings." Great article on the future of senior living!

4

A better future for Communities. This requires collaboration, creativity, and determination in tackling the growing demand for care and bridging gaps in the healthcare system. We have come together with partner organizations and united our efforts to drive collective progress and integration among hospitals and community providers. Read more about how we are leading the way towards a stronger, more supportive future for all. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3XdZKBO

9