HealthCare Access Maryland’s Post

At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to transforming lives and creating a more inclusive society. Recently in an interview, our trustee, Marianne, shed light on the crucial work done by the team at The Wilf Ward Family Trust. Marianne spoke about how every day, we encounter individuals on unique journeys, some of these individuals are navigating their way from the NHS to the intricacies of family life. Amidst these diverse needs, our purpose shines bright - we understand and address those individual needs, bridging gaps in the social care system that might otherwise be overlooked. Our impact reaches far beyond traditional channels - it's not just the responsibility of the NHS, local authorities, or families alone. We stand in the unique position to support vulnerable individuals in society in a truly special and meaningful way. Within the fabric of our local community, we weave a tapestry of hope and compassion. Central government policies and systemic challenges may persist, but we remain steadfast in making a difference where it matters the most - right here, right now. As we fill that gap, we do so with unwavering determination. The Wilf Ward Family Trust is a beacon of possibility, striving to change lives in ways that no other organisation can replicate. Join us in this transformative journey, where each action sparks hope and each hand extended makes a world of difference. Together, we rise, and together, we create a future of care and inclusivity for all. If you are interested in joining us and making a difference, click here to view our latest vacancies: https://buff.ly/3JHte3f #WilfWardFamilyTrust #ChangingLives #InclusivityMatters #TransformingCommunities #BridgingGaps #TogetherWeRise #CreatingChange #ImpactfulWork #BeTheDifference

Thanks for elevating equity across systems, especially in healthcare!

In the February 2024 Housing & Health issue of Health Affairs, Kierra Barnett of Nationwide’s Children’s Hospital and her team of coauthors document the history of structural racism in Linden, a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. Linden is a neighborhood characterized by high rates of unemployment, crime, and disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The authors contextualize these disparities through an exploration of 100 years of discriminatory state and local policies, particularly those related to housing, that have shaped health in Linden, Ohio. These policies include racial deed restrictions, redlining, blockbusting, mass incarceration, and the subprime lending crisis. Barnett and coauthors advocate for structural racism- and discrimination-informed strategic community development initiatives to promote lasting change in Linden. View an interactive timeline and read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q02m886k0

Let me be clear: I'm not making a political statement here. I found this article to be a great teaching moment about the importance of #appearances and #authenticity. This article in the Chicago Sun-Times discusses how the city of Chicago is moving people out of a "visible" homeless camp in preparation for the upcoming DNC meeting in August. Some of the residents have been there for at least 2 years. Gee, all of a sudden, the city is concerned for their welfare? Coincidence? I think not. My point is that people can sniff out self-serving claptrap a mile away. I would find it hard to believe that anybody believes one word of what these politicians, and their spokespeople, are using as their "reasons" for the sudden relocation. My fellow #dentists, this is a valuable learning opportunity. Be ethical, transparent, and honest in all your dealings with others. If you want your team and patients to respect and trust you, "do what you ought to do, when you ought to do it, whether you want to or not, with no debate"...or excuses! (I learned that from Walter Hailey, Steven J. Anderson, and Suzanne Black YEARS ago.) In other words, walk your talk. Get Ahead Coaching & Consulting #walkyourwalk #walkyourtalk #transparency #ethics #beethical #dotherightthing #bsmeter #charactercounts #character #leadership #leaders #trustworthy #respect #learningopportunity #honesty #trust #dentalpractice #dentalpracticeowner #womanceo #womenownedbusiness #dentalleader #dentalleaders #character

"National Community Health Worker Awareness Week (NCHWAW) is the first-ever national campaign to celebrate the valuable, unique, capable CHW workforce! This week of collaboration and action unites CHWs across diverse identities and serves to increase decision-makers understanding of how center equity and CHW voices in real community partnerships." Check out this toolkit for resources to make an impact before, during, and beyond NCHWAW: https://lnkd.in/eHJZQPf4

Thank you GA Watch. Storytelling is a HUGE component of the communities in which we live and serve. It is the ability to see through the eyes of others and tell the stories that create emotions and promote and initiate change. #CHW#GACHW#IAmACHW#RCHWN#NACHW#SECHW#everydaychw#CommunityVoices

Our vision is empowered people, connected communities; limitless opportunities. In developing our vision statement, we consulted with parents and representatives from each arm of our service. Imagining we could not fail, we asked ourselves, what impact do we want to create for the families and children we serve? We strive to break barriers to participation, accessibility, and inclusion by empowering the individuals integral to a child’s or adolescent’s life through building capacity, education, advocacy and awareness. Our goal is not to burden our clients with the need to change, instead embracing their differences and focusing our efforts on influencing our local community to be more inclusive. We work to ensure that families feel a deep sense of connection to their community, whether at school, the local cafe, or through the support networks we help build among parents on similar journeys. And by doing all of this, we hope to create limitless opportunities for the children, adolescents and families we serve. We assume competency and set ambitious goals with our clients, aiming to exceed the limitations imposed in the past. Through our efforts, we envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and participate fully in their community. #emble #empoweringability #visionstatement

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the VisitAble Advocate certification process by two more Virginia Beach Department of Public Health community partners! We are so excited to share the achievements and inclusion efforts made by these organizations in Virginia Beach! Today, we spotlight YWCA South Hampton Roads and A Chance for Change LLC. Both organizations are committed to providing assistance to often overlooked and underserved populations. We are so amazed by their continued efforts to help everyone in the community and they have surpassed all of our expectations during this process. It was an absolute privilege to work with them, and we are thrilled by the steps they have taken to show their support and earn their Advocate certificate. If you want to learn more about these organizations and how they impact their community, click the links below: https://www.ywca-shr.org/ & https://lnkd.in/eZpmtJ4M Image Description: Orange, light orange, white, and teal abstract background. Two images stacked on top of each other, slightly angled are shown on the right side of the graphic. The stacked images include logos of community partners, YWCA (top), and A Chance for Change LLC (bottom). VisitAble’s Advocate certification seal and Virginia Beach Department of Public Health’s logo are in the top left corner. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #Certification #AdvocateCertification #VirginiaBeachDepartmentOfPublicHealth #VirginiaBeach #YWCA #EliminatingRacism #EmpoweringWomen #SouthHamptonRoads #AChanceForChange #HealthCare

Deserving trust is crucial to equitably partner with the communities you engage and to achieve health justice. Remember, though, the process of engagement is as important as the product. This #TipTuesday, check out AAMC Center for Health Justice and their Principles of Trustworthiness. 1️⃣ The community is already educated; that’s why it doesn’t trust you. 2️⃣ You are not the only experts. 3️⃣ Without action, your organizational pledge is only performance. 4️⃣ An office of community engagement is insufficient. 5️⃣ It doesn’t start or end with a community advisory board. 6️⃣ Diversity is more than skin deep. 7️⃣ There’s more than one gay bar, one “Black church,” and one bodega in your community. 8️⃣ Show your work. 9️⃣ If you’re gonna do it, take your time, do it right. 🔟 The project may be over, but the work is not. Learn more about the 10 principles that community stakeholders endorse as the guiding compass on your journey to establishing trustworthiness: https://ow.ly/L0Cx50POKE3

🌟 Exciting Insights from “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” 🌟 I recently watched the heartwarming film “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” and found it to be a treasure trove of lessons in policy and advocacy. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Empowerment: This film reminds me of the importance of empowering individuals to chase their dreams at any age. How can we incorporate lifelong learning and self-improvement into our policy initiatives? 2. Strengthening Our Networks: The story underlines the value of strong social networks. How can we reinforce community ties and provide support systems to bolster citizens in their pursuit of dreams? 3. Community Engagement in Policy Development: It’s clear that involving the community in policy development can lead to more effective and inclusive solutions. How can we actively engage citizens in shaping policies that impact their lives? 4. Economic Inclusivity: The film beautifully bridges socioeconomic divides. How can we implement policies that promote inclusivity and ensure that everyone has a safety net to fall back on in times of need? What other policy lessons do you think we can glean from this film, and how can we apply them to enhance this place we call home? Photo of the wonderful Kate Nicholl who launched a plan to sort out our childcare crisis go check it out! #PolicyAdvocacy #CommunityEngagement #Inclusivity #DreamPursuit