January/February 2014

2020 Vision in 2014

New Executive Committee

Health HUB Report

Focusing on the Buffalo County 2020 Vision in 2014

The Buffalo County Community Partners board of directors held its annual retreat in January and discussed key elements of change in healthy community efforts, recognized staff achievements, and made coalition plans for 2014. Board members defined the following areas as key elements necessary to creating positive community change:

Influencing Policy and Legislation Example: city resolution for Responsible Beverage Server Training for retailers Changing Organizational Practices Example: building a patient-centered medical community Fostering Coalitions and Networks Example: new coalitions to address Alzheimers disease and build bridges out of poverty Educating Providers Example: Trauma Informed Care training for schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers Promoting Community Education Example, Parents Take A Stand resources on positivepressure.org Strengthening Individual Knowledge and Skills Example: Nebraska Youth Academy for Democracy and PhotoVoice

illustration depicts the ideal day in central Nebraska. ItMy is calming and welcoming . . . I picture myself on the park bench, open to others thoughts and ideas for change! - Executive Director Denise Zwiener
2014 and lead an organization to Keep Calm and Welcome Opportunities for positive change. I picture myself on the park bench, open to others thoughts and ideas for change! stated Executive Director Denise Zwiener. We are looking forward to sharing more inspirational board commitments in the coming months! Lisa Reese Parish, Board Chair 308-237-6840 lparish@uwka.org

Each board member reflected on contributions they made to Community Partners efforts in 2013 and shared how this organization has unleashed the potential for change. They also made a pledge for 2014 and illustrated their pledge to keep in their daily work space and remind them of the potential of partnerships and collaboration. My illustration depicts the ideal day in central Nebraska. It is calming and welcoming. I will embrace General Information 308-865-2284 info@bcchp.org

Buffalo County Community Partners Contact Information

Denise Zwiener, Executive Director 308-865-2280 dzwiener@bcchp.org

Visit bcchp.org/board for complete board member listing or bcchp.org/contact for complete staff listing and contact form.

The new year brings us closer to reaching the 2020 Vision, and were excited to announce the board chairs who will help lead us towards achieving that vision over the course of this year. I am honored to work with such an amazing group of professionals from across our community, said Executive Director Denise Zwiener. Their commitment to the leadership of Community Partners is indicative of the broad-based community involvement in partnerships that makes Buffalo County stand out. I am looking forward to working with our 2014 chair, Lisa Reese Parish, and am excited to see how our organizations will grow. The United Way was instrumental in the formation of Community Partners and was the employer of our staff for almost ten years until our filing as a 501(c)(3) in 2007. We have grown together, and 2014 will be a great year to build upon that foundation. Serving as 2014 vice chair is Jana Peterson. As a board member, and now vice chair elect, I am especially excited to see the progression of the Public Health System in Buffalo County, she said. We are currently in exciting times and have a lot of individuals of all ages who dedicate their time and volunteer to continue to make Buffalo County a better place to live for people of all ages. Nikki Gausman will continue serving as secretary/treasurer. The organization is leading efforts in so many important areas which affect our citizens and communities, she said. As a board member, coalition member, and donor, Im energized by the collaborative efforts and opportunities which are creating momentum towards a healthier Buffalo County. Past Chair Suzanne Brodine will continue to work with the board and executive committee this year. 2014 is going to be an exciting year for Community Partners, particularly as we continue to collaborate to develop a community health worker system in partnership with the healthcare organizations in Kearney and the area, she said. Internally, we are going to spend a lot of time working with our coalitions and strengthening our relationships within the community and with other agencies in our region. Visit bcchp.org/board to view our entire board of directors. Baldwin Filters Barney Building and Land Larry Brannagan Drs. Stephen & Laura Bush Central Nebraska Score/Robert Hobbs Dermatology, P.C. James Barth and Yvonne Deyle-Barth Dr. James Fish Theodore G. Baldwin Foundation Dr. Krista Fritson Geist Photography Gene and Kathy Gosch Holiday Inn

Meet Community Partners 2014 Executive Committee

Chair Lisa Reese Parish
Executive Director, United Way

Vice Chair Jana Peterson

Facility Administrator, Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center

Secretary/Treasurer Nikki Gausman

Executive Director, S.A.F. E . Center

Past Chair Suzanne Brodine

Assistant City Manager, City of Kearney

Thank You to Our December and January Donors:

Dr. David and Cathie Kingsley Ivan and Leann Klein Peter and Jane Kotsiopulos Dr. Dennis and Connie Larsen John and Sharon Martin Duncan and Janice McGregor Dr. Matt and Grace Mims Alan and Germaine Oldfather Scott and Lisa Phillips Randy Reese Dr. Charles and Vickie Schaepler Greg and Sanae Shea Leonard Skov

Tom and Michaelene Tye Denise Waibel-Rycek Jan Weber and Steve Buttress West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

If you would like to partner with us through a financial donation, you may: Contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or dzwiener@bcchp.org Donate on our website, bcchp.org, by clicking the blue Donate button.

Health HUB Sees Success Providing Pathways to Care for Diabetics

Health HUB has been working for two years to assist been able to obtain 633 prescriptions, for a total savings of uninsured, diabetic community members find pathways $302,554.07. to care. Currently serving 191 clients, it has documented Social Service Referral Pathway: helps clients positive outcomes in all five of its pathways, including a overcome social barriers such as limited access to food, significant decrease in housing, transportation, clients A1c test results and child care; cultural, This program is documenting a significant cost and savings of over $3.5 language, and literacy savings to Good Samaritan, but more importantly it million in total costs of barriers; and financial is providing a safety net for people who in some cases care for Good Samaritan instability. Nearly 45 dont have any other option than to visit the emergency Hospital. percent of Health HUB room for care. Health HUB is clients reported social funded by a Catholic needs barriers that - Carol Wahl, Good Samaritan Hospital Health Initiatives prevented them from Mission & Ministry receiving care. Health Grant through June 30, 2014, implemented by community HUB has helped 52 percent of those clients overcome health workers and nursing professionals at Sentinel their barriers. Health Care, and overseen by a program coordinator Diabetes Education Pathway: educates clients through Buffalo County Community Partners. and improves their ability to self-manage their diabetes. Safety Net Pathway: educates clients on the This has reduced the number of ER visits by Health HUB importance of having a primary care provider and clients and resulted in a 1.2 percent decrease in clients appropriate emergency room use. After being enrolled A1c levels on average. The A1c test is one of the primary in the program for over a year, 59 percent of clients tests to diagnose diabetes, check blood sugar levels, and have not been back to the emergency room for medical gauge the effectiveness of treatment and management. care, resulting in $3,529,475.66 in savings for Good Payment Source Pathway: helps clients secure Samaritan Hospital. In addition, Health HUB has stable forms of payment so they can continue to see their maintained a 4-to-1 cost ratio of pre-emergency room primary care provider, receive medication, and control costs to grant costs, better than their diabetes. By working with the national 3-to-1 cost ratio community health workers who recommendation. assisted clients in applying for Good Samaritan resources from the Center for Hospital welcomes the Medicare/Medicaid Services opportunity to partner with the (CMS), commercial payers, community to provide access to and other sources, 38 percent care for uninsured residents, said of Health HUB clients who Good Samaritan Hospitals Vice had medical debt were able to President of Patient Care Services continue seeing their primary care Carol Wahl. This program is provider. documenting a significant cost The Community Access savings to Good Samaritan, but Network (CAN) Team Health HUBs When to Use the more importantly it is providing a Emergency Room pamphlet explains is developing a plan for a safety net for people who in some when emergency care is required and when community clinic that addresses cases dont have any other option additional barriers to health to consult with your primary care provider. than to visit the emergency room care in our community, and will for care. use information from Heath Medication Access Pathway: educates clients on HUBs work in the planning process of the clinic. For the importance of taking medication regularly and assists more information on the work the CAN Team has done, them in obtaining medication. Working with the Sentinel what they still have to do, or to find out how you can get Health Cares Medication Access Program, 73 clients have involved, visit bcchp.org/canteam.

PO Box 1466 Kearney, NE 68848

od Samaritan o G to s k n a ce Special Th viding our offi o r p r fo l a it Hosp ting ser vices! space and prin

Coalition Connection
If youd like to help promote active living, healthy eating, and walking/ biking to school and work, contact Holden Armstrong at staff@bcchp.org. Our coalition is looking for a new leader. We want to thank Alexandra Dillon for her leadership over the years and wish her luck in her new work! Stay tuned for exciting news as we continue working towards a community clinic to eliminate health disparities in Buffalo County! Become a parish nurse today!

We are working to increase the use of telehealth services in the field of behavioral health to ensure every community member has access to care.

We strive to prevent youth substance abuse, provide resources to parents, and more. If you are interested in joining our coalition, contact Tana Nelsen at positivepressure@bcchp.org. New member recruitment is just around the corner! Board positions will be opening for students from Amherst, Elm Creek, Gibbon, Ravenna, and Shelton public schools, and Kearney High School.

We hope to announce a new grant that will help us move forward with the implementation of our violence prevention strategies in the near future.

Training in Intervention ProcedureS is a responsible beverage server training approved by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Contact positivepressure@bcchp.org to register. Upcoming Classes: 3/13, 6-10 p.m. - On-Premise Sales 3/23, 2-6 p.m. - On-Premise Sales

Check bcchp.org/tips for future classes.