Author: David Hartley

Wood River Health Hosts Ribbon Cutting Celebration

HOPE VALLEY, RI (NOVEMBER 29, 2023) – Wood River Health hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House for its new building on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 5:00 PM at 823 Main Street, Hope Valley, RI. The event marked the official opening of an addition to the federally qualified health center’s existing facility and celebrated the people who made the expansion possible.

Event speakers included Senator Jack Reed, Representative Seth Magaziner, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, and General Treasurer James A. Diossa. Wood River Health’s President and CEO Alison L. Croke provided an update on the Capital Campaign. Board Chair Regan Pennypacker and Board Member Kalpesh Shah also spoke during the short event program. After the Ribbon Cutting, attendees were invited to tour the new building.

During her presentation, President and CEO Alison Croke shared that Wood River Health’s “Your Home for Health” Capital Campaign has raised over $4 million to date. She thanked the Capital Campaign Committee, Board Members, and donors for investing in this project. She acknowledged Partners in Philanthropy for their guidance on the campaign, Vision 3 Architects for designing the beautiful space, and A-Z Corporation for constructing the new building.

Senator Jack Reed stated, “We are here to celebrate opening this wonderful facility and a tremendous contribution to this community in terms of healthcare.” He thanked the legislators for supporting this project and particularly Congressman Jim Langevin for helping to secure the first million dollars for this initiative. He thanked the providers and staff for all they do every day and for making Wood River Health “a place that is not just a facility, it is a place of great expertise, comfort and confidence by the community.” He said, “This is a great state of the art addition to Wood River Health; it matches the quality and skill of all the workers here and it is wonderful because it embraces the community as well.”

Representative Seth Magaziner stated, “This expanded facility is going to be an absolute game changer. Just another step of adding to the range of services and the accessibility of high-quality care that Wood River Health has been known for, for quite some time.” He gave special recognition to Senator Jim Langevin, who was “especially proud that he was able to help with this expansion because this is an organization that has such a tremendous reputation for helping so many people”. Magaziner pledged his commitment to serve as an advocate and champion of Wood River Health, as Langevin has been for so many years.

Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos thanked the donors and legislators who made the expansion possible. She congratulated Wood River Health for expanding healthcare services in its community. She said, “The services you provide are so key and so needed in our neighborhoods. It is important for people to have access to the services right where they live, especially dental services and mental health.”

“Community health centers are near and dear to my heart,” stated General Treasurer James A. Diossa. “It makes it so much better for the patient to be able to go to one facility as a one stop shop for all their services. For the health care providers, it’s great because they get to know their patients well and interact with other professionals. But more importantly, it creates a real community around healthcare and that, more than ever, is the future of our country.”

Board Chair Regan Pennypacker, a patient of Wood River Health, thanked the Capital Campaign Committee Members, which included Susan Brough of Washington Trust (Chair and Former Board Member); Senator Dennis Algiere (Honorary Chair); Ruth Morgan (Vice Chair and Board Member). Other Wood River Health Board Members who served on the Committee included Daniel Fitzgerald and Frank Hopkins. Jennifer Brinton of Grey Sail Brewing Company and Ed Smith of Chariho Furniture served on the Committee. Wood River Health staff included President and CEO Alison L. Croke; Associate Medical Director Nadia Duvilaire, MD; and Director of Development and Communications Sarah Channing.

Pennypacker expressed her gratitude to the donors who invested over $10,000 in the campaign. Those who contribute at this level have the option to be acknowledged by donor recognition signs displayed throughout the new building or on a bench situated on the grounds.

“Donating to this new building project is not just about bricks and mortar,” stated Board Member Kalpesh Shah, a patient of Wood River Health and a Richmond resident for over 30 years. “It’s about a shared vision for a healthcare facility that goes beyond the conventional, one that embraces innovation and inclusivity. This campaign represents an opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery for this area.” “The vision of Wood River Health in this project aligns with my family’s belief in fostering a healthier community,” Shah continued. “This isn’t just a donation; it’s an investment in the future of healthcare accessibility and quality for all.”

The building addition enables Wood River Health to better serve its current patient base and increase community access to medical, dental, behavioral and social services. It expands its clinical space by 57%; increases dental patient visits by 1,200 per year, and expands behavioral health services access to individuals, families, and groups. It enables the nonprofit to offer physical therapy and specialist services, creates private spaces for practitioners and staff to conduct meetings, and provides nonprofits with free access to a Community Conference Room.

To date, Wood River Health’s Capital Campaign has been supported by over 60 donors, including 100% of Wood River Health’s Board of Directors and its Executive Leadership Team. Corporate and Foundation support has been received from The Champlin Foundation, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Fred M. Roddy Foundation, The Kimball Foundation, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, The Warren Alpert Foundation, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of RI and Optum, The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation, and Westerly Community Credit Union. Local service clubs that have supported the new building include the Rotary Club of Chariho, the Rotary Club of Westerly, and the Lions Club of Westerly.

In celebration of its donors, Wood River Health will host an Art Show and Donor Appreciation Reception in Spring 2024. The event will showcase the beautiful paintings donated by Art Connection Rhode Island, whose mission is to enrich and inspire underserved populations by providing community service organizations with access to original works of art created by local artists at no cost. A concrete sculpture that was generously donated by Richard Thoreau, a patient of Wood River Health, will be unveiled during the event. Attendees will be able to view the donor recognition signs and benches featuring the names of donors who have pledged at least $10,000 to the campaign.

During the reception, Wood River Health will unveil its Donor Tree, which will feature the names of individuals or groups that invested $1,000 or more to Phase I and Phase II of the Capital Campaign. Phase II of the Capital Campaign will expand Wood River Health’s dental operatories while increasing dental visits by 1,200 patient visits per year. Donations for Phase II are still being collected, and leaves will be added to the tree as pledges are fulfilled. For details about the Capital Campaign and photos of the new building, please visit woodriverhealth.org/support-us/capital-campaign.

About Wood River Health

Since 1976, Wood River Health has delivered medical, dental, and social services to southwestern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut communities. Its mission is to provide its patients with high-quality and affordable healthcare services through a compassionate, team-based approach. Its vision is for every member of its community to experience physical, emotional, and social well-being.

A private, non-profit Community Health Center, Wood River Health is devoted to providing quality patient care to over 8,600 patients. It is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Wood River Health receives funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

As of September 25, 2023, residential households in the U.S. can order one set of #4 free at-home tests from USPS.com again. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

•             Limit of one order per residential address

•             One order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (COVIDTests.gov has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates)

•             Orders will ship free starting the week of October 2, 2023

https://www.covid.gov/tests

HBHM embarks on 3-year strategic plan to repair broken behavioral health system

“Long before COVID-19 hit, mental health services and supports have been inadequate in Washington County,” HBHM Director Susan Orban points out. “Our children, friends, and neighbors continue to flood local emergency rooms in crisis, in increasing numbers.”

In response, Orban says, HBHM spent the past two years developing a new 3-year action plan to address the crisis.

“Most important, we prioritized the voices of consumers and their family members in developing strategies and solutions. It was a data-driven process, but driven by the wisdom of people who have lived through the experiences of mental health challenges.”

You can access the main report and supporting documents here:

Talking with Your Child About COVID 19

Children are incredible observers of the world around them.  Just because they do not talk about their concerns, do not assume that they are not bothered by the rapidly changing world around them.  There is much that we as parents/caregivers can do to support them during these uncertain times of COVID 19.

  1. Create a safe and loving environment for your children

Minimize social media and television viewing to prevent children from getting saturated with fearful messages. Be cognizant of your conversations with other adults about the pandemic in the presence of your children. You do not want to give them extra reasons to worry.  Be especially patient and understanding with your children.  They may not know how to process their fears and anxieties about what is happening and their behavior may be affected.  Find ways to have fun and convey your love every day. Help children communicate with their friends and other family members so they feel less isolated and maintain outside connections and healthy relationships with others.

  • Be available for conversation

Be open to discussions about COVID 19 with your children.  While you do not need to have answers to all their questions, it is important that you be an “askable” parent. Children need to know they can talk to you 24/7 about anything, including COVID 19.   Start where they are.  In a calm and reassuring way, listen to and address their concerns if you can.  If you do not know the answer, tell them so.  Acknowledge their fears. Be honest and accurate, but not alarmist. Point out what is being done to keep people safe.  Children need to know that efforts are being taken to address this health crisis and you are doing all you can to protect them within your home.  Gauge information to your child’s age and development. As a rule, young children need brief, simple information that reassures them. Don’t provide more detail than is needed.  Be sure to check in with children at the end of each conversation to see if you addressed all of their concerns.

  • Allow your children to take control of things they can

In the wake of uncertainty and a lack of control, give your children opportunities to be in charge and make decisions, i.e. what game you will play, what kind of cookies or craft you will make, etc.  Encourage your children in thoughtful problem solving about ways they can help in this crisis, both in keeping your family safe as well as how to support other community members.  Review and model hand washing, coughing into elbows, safe distancing in public, etc.   Give children responsibility for making signs or reminding you to walk 6 feet apart for example.  

  • Address your own mental health needs first

There is a good reason why we are instructed on airplanes to put on our own air masks before those of our children in the event of an emergency.  We can’t tend to the needs of others, if we are not well ourselves.  Children need safety and stability in these turbulent times.  They need to lean on strong adults.  If your own worries and concerns are consuming you, reach out to get the support you need for yourself. Do what you need to do to care for yourself.  Do not take on challenging conversations about COVID 19 with your children if you are not up to the task.  Solicit the help of another caring adult your children trust to provide the emotional support they require. 

For more tips about parenting in the wake of COVID 19, check out these resources:

Child Mind Institute

National Association of School Psychologists

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Sesame Street

Zero to Three

Quiet time with (for) grandparents

Recharging needn’t be boring or separate

Let’s face it: grandkids of almost any age seem to have limitless energy, compared to their grandparents (not to seem ageist). They keep us on the move.

Sometimes we need them to slow down a bit. And, the truth is, so do they. The smart folks at Sesame Street suggest some non-boring, engaging ways to encourage and enjoy calm moments:

  • Let your grandchild pick out a book and find a comfortable spot to snuggle together. Encourage your grandchild to read (or “read” the pictures) to you. You might also ask your grandchild to tell a favorite story. With a little luck, story time might lead to a little nap, too!
  • Puzzles or board games are always fun. Recharge with a healthy snack or drink.
  • Coloring or drawing together, some creative, quiet moments.
  • If you’re tired, invite your grandchild to play nearby. Explain that you’re going to take a short coffee break and that when the cup is empty, it will be “together playtime” again.
  • Quiet time outdoors? It’s possible! Try blowing bubbles for your grandchild to pop, or give him some outdoor chalk.

Quiet time may not always last long, but even a few moments of down time can help you both recharge for the day’s next adventure.

7 ways to communicate with your caregiver

Sesame Street offers insight about the parent-caregiver relationship

Sesame Street may be one of your child’s favorite caregivers, but they are hardly the flesh and blood person who takes care of your loved one when you aren’t available. Whether a relative like a sister or grandparent, Sesame Street points out, parent and caretaker are a childcare “team” that works best with great communication.

Sesame Street offers 7 tips to make these conversations easier. Here are the abbreviated versions. Visit the Sesame Street site for the entire post (and other wonderful advice).

  1. Little ones listen. Choose a time and place where you can talk alone, away from a child’s ears.
  2. Be aware of your feelings. Have difficult conversations when you’re calm.
  3. Share the positive. Don’t just have negative conversations; share regularly when things are going well.
  4. Take your time. Leave enough time to talk.
  5. Create a judgment-free zone. Accept that parents and caregivers may have different approaches that are equally valid.
  6. Use examples. Don’t make broad complaints; be specific.
  7. Brainstorm solutions. Work together for solutions; don’t just inflict your own.

Surprising reasons why some kids don’t exercise

Too much stress, an introverted personality, just doesn’t like sports

We might think kids who don’t get out and play or exercise are just lazy or are too caught up in their TVs, phones, or electronics.

But, says Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, there can be other, more compelling reasons for some kids. Like stress, fear of embarrassment, and personality type.

Stressed-out children often feel tired and withdrawn, says Kathleen Hill, licensed therapist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. “We’re seeing a definite increase in kids dealing with chronic stress, anxiety and depression,” she says. “As adults we know those things affect our mood and our decisions to have fun and be active and playful.”

She continues, noting that certain personality types tend to be less active. Children who are shy and introverted often don’t feel comfortable running outside to play with the neighborhood kids, for example. A child who has been bullied will feel even less comfortable.

And of course, some kids simply aren’t into sports or outdoor play.

The good news? Here are some creative ways you can help.

  • Choose your child’s favorite book and do a themed scavenger hunt. A Harry Potter lover might hunt for an owl or a broom on someone’s porch.
  • Take the dog for a walk. If you don’t have a dog, consider volunteering to walk dogs at a local Humane Society.
  • Get creative with sidewalk chalk.
  • Cue up your favorite music and dance.
  • Talk to your child about ways s/he may enjoy being active; save the list when s/he needs ideas.

Visit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the whole story, and lots of other resources.

5 rules for having difficult conversations with young children

It’s important to know the deeper answers they need

Your kids, or children with whom you’re close, can stop you in your tracks with questions you didn’t expect, NPR (National Public Radio) warns you.

Like:

I know she died, but when is Grandma coming back?

Why is your skin darker than Mommy’s?

Why do we live here but Daddy doesn’t?

Are you the tooth fairy?

You make a mistake thinking you can just blithely answer the questions. There are thoughtful, meaningful, and satisfying (to them) ways and, well, there aren’t.

NPR offers five strategies and lots of resources. In short (visit the entire story on its website), they are:

1. When you get a tough question, listen for what the child is really asking.

Don’t rush to answer. Pause and ask for clarification. This does a few things. First, it buys you time to choose your words carefully. It also stops you from answering the wrong question.

2. Give them facts, but at a pace they can manage.

Whether you’re breaking news about the death of a loved one, a job loss or a serious illness, it’s important to understand that children process information a bit at a time. That means you should be prepared to revisit the topic, perhaps many times.

A hospice worker who specialized in talking with children about death gave Truglio this advice: Children take in information the same way they eat an apple. Instead of crunching through the whole fruit in one sitting, they nibble, take breaks, then circle back.

3. “That’s a great question. Let’s find out more together.”

This is a good response to have up your sleeve for complex issues: science, history, race, gender, politics, scary incidents in the news or any time a question catches you off guard.

“We can say, ‘Let’s explore this together, because that question is really a big one,’ ” says Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president for U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop. ” ‘Let’s go to the library and let’s look at some books. Let’s search for maybe some films or movies or get recommendations from our teachers or librarians.’ Because not everything has to be in the moment.”

This approach gets you off the hook — so you don’t feel like you’re making something up that you might regret later. “We often feel that, as parents, we always have to have the answer in the moment,” says Betancourt. “And the thing is, we don’t. And that’s OK. We’re still good parents.”

4. Reassure them that they are safe and loved.

Often when kids grapple with a scary or uncertain subject, their questions will have one fundamental motivation: What’s going to happen to me? Will I be safe? Will I be taken care of? Those are the questions you need to answer, even if they aren’t being asked explicitly.

5. Take care of yourself, and don’t be afraid to share your emotions.

We adults need to have our own support system — and time — when we deal with hard things. “Without taking care of ourselves, it’s very difficult to help our children,” says Betancourt.

But that doesn’t mean we grown-ups have to “wall ourselves off in our grief” or other feelings, Truglio says. Her mother died several years ago, and she says she still experiences moments of grief. Recently, she says, she cried in front of her son and didn’t hesitate to explain, “I’m sad because I miss Grandma.”

“BlueAngel” grants $35,000 to extend HBHM’s 5-2-1-0 anti-obesity effort

Among $218,000 in prestigious Blue Cross & Blue Shield community grants made this year

In its recent round of prestigious  BlueAngel Community Health Grants (BACHG), Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) granted $35,000 to Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds to continue our 5-2-1-0 Childhood Obesity Prevention efforts.

“Thanks to BlueAngel support,” we should reach more than 6,000 children attending 16 early care and education sites and 21 elementary schools across South County,” notes Susan Orban, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Director.

Cindy Buxton, the project’s coordinator, “5-2-1-0 is a simple equation for a healthy lifestyle that helps children reach and keep an appropriate weight. 5-2-1-0 stands for enjoying each day with:

  • 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
  • 2 hours or fewer of recreational screen time (TV, computer, video games or smartphones)
  • 1 hour of physical activity, and
  • 0 sugary drinks.”

The grant to HBHM was among $218,000 in BACHG funding for 2019. Since the BlueAngel Community Health Grants began in 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $3.8 million to local nonprofits. For the past five years, BACHG funding has focused on Rhode Island organizations promoting good nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight for children and their families.