Purpose Summer 2023

Summer 2023

CCI’s 2022 Community Health Impact Report is now available!

Our annual report takes readers on a journey through our historic 50th year offering health services to our neighbors of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Highlights include:

64,883 Patients and participants served 88.6% Breastfeeding initiation rate

2,000+ Refugee health assessments completed

1.3 million Views of our online health resources

Our achievements are not just ours—they’re yours as well. We invite you to read our Impact Report to see the difference your support makes in the community. Scan the QR code to give it a read today!

Dear Friends,

Reading this edition of Purpose following CCI's newly published 2022 Community Health Impact Report (inside cover) left me thinking about courage. In fact, I believe that any discussion about our patients and participants will inevitably lead to a reflection on courage. I'll tell you why.

First, let's consider how most of us use the term "courage." It's often reserved for impressive acts of heroism or stands taken by the transformative figures we admire today. But there's a subtler side to courage, as well. It's not as pronounced, though you always recognize it when you see it.

It's an everyday courage. It's the willingness to fulfill our daily responsibilities as we navigate the worries occupying our minds. It's persevering and tapping into our strength amid hard times. And above all, it's the determination to overcome the barriers that hold us back from attaining our goals.

Our patients and participants demonstrate courage each time they take action on their health. Considering the challenges and competing priorities in their lives, their dedication to wellness is a gesture that makes a big statement to equity advocates like you and me. I'm immensely proud that CCI is the partner that helps them live audaciously.

The following pages detail our efforts to raise awareness of the Medicaid renewal process (p. 8), prepare children for the upcoming school year (p. 4), and educate parents on guiding the teens in their lives to respond with resilience in the face of distressing news (p. 6). As you complete your own readthrough, I hope you will remember how consequential these deceptively simple acts can be on a neighbor’s self-esteem and destiny.

The courage that sustains our patients and participants traces back to allies like you. Your reassurance by way of your support motivates them to strive for excellence. Your role is just as important as ours in realizing our vision of a healthy and empowered community for generations to come. And make no mistake: the momentum is on our side. We’re on the cusp of generational change.

All it takes is a little courage.

Sincerely,

Sonya Bruton, Psy.D., MPA CEO & President CCI Health Services

Building a Healthy School Year

Studies have shown that academic performance and quality health care go hand in hand. When children get routine health care, immunizations, check-ups, eye exams, dental exams, and mental health services, they are more prepared to fully participate in school and after-school activities like clubs and sports. They also miss fewer classes.

But quality health care doesn’t just benefit students. Fewer missed days of school due to illness also means fewer missed days of work for parents. Luckily, CCI is here to help. Here’s how we’re helping families build a healthy school year:

1GETTING COVERED

Having health coverage is critical for children to thrive at school and in life. Medicaid and CHIP cover emergency doctor and hospital visits, prescriptions, and immunizations for children and teens. Other benefits include check-ups and regular doctor visits, dental visits, mental and behavioral health services, eye exams, and other care children and teens may need. With a team of two ACA Navigators, CCI is ensuring children and families get the support they need to apply for and keep their Medicaid and CHIP coverage. Read more about our efforts on page 10.

2

STAYING UP TO DATE ON IMMUNIZATIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children missed routine well-child care and related immunizations. It is important that children and teens stay up to date on their immunizations to protect themselves and their communities from preventable diseases and severe illness. To help protect children and the community, CCI has partnered with the Aetna Better Health of Maryland Health Education program to bring workshops directly to our patients. Our first workshop will be on the importance of well-child visits and immunizations in August. Stay tuned for more! 3

FEEDING FAMILIES

CCI believes in whole-person, patient-centered care. That’s why nutrition is an important aspect of what we do. We help families make healthy food decisions with the support of our dietitians, increase access to nutritious food and education for women and their babies through our WIC services, and we’ll soon provide on-site cooking skills at our teaching kitchen at our newly expanded Silver Spring location. Thanks to a generous donation from UnitedHealthcare, our teaching kitchen is one step closer to helping parents and caregivers get the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthier lifestyles.

Routine vaccines to stay up to date on immunizations

Vision exams for sharper eyes

Nutritional advice to build healthy eating habits

Primary care visits and check-ups

Dental care for happy smiles

Coping with the Stress of Recent News and Social Media

by Tashia Weeks, Behavioral Health Consultant

If the news stresses you out, you’re not alone. A recent report by the American Psychological Association (APA) showed that 73% of U.S. Americans feel overwhelmed by the number of global crises often covered in the media. The APA’s finding joins growing evidence that links distressing news and media overconsumption to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

While delving deeper into the connection between news and mental health, I was surprised to learn that more than half of U.S. adults get their news via social media. That’s cause for concern, given the amount of sensationalized content on our feeds and algorithms that leave us wanting more. And when the average adult spends over two hours daily on their accounts, it’s never been harder to break away from what’s happening today.

Teens, especially, are in a precarious spot. Social media is more than a hobby for Gen Z; it’s a fundamental part of their lives. It shapes their relationships, worldviews, and identities. They’re even choosing TikTok over Google in their everyday searches. Parents and parental figures can do what they can to reduce exposure to harmful stories, though some content will always make its way through.

Worrying about how media affects the mental health of teens is understandable. But amid headlines of violence, injustice, and economic uncertainty, there are ways families can help teens process current events in a health-affirming way.

ENGAGE IN OPEN DIALOGUE

The topics that dominate our news cycle are complex. Teens may find themselves with questions about what they see and struggle to figure out how they should feel. Parents and parental figures can add context and offer support in a non-judgmental, trusting manner.

One idea is to invite the teen in your life to join you in watching the evening news. Afterward, have a discussion with them on what you’ve just seen to help them register the information. The right guidance will give teens the confidence to navigate the information and reach their own conclusions. Also, be sure to encourage them to access only reputable media outlets and challenge them to question anything that may seem deceptive.

We can also collaborate with teens to reframe harmful perspectives. For example, if we overhear them express hopelessness in response to a breaking news story, we can remind them of a time when our community overcame a similar challenge in the past. Another take can lead to a more balanced viewpoint.

BUILD UP THEIR OPTIMISM WITH RESPECT

Optimism can be a powerful defense when we face upsetting events. Research suggests that optimistic people also tend to be more resilient. We can help teens cultivate a sense of optimism by asking them to spend time each day reflecting on what makes them grateful. Practicing gratitude reflection from a young age will lead to benefits that reverberate throughout life (though it’s never too late for anyone to get into the habit!)

Of course, positive thinking isn’t always the solution. In fact, pressuring teens to resist how they feel may cause confusion, shame, or guilt. As a parent or parental figure, the most important message we can send to teens is one of validation. Then, when the time is right, we can drop a thought that provides a little more clarity and a lot more assurance.

MODERATE AND RECUPERATE

What do teens tend to do when they have time to themselves? Reach for their phones and open their favorite apps. We see it all the time, and it can lead to bigger problems; impulsive and aimless scrolling can worsen mental health.

Shame and blame won’t help. A much healthier option is subtly encouraging teens to take time away from their screens. Invite them to join you for an activity that you enjoy together. Brainstorm and recommend a new hobby that meets their interests. Remind them of an activity they love to do when they’re not on their phones. Also, consider disconnecting yourself for a little while to set a good example (you’ll also benefit from the time away!)

Remember, the goal isn’t to inhibit access to the news but to guide teens to think about it in a way that doesn’t compromise their mental wellness or hope for a better future. As I tell my clients, “it’s not what happens to you, but how you respond.” Parents and parental figures who are willing to work alongside their teens to adopt that very same perspective will inspire an informed and empowered soon-to-be young adult.

Thi Nguyen Digital Marketing Specialist

Connecting with Intention and Purpose

Ever since I was hired to direct CCI’s social media strategy in 2021, I’ve made it my mission to make our accounts a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Anyone who comes across a CCI post or checks out a story of ours can expect the following:

Simple English captions to accommodate visitors with low literacy levels or who speak English as a second language.

Content warnings for the times we need to talk about a public health topic that could retraumatize.

Language free from violent connotations.

Campaigns that celebrate identity.

When it comes to planning information campaigns or publicizing the latest news in public health, presentation is everything. Health information can and should be sensitive, accessible, and, above all, empowering. CCI is proud to educate in a way that encourages understanding.

Ensuring Medicaid Health Coverage for CCI Patients

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law, providing enhanced federal funding for public programs such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A key provision of the Families First Act included a requirement for all Medicaid/CHIP programs to keep children and families continuously enrolled through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). This provision provided major relief for families seeking care as they didn’t have to worry about the annual Medicaid renewal process and risk losing their health coverage at a time when so many people needed it the most.

According to KFF, it is estimated that enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP grew from 23.3 million to nearly 95 million in the three years that the public health emergency was active. However, now that the PHE has ended, states are returning to the annual renewal process and have 12 months to check if all Medicaid enrollees are still eligible for the program, a drastic procedural undertaking for Medicaid agencies.

In some states like Maryland, the Medicaid agency never stopped conducting the annual renewal process and encouraged enrollees to update their contact and income information each year. Yet due to confusing public messaging, many enrollees didn’t know the continuous coverage provision existed or didn’t receive mail pertaining to their coverage because their address has since changed.

According to the Maryland Department of Health’s consumer research discussions, nearly 50% of the participants indicated a change in address over the past three years and none of the participants were aware of how important the next renewal period is and that it may put them at risk of losing their health coverage.

This puts many health care organizations, like CCI, in a challenging position. As of June 2023, over seven thousand of our patients must complete the renewal process to keep their Medicaid coverage. Financially, a loss of coverage for a patient means a loss of their Medicaid reimbursement payment and this could have a large impact on our operating budget. However, as a community health center, we know how important it is for our patients to have access to the care they need and have taken several steps to ensure they keep their health coverage.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

In February 2023, we partnered with CRISP, the statedesignated health information exchange (HIE) of Maryland, to be part of a pilot program that provided a select group of Federally Qualified Health Centers a preview of how many patients would be up for renewal of their Medicaid coverage. The program allowed us to have access to timely and accurate patient information, so our care teams can perform outreach and navigate patients through the renewal process.

TARGETED MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

In conjunction with Maryland’s official statewide Medicaid Check-In Campaign, we launched our own “Get Ready to Renew Your Medicaid Coverage” campaign to generate awareness of the upcoming renewal process and encourage our patients to update their contact information with their insurance agency to ensure they receive all communication related to their health coverage. This campaign included animated videos in English and Spanish that were shown in our waiting rooms, a detailed blog on our website, and PSAs that aired on our local radio station.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

On April 15, we partnered with four Maryland managed care organizations and the state’s insurance administration to host a Medicaid Health Fair to inform community members about the Medicaid renewal process. At the Fair, families could talk to any one of the insurance agencies about how to update their contact information or schedule an appointment with one of our ACA navigators for one-on-one assistance. Since then, we continue to alert the community about the renewal process through our marketing materials shared at events.

A Special Story

Back in April, we had a 20-year-old patient without insurance that came into a CCI health center for the first time. She previously had a kidney transplant and needed to get a catheter removed. At the time, I was the Referral Specialist at our Greenway location, as my role as an ACA Navigator had not started yet.

As her Referral Specialist, I started to look for resources through other organizations, but their wait times were too long. The patient mentioned that her mom was already paying out of pocket for her to see a nephrologist. As I sat with them, I asked a couple of questions to find out if she could be eligible for any assistance getting health insurance, and to my surprise, she said she had entered the country through the refugee program a couple of years ago. This made her eligible for Medicaid.

I then proceeded to guide her through the application process with Maryland Health Connection, where she was approved for Medicaid. The patient and her mother were very grateful for my help.

This is a very special story for me because I was able to help this young girl who at a very young age had already been through a kidney transplant and was struggling to get the care that she needed due to financial matters.

Yesmi Lopez Greenway ACA Navigator

A Focus on MEN’S HEALTH

Each year in June for Men’s Health Month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) encourages boys and men to take charge of their overall health by incorporating better lifestyle habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 13.2% of men aged 18 and over are in fair or poor health. While this number may seem low, when you dive deeper into the statistics, some of the same diseases and conditions that impact women also severely impact men and can even put them at higher risk. For example, hypertension (the condition of having high blood pressure) affects both men and women.

However, men are at higher risk for it to be more uncontrolled and have more elevated numbers. From 2015-18, 50.7% of men had hypertension, a condition that can lead to more serious health issues if not addressed. Additionally, people who were assigned male at birth and identify as gay or bisexual may face different health issues such as HIV and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).

TOP HEALTH RISKS FOR MEN

HEART DISEASE

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. It is known as a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. Drinking too much alcohol, lack of physical activity, and a diet high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

CANCER

While many forms of cancer affect men, prostate cancer is the most common. Many men who develop this form of cancer never experience symptoms. This is why getting screened and early detection is key.

DIABETES

About 52.3 million adult males have prediabetes in the U.S. and more men than women have diabetes that is undiagnosed. While diabetes increases a person’s risk of heart disease, it can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Dr. David Holder

CCI’s Gaithersburg Medical Director

ASK A CCI CLINICIAN

HOW CAN WE BETTER SUPPORT MEN’S HEALTH?

As a community, we should put an emphasis on male health issues such as vitality, the importance of exercise, and the priming of memory and cognition. These concepts can be communicated through subtle shifts in language and an organization's marketing efforts. We must show that we care about men throughout their lifespans and emphasize issues important to them as they grow and mature.

WHAT 3 THINGS CAN MEN DO RIGHT NOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH?

1. See health as a means to maintain your ability.

2. Take the initiative to care for oneself.

3. Visit your primary care provider early on . . . Don’t wait!

CCI in the Community

As a community health center, CCI is always looking for opportunities to provide health information and services directly to our neighbors, whether that’s at a local school or small business. We know how important it is to meet people where they are and where they frequent the most. Check out where we’ve been lately!

PGC Health Connect Summer Expo (Landover)

Empowering Our Girls Panel Discussion (Germantown)

Vision Zero Safety Fair (Montgomery Village)

CentroNía Family Day Health Fair (Takoma Park)

Beltsville Academy Health Fair (Beltsville)

National HIV Testing Day (Cheverly)

Montgomery County's annual Pride in the Plaza is a day-long celebration of diverse LGBTQIA+ communities. Partners and community organizations line the side street and open spaces around Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring, a short walking distance from CCI’s Silver Spring location, for a day filled with fun and festivities. This year’s event marked CCI’s third year participating. With a front and center table location, we had fans to combat the summer heat, “Choose Love” t-shirts on display and for sale, and plenty of goodies and information to share about our services.

Employee Profile

ANDREA HARRIS, ESQ.

Andrea Harris, Esq. has been CCI’s associate general counsel for more than two years. In her role, she fulfills compliance initiatives, risk management oversight and analysis, and aids in all legal needs. She helps keep CCI aligned with the legal requirements and standards necessary to maintain our status as an FQHC, which allows us to serve our community better and more fully.

My favorite thing about CCI is its commitment to service of its community for the benefit of all residents.

Like many other employees at CCI, Andrea’s passion for service extends beyond our offices. She often volunteers with many community service initiatives, including clothing and food drives.

She also serves as a Deacon at her church, as well as a youth ministry leader, and young adult ministry leader.

When Andrea is not serving at CCI or in her community, she can be found adventuring around the world with her husband and beloved cocker spaniel.

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Have a passion for public health and service? Explore our career opportunities at cciweb.org/careers.

SHOW YOUR CCI PRIDE

T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags . . . you want them? We got them!

CCI’s merch store features a ton of sleek and modern designs to keep you looking fresh and help us give our patients the best.

Don’t wait another moment!

Head over to cciweb.org/store shop around, and support our work today!

SUSAN LEGGETT-JOHNSON

Susan Leggett-Johnson, MD has been a CCI board member since February 2021. She has played an integral role in developing CCI’s graduate medical education program and even volunteered to sit on the GMAT Committee.

Prior to joining CCI’s Board of Directors, Susan sat on a few other boards for organizations in Montgomery County and currently sits on the board of the Augustus White Institute. She also volunteers with the Maven Project, where she offers mentorship and coaching to clinicians and pre-med students.

Susan began her health care journey at Louisiana State University where she served as an administrator for the LSU Medical School.

She completed her residency at Howard University and received her MBA from Loyola University in Baltimore. Now, Susan works as a practicing physician in clinical medicine where she relishes the opportunity to help the community with her skillset and knowledge.

“I love caring for the vulnerable population, providing not just health care, but also education and making it accessible to them,” says Susan.

One of her favorite quotes is attributed to Maya Angelou, When others show you who they are, believe them the first time.

“My purpose is the opportunity to support my family to use the skills I’ve learned over my career to help others,” she says. Scan

DINE OUT

On June 20, CCI staff and friends gathered at All Set Restaurant & Bar for Dine Out Tuesday!

Every Tuesday, All Set chooses a non-profit organization local to Silver Spring to benefit, and this evening was all about CCI.

It was a perfect match as diners were able to eat and donate a percentage of the pre-tax total of their check to CCI. We raised hundreds of dollars in support of our programs and services. The evening was such a success that we’re planning on hosting another benefit night with All Set on November 28, 6–9PM. We hope you can join us!

Discover Ways to Give

There are so many new and exciting things happening at CCI that we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish without our amazing partners! When you give to CCI, you’re investing in a healthy and equitable future for so many of our neighbors across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. That is because we not only focus on our patient's medical and dental health but also their mental and physical health. Additionally, through our WIC services, we’re able to provide nutrition education to women and infant children. It’s safe to say that here at CCI, we do it all! But we need continuous support to better serve our patients with the high-quality, affordable care they deserve.

Sponsor an Event

HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMING

CCI provides relevant health education presentations and workshops to our patients and the greater community in order to increase awareness of health disparities and share resources. In 2023, CCI offered programming on a variety of topics including cervical cancer, social media and its impact on mental health, immunizations, maternal health, and more.

RUN BABY RUN

September 30, 2023

CCI’s annual Run Baby Run 5K raises funds and awareness about the importance of maternal and child health. Like communities across the country, our region experiences maternal and child health disparities that impact access to prenatal care services. This event helps support CCI’s prenatal care program to combat these disparities and provide the health education and nutrition assistance our communities need to thrive.

BLOCK PARTY

August 12, 2023

Each year, CCI hosts a Block Party to encourage youth in the community to take control of their health. It’s a chance for the local community to come together for a day of fun, food, and games. It is held annually at our Greenbelt location where we’re able to provide confidential and free testing services as well as partner with other health, fitness, career, and education organizations.

WIC SHOWER

August 30, 2023

During World Breastfeeding Month, WIC at CCI hosts a shower for its participants to encourage and bring awareness to the importance of breastfeeding. Held annually, the shower helps prepare new parents to breast feed or pump as they prepare to return to work.

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation

Donate online or make a gift by mail.

Gift online: cciweb.org/getinvolved/donate/

Gift by mail: 8665 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Through your support, we can continue to improve health outcomes in the community. Consider donating or supporting one of our events today!

For over 10 years, CCI has partnered with Korth Construction to ensure our facilities meet the highest standards of care for our community. Their commitment to excellence and personal management has made them an ideal partner.

In June, they completed a total renovation of our Silver Spring location as we expanded our space throughout the whole 12th floor and they’ve performed countless jobs at other locations.

Outside of contracted work, Korth continues to support CCI events, from our Block Party to our Run Baby Run 5K race. Their sponsorship allows us to extend our care from the exam room to in the community.

Thank you Korth Construction for being our 2023 Impact Sponsor!