The Loop - California (November 2024)

BEST NONPROFIT

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA

NOVEMBER 2024

ISSUE 137

VOLUME 12

WestCare Family and Members of the Community, Gratitude is at the heart of what we do at WestCare California, Inc. and this month, designated as National Gratitude Month, offers a meaningful opportunity to express our appreciation for the many people who make our mission possible. It is an honor to serve alongside a team of dedicated staff whose compassion and resilience shine in everything they do. Your commitment to the well-being of others provides hope and healing to those who need it most. Your compassion ensure that our clients receive the care, support, and encouragement they need to overcome challenges and thrive. To the clients who place their trust in us, your strength reminds us why our mission matters and your determination to build brighter futures inspires us daily. We are privileged to walk this journey with you and witness your incredible progress.

To our volunteers and community supporters, thank you for giving your time, energy, and resources so selflessly. You are a critical part of our mission, helping us extend our reach and make a greater impact. To our generous funders, your belief in our work and support for our programs allow us to address critical needs across the many communities we serve in California. Together, we are making a difference that truly Uplifts the Human Spirit.

This month also holds deep significance as we observe Veterans Day. We honor the brave men and women who have served our nation and recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made. At WestCare California, we are privileged to support Veterans through programs like our San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) program, which offers critical services such as housing support, case management, and access to vital resources. Through this program and others, we strive to ensure that those who served our country receive the respect, dignity, and support they deserve. We also want to recognize the sacrifices made by active-duty service members and their families. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms deserves our utmost appreciation and we are honored to support them wherever we can.

As we carry this spirit of thankfulness into our daily work, we are reminded of the incredible network of people who make this mission possible: our staff, clients, volunteers, supporters, funders, and community partners. Thank you for everything you do to help us uplift lives and create lasting change. Your dedication and support make a lasting difference and I am deeply grateful for each of you.

Thank you and take care,

Mary Ann Knoy Vice President WestCare California

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Jenny Gonzalez Vice President WestCare California

Program Spotlight: CalAIM - Enhanced Care Management (ECM) & Community Supports Program ECM & Community Supports is a statewide Medi-Cal benefit available to eligible Medi-Cal members with complex medical and social needs.

This program allows members to have their own care team, including a Lead Care Manager, who will work with the member and their doctors, specialists, pharmacists, case managers, social services providers and others to make sure the member gets the care that they need. Community Supports are services that help address members’ health-related social needs such as support to secure and maintain housing, access to medically tailored meals, support for short term recovery and a variety of other community-based services.

CalAIM Can Help With: Coordinating your care with your doctors and specialists, scheduling appointments/transportation, and following up on referrals Managing your medications Transitions when you are discharged from the hospital Securing medical equipment Connections to community supports to secure and maintain housing, food, and other social services

Referrals Can be Made From: Members can refer themselves Family members and supports Medical Providers (PCPs) Community Partners Health Plan of San Joaquin

For more information, please contact their team by calling (559) 259-9860 or sending an email to calaim@westcare.com Our location: 2291 West March Lane, Suite B-105. Stockton, CA 95207

SJVV HomeFront GPD Gets New Flooring!

OEND Street Outreach

Thank you to C&D Flooring for doing such a beautiful job on our Homefront GPD transitional living units for women Veterans! Our maintenance team also swooped in with an amazing paint job to revitalize the space. We can't wait for a Veteran in need to call this their home!

Our Opioid Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) team's outreach efforts include providing opioid education, overdose training on reversal medication, Fentanyl test strips, hygiene kits, and social service linkages for community members in need. Each community member completes a survey that allows for data tracking of the program's operations. This team conducts outreach in all parts of Fresno County.

Want more information? Contact OEND by calling (559) 832-2068 or sending an email to oend@westcare.com

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Uplifting the Human Spirit The 105th Annual Central Valley Veterans Day Parade

The Fraga Family Shares Hope

Our San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) team attended the 105th Annual Central Valley Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Fresno. This year, the event honored the U.S. Navy. Thank you to everyone who joined the float or helped make it possible!

WestCare California Celebrates Thankful Thursday!

This year, we thank the Fraga family and their friends again for volunteering and donating their time in memory of their son, Richard Fraga. Richard was a young barber who left us too early at the age of 19 due to substance use. Along with Carlos Barbershop Academy, the Fraga family provided free haircuts to our clients at MLK Residential. Join us in thanking them for their generosity and kindness as they encourage those we serve to continue their journey of recovery. If you are in treatment or are going through your own recovery journey, Martha, mother of Richard, had the following to say: "We’re here to encourage all of you. This is a long and difficult journey. You can do it. You have people you don’t even know who are praying for you. Hang in there, one day at a time…

We’re so proud of each and every one of you for taking this step, which is the hardest step you can ever do.”

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at the Learning Center!

In November, Thankful Thursday, was celebrated WestCare-wide! Now in its seventh year, this is a day to give thanks to each other because without those on our team supporting one another, we would not be where we are today! While many of our programs celebrated in their own way, our MLK Residential team kicked off their Thankful Thursday with our friends at National Labs, Inc. Meanwhile, at The Living Room, their staff prepared a special Thanksgiving meal for those they serve!

"Thanksgiving is not just about the turkey; it’s about the moments shared." Charlie Brown The staff and kiddos of our MLK Residential's Learning Center held a Charlie Brown-themed Thanksgiving celebration!

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Uplifting the Human Spirit SJVV Gives Thanks to our Veterans Across the State!

CongOur CORE (Characteristics of Remarkable Employees) Recipients

From Tulare to Stockton, our various San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) offices held special Thanksgiving events for their Veterans served! In Fresno, their Veterans served enjoyed a special Thanksgiving lunch hosted and prepared by the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church. In Merced, their SSG Fox Hope & Wellness and SSVF teams treated their Vets to host a lunch. Meanwhile, the Tulare team had a full house of veterans on hand for lunch. Last but not least, our Stockton team hosted a turkey giveaway for their Veterans thanks to a donation of 30 turkeys from Grocery Outlet! Stockton staff also shared about their services with local Veterans who were picking up turkeys and provided a shuttle service for Veterans who were unable to drive to the event. On behalf of the entire SJVV thank, we give our thanks to those whop have served and the families that have stood by them!

Staff Recognition

Crystal Cheney, Disability Advocate, Housing Services

Disability Advocate, Crystal Cheney was recognized by our Medical Director, Dr. Herbert Cruz, for her excellent work on her very first Medical Summary Report (MSR) for her clients. "MSRs are crucial documents that require an immense amount of work and research," said Dr. Cruz. "Ms. Cheney demonstrated a dogged interest and perfection that will serve WestCare clients well."

Thank you, Crystal, for your efforts in serving our WestCare clients!

Cheyenne Izzo, Job Developer, FCRP - San Diego

Kudos to Cheyenne Izzo, Job Developer from our FCRP San Diego! She is a great example of being a team player and is amazing at rallying her fellow WestCare colleagues to ensure a team spirit. All this results in excellent services to our clients while uplifting her teammates.

CORE Award: Leadership Yesenia Bautista, Program Coordinator, Celebrating Families!

Employee of the Month Karissa Dougherty, Training Coordinator, Administration

Continue the journey online!

Follow WestCare California on social media to read stories, follow our team's journey, and how we're growing throughout the state of California! #WestCareCA

Connect with us in California:

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Get in touch with our Marketing Department to learn more about what is happening in WestCare California at marketing@westcare.com