2023-2024
United Way of the Piedmont Board of Directors
Mitch Kennedy, Board Chair
Earl Alexander
Laura Barbas-Rhoden
Rob Barrett
Denise Beers-Kiepper
Jay Beeson
Dawn Bingham
Donda Bishop
Kathleen Brady
Reed Brown
Jennifer Cash
Marquice Clark
Parkes Coggins
Kurt Dallas
Shaunté Evans
Dana Fall
Joey Fowler
Dana Gottman
Angela Halstead
Bennie Harris
Craig Haydamack
Katie Henderson
Todd Horne
Sarah Keim
Beth Lancaster
Andrea Moore
Gia Quiñones
Lance Radford
Chris Santoro
Jim Shank
Timika Wilson
IN THIS ISSUE
In May2023,the SpartanburgBehavioral
Health
Task Force(BHTF) celebrated its 10th year of identifying needs,developing partnerships, securing funding streams, and implementing strategies to address the behavioral and mental health needs of SpartanburgCounty.
From the beginning,the BHTF, recognizingthe realities of healthcare,has sought to design upstream prevention strategies to reduce the downstream demand for interventions.
There has been extraordinary commitment, energy, and passion from the now 145+ professionals who constitute the BHTF.
Spartanburghas gained a national reputation for its creative and comprehensive efforts on behalf of mental and behavioral health. It is well-deserved, and I look forward to the continuing work of this group.
Tom Barnet Behavioral Health Task Force Chair and Community Volunteer
Learn about the history and future of our Health work
Hear from the people leading the way to increase access to care
Find out how to further your impact in our community
T
SAFE & HEALTHY LIVES FOR ALL
The history and future of our Health work
The Community Health Improvement Plans (or CHIPs) for Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties tell a similar story: not everyone has equal access to health care in our community. Depending on factors such as where someone lives or the color of their skin, people in our community's health really varies. And lack of access to affordable and quality health care and supportive services prevents many families in our community from living healthy and safe lives.
Find each county's Community Health Improvement Plan at
www.uwpiedmont.org/learn
Wehaveworktodotoimprovehealthequityforeveryoneinourcommunity,butwewanttocelebrate theprogresswe'vemadetogetherinexpandingaccesstocare.Thankstothelast10yearsofwork bytheBehavioralHealthTaskForceanditsmembers,thefollowinghasbeenaccomplished:
ThefirstyearofCompassionateSchools,whichaddressesAdverseChildhoodExperiences (ACEs)andresiliencetrainingforeducators,administratorsandsupportpersonnelaswellas children,families,andthecommunity
Training inMentalHealthFirstAid,Screening,BriefInterventionandReferraltoTreatment (SBIRT),andACEs
Fundingtoprovidetrainingandaccesstoopioidoverdoseresponses
APeerSupportLivingRoom,theEubanksCenter,thatoperatesonthesharedlocationof SpartanburgRegionalHospitalandtheDepartmentofMentalHealth
TelepsychiatrytoSpartanburgRegionalpracticestothebenefitofpatients,clinicians,and physicians
BehavioralHealthResourceGuideforlocalareaservices
SharpenFamily,amentalandbehavioralhealthresourceappformobiledevices
Andmore!
UnitedWayofthePiedmontisproudtoconvenethisTaskForceandlooksforwardtocontinuingour partnershipstoimproveourHealthworkforfuturegenerations.
OUR HEALTH PARTNERS
Sharpen Family, created in partnership with Sharpen Minds, is a health learning tool that connects people in our community to interactive trainings about a variety of health and wellness issues.
"Live Healthy Spartanburg is thrilled to join forces with United Way of the Piedmont in our partnership to promote health equity in Spartanburg County. Kayla Hill's shared role as our Community Health Equity Coordinator allows our health coalition to consistently work toward amplifying community voice and addressing health disparities head-on. Together, we will create a healthier more inclusive Spartanburg for everyone!"
- JaLisa Jordan, Program Manager, Live Healthy Spartanburg
Learn more about United Way's Health work at www.uwpiedmont.org/health
HEALTH EQUITY IN ACTION
A conversation with Kayla Hill,
Health Equity Coordinator
What is health equity?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health equity as "the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health." Health equity means acknowledging the multi-system injustices that have led to preventable health disparities in Black & Brown communities and implementing policies to improve those communities’ social determinants of health
Social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that
influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. (CDC)
What does health equity look like in our community?
Health equity in our community is acknowledging the life expectancy gaps of 17 years in Spartanburg County, 7 years in Cherokee County, and 5 years in Union County--all based on your zip code.
United Way’s team of Community Resource Coordinators, most of whom are also Certified Community Health Workers, impact social determinants of health daily as embedded resources in school systems, universities, & employers across each county As the Community Health Equity Coordinator, my role focuses on promoting community-led initiatives and creating space for collaborative action planning
What are you most excited about when it comes to our United Way health equity work in the future?
I am most excited about deepening connections through partnerships & building healthier, more equitable communities.
You can help local families live healthier lives.
The best way to support our Health work is to give to our Community Impact Fund! This fund supports all of our impact work and team, including our efforts to increase access to care and safe environments.
When you give to the Community Impact Fund, you help us provide services and invest in local programs to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Give now at bit.ly/uwpdonate.
ABOVE: Kayla sharing information and research at community event.
UNITED WAY UPDATE
Ready to Connect, Engage, & Inspire?
Check out our upcoming events & opportunities
STUFF THE BUS
June 16 - July 7
Donate school supplies to help local students get ready for a new school year!
COFFEE & CONVERSATIONS
July 19, 9:00 AM
Session topic: Healthy Schools Initiative
GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN SOCIETY RECOGNITION EVENT
September 14
Featuring presentation of the "One Who Cares" award. Invite-only event. Contact Maria Maddin at mmaddin@uwpiedmont.org to learn more.
Find these and more on our website: www.uwpiedmont.org/events
EVENT SPONSORS
PRESENTING
PLATINUM
AFL Contec
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
GOLD
BMW Manufacturing
Duke Energy
Lockhart Power
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Publix
SILVER
Bank of America
Boulier, Thompson and Barnes
Cintas
Inman Mills
Keurig Dr Pepper
Michelin
Piedmont Natural Gas
Spartanburg Water
The Johnson Group
The Timken Company
Truist
William Barnet & Son
BRONZE
Brown Packing Company
Clayton Construction
Coldwell Banker Caine
Denny's
First Citizens Bank
Harper Construction
Loop Recruiting
Marsh McLennan Agency
McMillan Pazdan Smith
Nestle
Park National Bank
Synovus
Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.
SUMMER 2023
