Public Health Directions | Spring 2012-2013

SPRING 2013

Public Health

DIRECTIONS In This Issue: A Message from Richard J. Cohen (2)… PHMC Welcomes the Villa (2)... Q&A with Caryn Gratz (3)... Bridging the Gaps: Innovation in Data Sharing Policies Through an Interdisciplinary Partnership (4)... PHMC Innovates with Electronic Health Record Consulting Services (6)... HPC’s Tobacco Enforcement Program Unveils Tablet PC (7)...

Fifth Annual Community Health Partners for Sustainability Conference Meets in Philadelphia (8)... CHDB: PHMC Center for Data Innovation (9)... The Public Health Bracket (10)

PHMC Researchers Identify Gaps in LGBT Elder Health Care

A

s a longtime teacher, Brenda Clark

215 self-administered surveys of persons

ings, revealed that 39 percent of study

never had a reason to be concerned

55 or older living in the Philadelphia area

participants reported negative experienc-

about accessing health care while

who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual

es with healthcare providers. Two-thirds

she was employed. However, today, as a

and/or transgender, or reported a same-

of those reporting a negative experience

recent retiree at the age of 54 and a gay

sex partner in the past 12 months. All data

attributed this mistreatment to their

woman, Clark worries about both herself

collection procedures and instruments

sexual orientation or gender presenta-

and her LGBT peers who may not have

were developed in collaboration with the

tion or identity. “There was a great deal

easy access to care in their later years. In a

project’s 20-person Community Advisory

of interest from the LGBT community

recently released study titled “Assessment

Board, which included members of the

about our study,” says research assistant

of Health Needs of LGBT Older Adults in

LGBT community, like Clark, as well as

Janene Brown, who worked on the assess-

Philadelphia,” researchers at PHMC’s Re-

service providers. “I wanted to look at the

ment project and presented the results at

search and Evaluation Group analyzed

issues that affect women my age who have

a town hall at Philadelphia’s Church of St.

the health needs of older LGBT residents

trouble accessing health care,” says Clark.

Luke and the Epiphany in October. “We

in Philadelphia through a comprehensive

“I’ve always had health insurance and car-

wanted to share our findings with care

survey of over 200 people.

ing providers, but I know not everybody is

providers and the community, keep them

that lucky. And I know that as I’m getting

engaged in conversation and get recom-

older, more health issues may come up.”

mendations from them.”

The study started with a series of focus groups and individual interviews, which helped to inform the development of the

The groundbreaking study focused on

The preliminary release of the study’s

survey instrument. In addition to the quali-

the unique healthcare issues impacting

results coincided with acceptance of Penn-

tative data, the study includes data from

LGBT older adults and, among other find-

continued on page 5

“ I ’ve always had health insurance and caring providers, BUT I KNOW NOT EVERYBODY IS THAT LUCKY.”

a publication of

PUBLIC HEALTH

management corporation

A MESSAGE from Richard J. Cohen Here at PHMC, innovation isn’t just a word—it’s woven into the very core of our public health work.

E

very day, our employees and stake-

Our commitment to regional innovation

Our public health work doesn’t stop in

holders look at the work we do and

is also embodied in PHMC’s Center for

the Delaware Valley. Our passion to inno-

find creative ways to do it better. In-

Data Innovation, which provides cutting-

vate motivates us to share our resources

novation means not only developing new

edge research solutions to the nonprofit

with communities nationwide. It’s why

solutions, but also staying ahead of the

and corporate sectors and directly increas-

our affiliate, National Nursing Centers

industry, providing our clients with high-

es the overall well-being of the commu-

Consortium, continues to partner with

quality holistic care, tapping into our vast

nity. Or in our partnership with our new-

health lawyers, public health researchers

network and constantly expanding our ser-

est affiliate, The Villa, which provides a

and social service providers from a variety

vices. Because the work we do doesn’t just

specialized residential program for youth.

of national organizations to increase the

affect lives, it affects entire communities,

Through the work of Caryn Gratz, our new

transparency of information to health de-

both regionally and nationally.

managing director of behavioral health, we

partments nationwide.

Our employees are always pushing for new initiatives in our region, like at Health

were able to partner with The Villa and further expand our service offerings.

But we couldn’t do it without you. Your support helps create and sustain healthier

Promotion Council, where employees part-

We understand that innovation needs

nered with our IS team to provide electronic

to be shared to help increase community

tablets to better report merchants who sell

impact. And that’s why we believe it’s part

tobacco to children. Or through Targeted

of our responsibility as a leading public

Solutions, our consulting arm, which helps

health institute to provide assistance to

healthcare centers enter the 21st century

other providers across the country. For ex-

by implementing electronic health records.

ample, our Community Health Partners

Richard J. Cohen, PhD, FACHE

The quest for innovation also inspired our

for Sustainability, which celebrated its

President and CEO of PHMC

Research and Evaluation team to pioneer

fifth conference just this year, continues

a groundbreaking study on LGBT elders

to provide health clinics with the backup

and identify gaps in health care.

they need to focus on care.

communities. Thank you for all you do.

Yours in public health,

PHMC Welcomes The Villa

I

n spring 2013, The Villa, formerly St.

the community. The Villa’s comprehensive

appropriate social skills. Additionally, the

Mary’s Villa for Children and Families,

program addresses the physical, cognitive,

programming focuses on the skill develop-

a specialized residential program for

social, educational and emotional needs of

ment necessary for reunification with family

youth, joined PHMC as a member of its affil-

youth so they can become productive mem-

and introduction into the public school sys-

iate family. The Villa serves youth who have

bers of society. The Villa offers services to

tem. The inclusion of The Villa in PHMC’s

demonstrated a history of truancy, emotion-

address academic issues and strengthen

affiliate family further expands the scope of

al trauma, family conflict and difficulties in

family relationships, while developing age-

PHMC’s services to the community.

page 2 PHMC.ORG

A Holistic Role: Q&A with Caryn Gratz, Managing Director of Behavioral Health Public Health Directions sat down with Caryn Gratz, managing director of behavioral health at PHMC, to talk about her beginnings as a social worker, her passion for behavioral health and her plans for PHMC’s behavioral health network in 2013.

Q A

Tell us, what attracted you to the work of behavioral health? Were you always in this field?

I’ve been in the field of behavioral health for over 25 years. Initially, I started as a social worker because I loved working

program this large?

[Laughs] Well, on the flip side, the pro can also be a con. Our diversity is both impressive and challenging. But the actual chal-

Q A

for PHMC’s behavioral health network this year?

One of our primary focuses is the integration of primary and behavioral care under PHMC. We also want to em-

lenges have more to do with reacting to

phasize the infusion quality initiatives.

ference in their lives. Later on, I moved

changes in funding streams and policies.

In the midst of financial and political

administrative, holistic role—enforcing system-wide change by influencing the structure of programs.

A

of managing a behavioral network

What are some of your team’s plans

directly with people and making a diffrom direct care with adults to a more

Q

Q A

What are some of the challenges

You’ve only been working here

Q A

changes, we challenge ourselves to Who or what inspires you as you carry

maintain a high level of quality for

out this work?

our clients. We believe we can find

Before I came here, I was fortunate

creative ways to work with our clients

enough to be mentored by the individu-

and their families. Finally, we want to

als responsible for de-institutionalizing

continue to grow and expand through

since October 2012. What impresses

behavioral health and bringing clients

partnerships with other organizations

you about PHMC’s behavioral health

into the community and helping them

in the community.

network?

navigate the system. It was a good learn-

Its diversity. PHMC’s behavioral health

ing experience and it offered me an

network has such a diverse range of pro-

invaluable perspective on the effects

gramming. We have a lot of expertise and

transformation and recovery can have on

knowledge in a lot of areas, ranging from

clients. It also gave me more depth about

addiction services to sexual abuse.

behavioral health.

Q A

And finally, what do you do when you’re not helping to transform lives at PHMC? I strive to spend all the time that I can with my 10-year-old and 8-year-old daughters.

Join JJPI at Widener University May 4

O

n Saturday, May 4, PHMC affiliate

tured presenters include Dr. Richard Gartner,

tim hood to the possibilities for men healing

Joseph J. Peters Institute kicks off

therapist and nationally recognized author on

and restoring trust in their relationships. Par-

the second in a series of conferences

recovery from male childhood sexual abuse,

ticipants will learn how these injuries arise,

at Widener University about men’s lives will

and Dr. Michael Kimmel, sociologist, and

are exacerbated by, the culture of masculinity

focus on healing from childhood trauma from

one of our era’s foremost thinkers on male de-

and effects of growing up male in our society.

sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, and

velopment and masculinity. The goal is to help

For more information about the conference, or

emotional abuse related to homophobia. Fea-

participants think beyond pathology and vic-

to register, email events@jjp.org.

Public Health DIRECTIONS SPRING 2013 page 3

Bridging the Gaps: Innovation in Data Sharing Policies Through an Interdisciplinary Partnership

H

ow do public health initiatives

Policy Director Jamie Ware and PHMC’s

laws will include statutes and regulations

identify and treat diseases as effec-

Senior Research Associate Jennifer Lauby,

in all 50 states, Washington DC, and the

tively as possible? The need to pro-

who is directing the overall project.

10 cities with the highest HIV burden that

vide comprehensive, consistent treatment

“The clients that health departments serve

are eligible for direct CDC funding: Atlan-

for people with HIV/AIDS, STDs, viral

often suffer from a number of chronic condi-

ta, Baltimore, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale,

hepatitis and tuberculosis has accelerated

tions and behavioral health issues. Tradition-

Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,

momentum toward collaboration and inte-

ally, they have had to go to separate service

Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

gration of prevention services by health de-

providers for each of their conditions, result-

After researching the laws, the team’s

partments. In 2009, the Centers for Disease

ing in care that is fragmented and uncoor-

next steps include categorizing and evalu-

Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a

dinated,” says Lauby. While PCSI develops

ating the existing laws. Those results are

framework called “Program Collaboration

strategies for more coordination among pro-

then posted online on PHLR’s Law Atlas

and Service Integration Strategy” (PCSI)

viders and healthcare agencies, one potential

page (www.lawatlas.org). A final report

to improve health outcomes for these dis-

barrier to coordination is the need to protect

will identify jurisdictions with the fewest

eases. In fall 2012, National Nursing Cen-

the confidential health information of each

barriers to data sharing that can be a model

ters Consortium (NNCC) and PHMC jointly

patient. Care providers are required to work

for other jurisdictions.

began a new project through funding from

within the laws of their state to find ways to

“Although all health departments across

the National Network of Public Health In-

best share information and coordinate care,

the country should be thinking about how

stitutes (NNPHI), of which PHMC has been

while also protecting their clients’ privacy.

laws, regulations, and rules used to protect

a member for the last eight years.

“Our project will make it easier for healthcare

people’s confidential information can af-

The project, titled “Addressing Policy

agencies and providers to find and under-

fect successful data-sharing within health

Barriers for State and Local Health Depart-

stand the laws that govern sharing of health

departments, it takes a certain amount of

ments When Implementing the Program

information in their state,” says Lauby.

resources,” says Ware. “An assessment of

Collaboration and Service Integration Strat-

Beginning in September 2012, the

laws related to the confidentiality of pa-

egy,” involves a unique collaboration be-

NNCC, PHMC, the NNPHI and the CDC

tient data has not been conducted in the

tween PHMC, NNCC, the Temple Law Pub-

met about the project and shortly thereaf-

last 10 years, but in this time of dwindling

lic Health Law Research Program (PHLR),

ter began collecting relevant statutes and

resources, we think it’s vital work.”

and the PCSI Program at the Philadelphia

regulations that address reporting require-

The end result will be a website available to

Department of Public Health and five other

ments for HIV/AIDS, STDs, viral hepatitis,

the public in May 2013. All the relevant laws

PCSI sites across the country, and aims

tuberculosis and more. These data include

will then be available online, via a policy sur-

to improve the implementation of PCSI

confidentiality and permissible disclosure

veillance page, where updates can be made.

through awareness of confidentiality laws.

to service providers; laws affecting partner

“This project maximizes the opportunity for

The interdisciplinary PHMC team includes

notification; and laws on the use and secu-

programs in health departments to share

NNCC’s Policy Associate Sarah Hexem and

rity of surveillance data. The inventory of

data about shared patients.” says Ware.

Notables Honors Awards and Achievements

nonprofit organization that provides first-time, low-

on a documentary she wrote, directed and produced

Eudora Burton, a social-services specialist for Open-

income mothers with a public health nurse home

called GenerationNext: Uncovered. The 19-minute

ing Doors, a program of PHMC initially funded by

visiting program. In her role, Burton helps mothers

video captures teens and young adults talking about

the Pew Foundation and currently supported by the

increase their knowledge and skills to secure safe, af-

living with HIV. The video project was a collaboration

Southeastern Pennsylvania United Way, was recently

fordable housing for their families. To find the article

between iChoose2live, a media and performing arts

featured in The Philadelphia Daily News. Opening

in The Philadelphia Daily News in full, click here.

based company, and Take Control Philly, a Philadelphia

Doors provides supports to PHMC affiliate National Nursing Centers Consortium’s Nurse-Family Partner-

page 4 PHMC.ORG ship (NFP), the

Philadelphia branch of a national

Department of Public Health (PDPH) Sexually TransmitOn December 11, Shenille Melton, PALMS project co-

ted Disease (STD) program. To watch the documentary

ordinator was featured on Huffington Post for her work

in full, visit the Huffington Post website.

Closing the Gap... continued from page 1

The study, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, as-

sylvania’s 2012–2016 State Plan on Aging

sessed the healthcare experiences and needs of LGBT older adults in Philadelphia, documented barri-

by the US Administration on Aging and

ers to accessing health care and recommended screenings. The survey provided a more comprehensive

the Administration for Community Living,

snapshot of the senior LGBT experience. “Very few studies have been done of LGBT elders,” says Brown.

which included input from PHMC research-

“It’s still a field where there’s a lot to learn.” During the study, “Assessment of Health Needs of LGBT

ers on LGBT elder issues. It also explored

Older Adults in Philadelphia,” researchers uncovered the following information from participants:

LGBT older adults’ plans and concerns for the future, including housing and long-term care, and developed policy recommendations to be shared with government agencies and organizations providing services to older adults. “The study found that one

17%

17%

44%

in five participants reported that they delayed or were unable to obtain medications, dental care and medical care because of insurance and other factors,” says Brown.

Seventeen percent of participants reported that they did not have health insur-

“Also these questions asked whether par-

ance in the past year, 17% didn’t have prescription drug coverage in the past year

ticipants didn’t seek medical care/dental

and 44% didn’t have dental insurance in the past year.

care because of the cost alone. These are things providers need to know.”

At the town hall meeting, Clark joined more than 60 others from the LGBT community in giving recommendations that the researchers can implement as part of their project. Audience members provided input in three focus areas: health infor-

89% 5%

of participants reported receiving a blood pressure screening in the past year of participants reported that they don’t need to get their blood pressure checked

mation for older adults, access to care and social services. Recommendations included more education and outreach targeting older LGBT adults, increased social spaces and programs affirming of

The three most commonly used older adult

older LGBT adults to help decrease isola-

resources were transportation services

tion, sensitivity training for providers of

or resources (32%), activities and pro-

care and increased availability of sexual health information tailored to the needs

56% of participants

of older adults. “The community has come

reported living alone

grams at senior centers (24%), and meals or food programs (17%).

a long way,” says Clark, “But there’s still a long way to go.”

The December edition of Philadelphia SmartCEO

learning is an ideal vehicle for Science, Technology,

In February, “Tapestry of Life,” a broadcast of Commu-

Magazine features Richard J. Cohen, PHMC’s CEO

Engineering and Math (STEM), as a part of the Out-of-

nity College of Philadelphia’s CCPTV, featured Interim

and President in an article titled, “How Philadelphia

School curriculum. Project-based-learning (PBL) em-

House, a PHMC affiliate. Host Pascal Scoles, Jr., profes-

business leaders are preparing for 2013.” To read the

phasizes hands-on activities and is driven by student

sor of CCP’s Behavioral Health Human Services Program,

article online, click here.

interest and authentic inquiry. PBL classrooms engage

Department of Behavioral Sciences, interviewed Interim

students with new ideas - while preserving the fun

House director Kathy Wellbank and former client, cur-

Jason Schwalm, Out-of-School time program special-

and freedom of after school programming. Program

rent staffer Thelma Yancey. To watch the full episode

ist recently contributed an article in AfterSchool Today.

specialists at OST have observed an increase in STEM

In the article, Schwalm writes about how project-based

activites since the advent of PBL in Philadelphia.

of “Tapestry of Life – Women in Recovery,” click here.

Public Health DIRECTIONS SPRING 20137 page 5 continued on page

Targeted Solutions™

PHMC Innovates with Electronic Health Record Consulting Services In addition to helping nonprofit organizations in the region address many of the challenges of today’s changing health and human services environment, PHMC’s Targeted Solutions consults with outside healthcare service agencies to provide a broad spectrum of innovative services pertaining to health information technology (HIT), such as the implementation of electronic health records (EHR).

O

ne such partnership is between

and administrators usher their practices

clear to me that we did not have all the

Targeted Solutions and Planned

and patients into the next stage of technol-

necessary expertise in-house,” says Ilene

Parenthood of Southeastern Penn-

ogy. This work can directly improve care

Marker, vice president for patient services

sylvania (PPSP). Currently, PHMC offers

quality and accessibility.” Transitioning

at PPSP. “We were delighted to find Tar-

HIT consulting services via Targeted So-

from paper to electronic health records

geted Solutions. Their experience support-

lutions to PPSP, which has 12 locations

is a major interdepartmental project with

ing electronic medical records transitions,

throughout the region. Services include go-

which PHMC has many years’ experience,

range of skills within the group and collab-

live project management and coordination,

both from transitioning its own health cen-

orative work model have helped us launch

needs assessment, workflow analysis and

ters to EHR in 2007 and through PHMC’s

the project with confidence and clarity. We

advising on best practices for transitioning

work with PA REACH East, the Regional

are very pleased to be partnering with them

from paper health records to EHR.

Extension Center in eastern PA dedicated

on this critical undertaking.”

“Planned Parenthood’s services are

to helping healthcare practices meet the

For more information about EHR as-

crucial to southeastern Pennsylvania,”

federal standard of care with EHRs known

sistance for your health center, contact

says Anne Lynn, MPH, health informa-

as Meaningful Use.

Michael Bedrosian, managing director

tion technology specialist II at PHMC.

“When we began planning for our transi-

“Through this work, we will help providers

tion to electronic medical records, it was

of information systems for PHMC, at mikeb@phmc.org.

“ Through this work, we will help providers and administrators usher their practices and patients into the next stage of technology. THIS WORK CAN DIRECTLY IMPROVE CARE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY.”

Targeted Solutions, the consulting practice of Public Health Management Corporation, helps nonprofit organizations in the region address many of the challenges of today’s changing health and human services environment. From improving communication with funders and donors to carrying out mission-critical initiatives and increasing operating efficiencies, PHMC’s Targeted Solutions offers practical, strategic, proactive consulting services and products tailored to meet the needs of client organizations. For a full list of Targeted Solutions products and services, please contact Farrah Parkes at fparkes@phmc.org or 267.765.2343.

HPC’s Tobacco Enforcement Program Unveils Tablet PCs

A

s a parent, Theresa Keith knows

In January 2013, tablet PCs replaced pa-

a citation. “In the last year, the sales rate of

firsthand the importance of keep-

per as the primary method of reporting to-

tobacco decreased 8 percent,” says Keiren

ing tobacco out of the hands of

bacco merchants that illegally sell tobacco

O’Connell, regional director of HPC’s To-

youth. “When I drop my daughter off to

to minors. “This has been a dream for quite

bacco Prevention and Control Programs.

high school, there’s always a certain cor-

a while,” says John Mullane, program man-

“I fully expect that this number will get

ner where the teens are gathered, smok-

ager at HPC’s Tobacco Enforcement Pro-

even lower thanks to this new technology.”

ing,” she recalls. However, as an FDA

gram. “In the past, reports were all done on

HPC collaborated closely with PHMC’s

commissioned officer and tobacco enforce-

paper surveys that then had to be returned

IS department on the tablet initiative.

ment coordinator for Health Promotion

to the office, during business hours, and

“PHMC has the unique capability to not

Council (HPC), a PHMC affiliate, Keith

faxed to the city for enforcement. With this

only develop applications for its programs,

actually has the power to prevent tobacco

new device, we will be able to send out a re-

but also to host them as a cloud services

from ever reaching the hands of minors.

port immediately after the illegal sale.” In

provider,” says Michael Bedrosian, man-

In her position at HPC’s Tobacco Enforce-

addition to decreasing turnaround time, the

aging director of information systems. “The

ment Program, which receives funds from

digital reports have the additional benefit

application uses the tablet’s GPS capability

the Philadelphia Department of Public

of clarifying reports. “Sometimes it can be

to record the exact location of the store,

Health to monitor Philadelphia stores for

hard to discern handwriting,” says Keith,

making it easier to support Department of

compliance with the Youth Access Law to

laughing. “Not everyone has the neatest,

Public Health enforcement efforts.”

prohibit tobacco sales to those under age

most legible handwriting.”

Jeffrey Knightly, a programmer analyst

18, Keith performs tobacco compliance

In Philadelphia alone, HPC has conduct-

with IS, helped with the project. He and

checks twice weekly at stores throughout

ed as many as 10,000 surveys a year for

other IS programmers created an applica-

Philadelphia. Along with 16 adult survey-

SmokeFreePhilly. Adults escort youth to

tion that allows users to take pictures of

ors, and seven youth surveyors, Keith and

various locations in the city that sell tobac-

the stores with their tablets, record infor-

her team at HPC make unscheduled stops

co. At the location, youth go into the store

mation about the store, and if the store is in

to merchants all over the city to find out

and attempt to buy tobacco products. Once

violation, generate a report of the violation

who may be illegally selling tobacco to mi-

the sale occurs, the adults report the inci-

to be immediately processed for a citation.

nors. Now, Keith and her team’s job just

dent to the Philadelphia Department of En-

“It just saves so much time,” says Knightly.

got easier, thanks to tablet PCs.

vironmental Health Services, which issues

“It’s an invaluable tool.”

Notables... continued from page 5

cialists, they will receive more opportunities for well-

communities and their residents,” says PHMC research

Students Run Philly Style, a program of National

paying careers helping other people who struggle

associate Rose Malinowski Weingartner. “They al-

Nursing Centers Consortium, a PHMC affiliate, was

with drug abuse and or behavioral challenges.

low programs to better understand the needs of the

feature in this month’s issue of Sports Illustrated.

people they’re serving.” To read the full CHDB press

Read the article, “How running changed the life of

In February, five environmental education projects re-

release, visit the PHMC website. Additionally, visit our

one Philadelphia teenage,” online now.

ceived a total of $25,000 in grants from National Nurs-

Public Health Dialogue blog for a Philadelphia Daily

ing Centers Consortium, a PHMC affiliate, through a

News article about the CHDB data release.

Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grant re-

In February, Interim House, a PHMC affiliate, received

cipients include Briar Bush Nature Center, Sustainable

PHMC affiliate Metropolitan Career Center, a non-

a $12,500 Career Development for Women in Recovery

Business Education Initiative, Green Treks Network and

profit workforce development organization that edu-

grant from Women’s Way. The grant provides 15 suc-

more. To read the full list and to learn more about the

cates and trains individuals who have limited access

cessful graduates of Interim House the opportunity to

projects, read the full story in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

to resources, has been awarded a two-year, $717,000

participate in a rigorous program to become certified

grant by STRIVE International to provide training and

in Pennsylvania as Peer Recovery Specialists. They

As of February, Community Health Data Base is excit-

employment services to formerly incarcerated juve-

will receive academic and GED training with Interim

ed to announce the release of the data from the 2012

niles and young adults. The grant will enable MCC

House’s teachers and career training from PRO-ACT

Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey.

to serve 120 youth in Philadelphia through a new

(Pennsylvania Recovery Organization – Achieving

“The results of our 2012 Household Health Survey

U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)–funded initiative

Community Together). As certified Peer Recovery Spe-

provide an excellent snapshot of the wellbeing of our

called STRIVE for the Future.

Public Health DIRECTIONS SPRING 2013 page 7

Fifth Annual Community Health Partners for Sustainability Conference Meets in Philadelphia

I

among

Association of Community Health Centers

trators and community partners across

other things, the implications of Afford-

and was made possible with the support

the United States had the opportunity

able Care Act implementation, which au-

of the Independence Foundation and the

to learn more about the Congreso Health

thorizes funding to expand the nation’s

Independence Blue Cross Foundation.

Center, Philadelphia’s newest Federally

network of FQHCs, which currently serve

“Transforming health care through inno-

Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a part-

20 million patients and are estimated to

vation is our foundation’s mission, and

nership of PHMC and Congreso de Latinos

serve double that number by 2015. “The

we’re proud that our funding for safety-

Unidos. The center, which serves an esti-

Affordable Care Act is remaking our na-

net clinics, serving more than 150,000 of

mated 2,500 patients annually, opened in

tion’s healthcare system. This means

our region’s most vulnerable, has helped

December 2012 and offers fully bilingual

communities that have traditionally been

increase access to quality care,” said Lori-

primary care to residents in the community

unserved or underserved have a tremen-

na Marshall-Blake, president of the Inde-

regardless of their ability to pay.

dous opportunity to access the services

pendence Blue Cross Foundation. “We’re

n November 2012, clinicians, adminis-

The

symposium

examined,

The tour was just one feature of “Scal-

they need to stay healthy,” said Alex Lehr

pleased to participate in the sharing of

able Innovations for Health Centers and

O’Connell, director of Community Health

ideas and best practices that will continue

Public Housing,” a national technical as-

Partners for Sustainability. “The sympo-

to best serve those in need.”

sistance symposium hosted by Community

sium highlighted those opportunities, and

Health Partners for Sustainability, a pro-

explored best practices to ensure that

gram of PHMC affiliate National Nursing

so-called safety-net care never becomes

Interested in participating in the next Com-

Centers Consortium. Community Health

second-class care, but remains care of the

munity Health Partners for Sustainability

Partners for Sustainability is a nonprofit

highest quality and efficiency.”

national symposium, “Keys to Health Cen-

provider of technical assistance and con-

The event was held in partnership with

ter Success,” in Denver, Colorado, on June

sultation for community health centers in

the Pennsylvania Association of Commu-

4–6, 2013? Submit an abstract. Click here

underserved neighborhoods that lack ac-

nity Health Centers, the Alliance for Chil-

for more information.

cess to affordable, quality health care.

dren and Families, and the Mid-Atlantic

Community Health Partners for Sustainability Snapshot The 2012 symposium “Scalable Innovations for Health Centers and Public Housing,” was held November 29–30, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia.

There were 224 attendees from 29 states, as well as the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico.

Over 25 individuals engaged in one-on-one technical assistance with Community Health Partners for Sustainability staff and consultants during the symposium.

In December, symposium participants were asked for feedback on each of the presenters. The overall session received an aggregate evaluation score of 8.14 out of ten (compared to an industry average of 7.10/10), and feedback was positive across all plenary and breakout presentations.

page 8 PHMC.ORG

PHMC Center for Data Innovation Measuring Impact of Programs For Overall Wellbeing of the Community

P

HMC understands intimately the

the Delaware Valley area. The services this

importance of data for regional orga-

center will provide for its members are:

nizations that deal with health ser-

A geographic reach that extends beyond

Collaborations with national, state and federal agencies as well as foundations to both inform and disseminate information

vices, as well as its significance for policy

the Southeastern Pennsylvania region

The center will also support innovative

and decision makers in matters of commu-

Quantitative data collection through the

organization-wide initiatives, PHMC’s in-

nity health. As a public health institute and

Community Health Database (CHDB)

ternal programs and help understand area

a leader in community health data collec-

and its biennial Household Health Sur-

residents better so that we can provide mea-

tion, analysis, integration and application,

vey, other targeted community surveys,

surable impact to the communities we serve.

PHMC is constantly innovating to enrich its

and qualitative data collection including

“We are getting a very good response from

data. In February 2013, PHMC expanded

focus groups, key informant interviews

our members who appreciate this value-offer-

its scope even further—as an outgrowth of

and multimodal research initiatives that

ing,” says Francine Axler, senior research

the work of PHMC’s Research and Evalua-

are integrative with and expand the

associate. CHDB members look forward

depth of our community surveys

to the household survey results every two

tion Group (REG)—through the launch of the Center for Data Innovation. The mis-

Community health needs assessments

years, through its biennial survey. Currently,

sion of the Center for Data Innovation is to

and community health policy studies

CHDB is one of the largest community-based

expand on the existing Community Health

Technical assistance trainings on out-

household health surveys and is used by

Data Base and deliver data-driven results to

come measurement and logic models

over 400 agencies. It follows a unique meth-

improve the well-being of communities as a

Innovative online tools, data dash-

odology that enables it to offer insight into

whole. The Center expands on the rich Com-

boards, web page applications, and en-

neighborhoods and service areas, creating

munity Health Data Base products and ser-

hanced online analytic capabilities that

a tailored product for each user. Now with

vices and will include additional capabilities

improve the accessibility and timeliness

the launch of the center, consumers get en-

for both nonprofit and corporate members in

of information that the Center collects

hanced offerings all in one place.

We did a search process to find a research partner to help hospitals with the community needs assessments required by the Affordable Care Act. Our research showed CHDB as a clear winner. CHDB is unique because it can provide regional information on a whole host of public health and health care access issues. The data is great for viewing trends, making longitudinal comparisons and comparing how we’re doing on national, state and Healthy People goals. It was also great to work directly with their staff to develop our community needs assessment questionnaire.

The Community Health Data Base (CHDB) South-

Priscilla Koutsouradis

eastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey is

Communications Director, Delaware Valley Healthcare Council of The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of one Pennsylvania of the largest regional health surveys in the nation, covering Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, and now

We’ve been using CHDB for 10 plus years. CHDB is innovative in that it is always addingSchuylkill, new topics to itsBerks biennial Lancaster, and Centre Counties. It has beenCHDB conducted every two years since 1994. The questionnaire. It does a good job of collecting, analyzing and promoting the database. Having data certainly Pew Charitable Trusts, the William Penn Foundation, gave Main Line Health a leg up on other parts of the country that don’t have the extensive community health database United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and

that we’re fortunate to have. We use CHDB data and information for many of our grant proposals and for demographic

over 350 local agencies from the health,

information that are hard to find elsewhere.

government, nonprofit and academic sectors help to support CHDB. For more informa-

Morris Fansler, MPA, FACHE

tion on CHDB, visit chdbdata.org.

Director, Strategic Marketing and Research, Main Line Health

Public Health DIRECTIONS SPRING 2013 page 9

SPRING 2013

Public Health DIRECTIONS Public Health Directions is produced and distributed in electronic format only. If you know someone who would like to receive it, or if you would like to update your email address, please contact us at communications@phmc.org or call 267.773.4346.

The Public Health Bracket In our last issue, we asked you how would like to see PHMC share public health news and information. Here is what you said: Videos on YouTube that highlight public health programs and services 0% A blog featuring public health thought leaders 50.0%

More photos on our Twitter and Facebook pages 50%

You’ll be happy to know that since our last issue, we have created a new blog in response to your feedback and increased the photos on our social media. Find out more by visiting our blog, Public Health Dialogue. In this issue, since our theme is “innovation,” we ask: How do public health institutes innovate for the future?

Focus on training young leaders for the future Collaborate with local public health programs at colleges and universities to provide research-based curriculum Align our programming with nationally successful models All three

Click here to play!

Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972.

For more information, call us at 215.985.2500 or visit PHMC.ORG 260 South Broad Street | Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215.985.2500 PHONE | 215.985.2550 FAX

PHMC is a United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Community Partner | Donor Code: 2050 PHMC provee servicios bilingues para nuestros clients sin costo alguno. © 2012 Public Health Management Corporation

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