Positive Transitioning February 2021 - Focus on Health

Focus on Health COVID-19: A Year Later Becoming a Personal Trainer

Become Your Own Health Care Advocate

In This Issue The Health Issue February 2021

Letter from the Executive Director

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Word of the month

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Oklahoma State Resources

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Virtual Interview Tips

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Becoming a Personal Trainer

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COVID-19: A Year Later

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Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate

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Letter from the Executive Director A year ago, we had to pivot and postpone our scheduled issue to write about this new thing called COVID-19. All told, there have been more than 377,000 cases of COVID-19 reported among prisoners. A little more than 300,000 have recovered; there have been at least 2,400 deaths (the rest of the people currently have it).

Although jails and prisons are COVID hotspots, vaccinations aren’t being doled out at the same rate (big surprise). Read the article by Maggie to get more information on COVID-19 in the present.

As if we needed COVID-19 to remind us of the health disparities in the health care system. Read Ericka’s article to find out how to become your own health care advocate, even when it feels like the system is against you.

If you are a fitness buff, there are ways that you can pursue a career in fitness by becoming a personal trainer. Check out Nat’s article to learn more about how to take those steps.

Finally, we’ve added a new feature to the magazine, tips to help you job search. In the first article, we offer tips on how to maneuver a virtual interview.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Sincerely, Porche Proffit

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Masthead and Contributors Editor-in-Chief, Porche Proffit Editor, Ericka Foster

Contributors Contributing Editor, Lakia Goodman Writer, Maggie Allen Writer, Natalie Rodriguez-Steen Positive Transitioning Inc. is a non–profit organization that provides information and resources for individuals reentering the community after incarceration.

In addition to this magazine, Positive Transitioning Inc. offers a 24-hour Resource/Listening Line that services all 50 states. The Resource/Listening line is staffed by life coaches, and provides individuals with the immediate support and resources they may be needed during reentry.

Positive Transitioning Inc. also provides individuals life coaches that will assist them in every step of the reentry process: housing, education, employment, vocational training, obtaining government benefits, veteran assistance, medical management, sponsorship, financial stability, family reintegration, and legal assisting.

Currently Positive Transitioning Inc. is entirely web–based as we are hoping that this makes it easily accessible for anyone to access from anywhere.

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hale

free from defect, disease, or infirmity; retaining exceptional health and vigor The first wealth is health. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Oklahoma State Services  Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Healing to Reentry Project – CCI (tribaljustice.org) The Healing to Reentry Project was designed to assist registered sex-offenders in transition back into their communities. Its services include everything from therapy and employment assistance to housing and education. In addition, it offers an array of cultural components and can refer clients to other local services.  Choctaw Nation provides both Prevention and Reintegration Services choctawnation.com/tribal-services/member-services/reintegration The purpose of this program is aimed at removing barriers to tribal members who are reintegrating back in the communities in which they live. Choctaw Nation provides both Prevention and Reintegration Services.

 Girl Scouts Beyond Bars gseok.org/en/activities/girl-scouts-beyond-bars.html Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) works with girls, their caregivers and siblings, and their incarcerated mothers to build and strengthen healthy, lasting relationships.

Contact the organization directly to find out if the program is taking place during the pandemic.  Inside Out Re-entry Services iors.org Inside Out is a faith-based organization that provides services for women, with a specific re-entry program. It has five housing facilities, and offers a variety of services, including substance abuse counseling and reunification services.  Muscogee Creek Reintegration Program tribaljustice.org/places/corrections-reentry/muscogee-creek-reintegrationprogram/ The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Reintegration Program provides intensive case management and reentry services to tribal members who have been incarcerated.

When clients are released from custody, the program provides financial assistance for basic needs such as housing, clothing, and groceries, and offers long-term support through educational, vocational, and legal services.

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 Resonance Center for Women resonancetulsa.org/whatwedo/re-entry-services/ Resonance offers services ranging from substance abuse treatment to classes and case management in various Oklahoma women’s correctional facilities. After release, Resonance offers educational groups and classes, driver’s license reinstatement, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and more.

National Resources  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) aclu.org/issues/prisoners-rights Prisoners’ rights to read, write, speak, practice their religion, and communicate with the outside world are often curtailed far beyond what is necessary for institutional security.  CareerOneStop careeronestop.org/Site/american-job-center.aspx Located across the country, American Job Centers can help you look for work and offer job search workshops, free computer access, and more.  National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org/ The purpose of NAMI Alabama is to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and others whose lives are affected mental health disorders.  National HIRE Network hirenetwork.org The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion.  National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) nrrc.csgjusticecenter.org Funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) is the nation’s primary source of information and guidance in reentry.  U.S. Veterans Administration va.gov/ABOUT_VA/index.asp Most veterans who are in jail or prison will eventually reenter the community. VA’s HCRV program is designed to promote success and prevent homelessness among Veterans returning home after incarceration.

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Tips for a Virtual Interview In this COVID world, virtual interviews are becoming more and more common. Many of the tips that you would follow for a phone or in-person interview are the same. However, there are some things that you may not think about that will either create a better impression on your interviewer OR make you feel comfortable.

Avoid distractions When you are in the call, be on the call. You might be tempted to click tabs or do a quick Google search while you are in front of your computer. You should avoid the urge. Do your research and be prepared ahead of time so that you are not clicking away while your interviewer is asking you questions. Also, be sure to turn off any notifications that might ding while you are on your call. Keep in mind, we are all working from our homes, so people might walk in, dogs may bark, inevitably there will be yard work or sirens. That’s OK. Keep your cool. When you know what you’re talking about, you’ll be able to jump back in if you are interrupted.

Test your technology Get online a few minutes early to make sure that your internet connection is stable or that you won’t be forced download updates before or during your call. Check camera. You want to make sure that your lighting and background are appropriate and ready for your call. where the mute button is, so that you can easily maneuver the software. Use headphones, and make they work with the program ahead of time.

to your your Know sure

Get dressed up We can’t help but to be more casual in our own homes. And when you’re confident and being yourself in an interview, hopefully, you get comfortable. But make sure that you dress up for the interview. When all you have to do for a virtual interview is turn on your computer, you will look like you really want it by dressing for the part. The good news is that you can get away with dressing up from the waist up. Women could probably get away with earrings and lipstick. The knot of a necktie will show up in the camera frame, and will make the impression that you care.

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Becoming a Personal Trainer

by Nat Rodriguez-Steen

For personal trainer Hector Guadalupe, fitness is an integral part of one’s overall wellness. Hector spent 10 years in prison and has since created a nonprofit, A Second U Foundation, which helps formerly incarcerated individuals get certified as personal trainers as well as helps them find jobs. Nearly 200 people have graduated from Hector’s program and none of them have reoffended. These numbers are not just the power of fitness but the power of financial security, a supportive community, and learning skills that combine passion and financial wellbeing. Nonprofits, like Hector’s, are important for building foundations and providing opportunities to those who may struggle with finding employment due to their incarceration status. Fitness is hard-work, dedication, and going beyond what you thought you could do. Combining the passion and dedication of fitness with a job creates opportunities for those looking to challenge themselves.

A big step towards becoming a personal trainer is deciding if the profession is the right one.

Personal training is usually flexible, there is room for growth, and it can be rewarding to see people achieve their goals with your help. Personal training does have to revolve primarily around the client’s schedule and usually it becomes necessary to sell one’s services which can be downsides.

Good personal trainers are patient, persistent, and motivational. They are also flexible in understanding their client’s needs and abilities. If you decide that personal training is the best path forward, the next step is getting certified.

Certification is an important and crucial step in the journey to becoming a personal trainer. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) are the two respected certifying bodies in the health and fitness industry. There are a couple different well-known certifications including the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Fitness Mentors (FM), the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF), American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

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ACE, NASM, ACSM, and NSCA are NCCA accredited organizations whereas ISSA is a DEAC accredited organization.

The best course of action is to compare and contrast the varying accredited organizations and decide what will work best for your budget or what a potential employer might want you certified with for a job.

After certification, the next step is finding employment. Personal trainers can work in all sorts of places. Some have their own business or do at-home training, while others work for gyms.

Personal trainers can do corporate fitness for a company, or train on cruise ships, or at wellness centers, spas, and resorts.

Personal trainers can also specialize and get additional certification which can be beneficial for finding employment in certain areas. Some areas a personal trainer might specialize in are elderly populations, medical, or athletics. Personal trainers have plenty of opportunity for mobility and change.

It is always good to learn more about what is involved in becoming a personal trainer and conducting your own research into the profession before choosing this path. If you do choose this path and decide that personal training is the best choice for you then it can be highly rewarding and worthwhile for those who love fitness and helping others.

For more info on the different certifications see: https://www.ptpioneer.com/bestpersonal-trainer-certification-guide/ 9

COVID-19: A Year Later

By Maggie Allen

After nearly a year of waiting, approximately 39,000 detained Americans received the Covid-19 vaccine in January 2021. But despite the unique spread risk of jails and prisons, the question of when the rest of the United States’ 2.3 million incarcerated will receive the vaccine depends largely on where they are, as well as each jurisdiction’s vaccine prioritization plans and considerations.

In addition, many states and advocacy groups are seeing backlash due to the limited number of vaccines currently available, and the general population’s continued refusal to take inmates’ issues seriously.

How Prisons Become Hotspots It is nearly impossible to socially distance effectively when incarcerated, and personal protective equipment (PPE) has been scarce or not widely distributed.

Sanitation can be very poor and medical resources very limited. Add to it the usual disdain or indifference prisoners receive from policy makers and their constituents, and you can easily see how thoroughly unequipped the American justice system was to handle this kind of situation. It was a recipe for disaster, and even worse, it was basically inevitable.

In some states, the mortality rate in prisons has been over seven times as high as it was among the state’s general population. According to the Marshall Project, by February 9, 2021, at least 377,497 people in prison had tested positive for the illness. Of that number, 300,678 have recovered, but the time needed and severity of any lasting effects can vary.

The growing number of incarcerated individuals becoming sick and dying is not an isolated issue either. Vendors and prison staff are also uniquely at risk to catch and spread the virus, bringing it anywhere else they may go. The Marshall Project reports that 101,785 cases have been found among staff workers, of which 72,866 have recovered so far.

Prison Health Initiatives Vaccination in local jails, state prisons, and federal detention centers are voluntary for staff and incarcerated people. California has led the charge, with 12,810 people in state prisons and local jails having received the first dose of the vaccine. And some states are creating incentives for prisoners and staff to inoculate and educate themselves.

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Virginia inmates in state-run prisons are being offered free credits for communicating via email and telephone, as well as a care package filled with commissary items, in exchange for receiving the Moderna vaccine. More than 4,300 vaccines have been given to those held in jails and prisons and correctional staff in Massachusetts since midJanuary. The Department of Corrections was going to offer similar incentives: a week in "good time" credits off their sentences in exchange for taking both doses of the shot and reading and watching educational materials about the Moderna vaccine, according to WBUR News.

Unfortunately, that has since been rescinded, after the Baker administration said the memorandum wasn’t consistent with its policies regarding reduced prison terms. Meanwhile, more than half of the employees in the Massachusetts Department of Correction have declined the state’s offer to get the COVID-19 vaccine at work.

Concerns cited by many include misinformation, distrust of vaccinations, and questions about safety and effectiveness. Similar issues with staff have been seen in states like Iowa.

The Backlash The general tone of the backlash is nothing new; inmates have committed crimes, and therefore do not deserve to be treated like human beings.

Some people have complained about inmates taking any kind of priority for inoculation, especially in areas with long wait times and dosage shortages for the free public. Others have complained about “line-cutting,” perceiving prisoners to be moving ahead of people they consider more deserving or in need. In states like Colorado and Vermont, priority designations for the incarcerated have been all but scrubbed from vaccination plans, following an outcry from conservative commentators.

But while the general drive is to vaccinate the elderly first - and only 2.8% of the American prison population is above the age of 65 - people like Dr Charles Lee, president-elect of the American College of Correctional Physicians (ACCP), have said inmates should be considered high risk as well, regardless of age. “People who are incarcerated have physiological and medical ages that are 15 years greater than those in the free world,” he said.

The CDC has corroborated this in its guidelines. “Jurisdictions are encouraged to vaccinate staff and incarcerated/detained persons of correctional or detention facilities at the same time because of their shared increased risk of disease...Incarcerated or detained persons living in correctional and detention facilities may also be older or have high-risk medical conditions that place them at higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19.”

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Become your Own Health Care Advocate

by Ericka Foster I decided to write this from first person because just like you, I have a personal stake in this information.

Even though I’m fortunate enough to have decent health insurance, and I’m in pretty decent health, I’ve had more than one occasions where the health care establishment has let me down.

Even Serena Williams reportedly had issues with the medical establishment taking them seriously during childbirth. If they’re not believing someone with money and fame, the rest of us better have ALL our ducks in a row.

There are books on the flaws of the health care system, so I’m going to give you a simplified overview.

Physicians make more money based on the number of patients that they see. So they are always trying to find the happy medium between seeing the most patients while being able to accurately make diagnoses.

Source: Australian Open 2015 Author: Tourism Victoria from Australia

Your doctor has less time to get to know you, to know your history, and to hear and interpret what you are saying.

Be prepared When you walk into your appointment, you want to be clear about what is going on: 1) Keep a journal of your symptoms. That means you won’t have to guess how long your problem has been going on. Your physician will trust your information if you’ve been keeping a record.

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2) If you can, try to build a relationship with your physician. I know that we can’t always do that – there may be a different doctor every time you go to the place that is most convenient for you. But don’t think it doesn’t matter who you see. It can make a difference. Let’s say you see a doctor for the flu, and during your visit, you mention that you are having trouble sleeping. When you see that physician for a second time, they can ask about your sleeplessness. And they may be able to connect it to any other symptoms that you are complaining about.

3) Google at your own risk. We all know how unreliable Dr. Google can be. It can send you down a rabbit hole of misinformation and fear. However, googling can give you an idea of how urgent your symptoms are. For me, that can help me decide whether I need to come in at a 10, or if I can afford to be more patient.

Pro-tip: If you google your symptoms, make sure you are getting your information from a hospital website or medical care facility.

In 2005, National Academy of Medicine (NAM) found that “racial and ethnic minorities receive lower-quality health care than white people—even when insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are comparable.”

Health care professionals make assumptions based on your weight, your ability to pay, your age, your gender (and gender identity), as well as your race.

Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women – and this disparity increases with age, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Ask for help Whether you have an easy diagnosis, or a complicated one, it is hard to process the information, the instructions, the follow up, ALL at the same time. Having a trusted friend or loved one can ease some of the stress of having to process it all and be your advocate at the same time.

Even if your friend isn’t a medical expert, they can support you, ask questions, and interact with the medical staff on your behalf.

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Many hospitals have patient care advocates that can help patients navigate the health care system. You can visit the patient advocate if you have a complaint. Additionally, they may be able to help coordinate services or equipment.

Get a copy of your health records You should be able to obtain a copy of your medical records for free.

Keeping a copy on hand will help you provide information to each physician that you visit. You can keep them electronically.

Patient care advocates are paid by the hospital and are free for patients. However, the advocate ultimately represents the hospital, and that may present a conflict of interest. Additionally, depending on your complaint, you may not want the hospital as an adversary while you are trying at the same time to get the best medical care. Any medical professional reading this will say that they wouldn’t let grudges get in the way (and there must be procedures for treating patients who have filed complaints). It is all dependent on the nature of the complaint, the nature of the illness, and the personalities of the parties involved. After all, doctors are human just like us.

Private advocates do exist, but they are not usually covered by insurance or Medicaid.

Get a second opinion A few years ago, during my annual physical, my physician recommended that I start taking a thyroid medication. Taking a thyroid medication is a continuous situation, and screwing with my natural body chemistry isn’t a snap decision that I want to make without thought. I wanted to go home, process the information (that means Google some stuff) before I moved forward.

I eventually decided to get a second opinion from a specialist, who wasn’t able to confirm that there was anything wrong with my thyroid. I’ve had my thyroid checked annually since that diagnosis, and each time my hormones have fallen within the normal range. Getting a second opinion saved me a lot of trouble (and money).

It hurts to pay twice for the same medical condition. It doesn’t make sense for all conditions, but you will want to weigh the consequence of an incorrect diagnosis

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against the price of a second opinion. If you need major surgery or a lifetime of medication, paying for a second opinion is a small price to pay if the diagnoses turns out to be incorrect.

If you are insured, you should check to see if a second opinion is covered. They should also be able to explain the process that they require to cover a second opinion visit.

Paying for your visit Lots of health care costs are negotiable. When you make your appointment, you can explain that you are paying out of pocket and ask if there are any discounts for out of pocket payers. You can also ask about payment plans ahead of time.

Once you make a payment plan, stick to it.

Once you’ve negotiated payment, don’t forget to examine your bill. There are statistics on how many billing mistakes hospitals make. Regardless, it’s your money, you are allowed to ask questions to find out what you are paying for.

After you get sick, you have to make your appointment, keep a journal of your symptoms, ask questions of your doctor, establish trust with your physician, research your diagnosis, get a second appointment if necessary, and then negotiate your payment and make sure you aren’t overcharged. WHEW! That’s exhausting.

There are only a few things that are worth that kind of effort. Your health and your money are two of those things.

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