Self-Paced Breakouts

CHWs play an important role in dental health care teams. Oral health is many times seen as a low priority in the lives of patients in our health care system, which can lead to serious health consequences. CHWs are uniquely positioned to teach, integrate, and empower patients to help them self-manage their whole health. CHWs respond to patients’ lack of understanding about specialty care, experiences with fear about dental procedures, and lack of emphasis on dental care compared to primary care, especially in the context of social and structural complexities. Furthermore, cultural considerations are important to address in individual and familial behaviors related to oral health care.

Speaker(s): LaReecia Carter, B.S., CHW-C

Contact Information: lcarter@fchcstl.org, (314) 353-5190 ext 3410

CHWs are often the bridge between the individuals and families they serve and health care and social service systems whether that is through a CHW sharing the same language or similar life experiences. The trusted relationship CHWs naturally develop with those they serve in a variety of systems may set the stage for a more effective are plan and follow through. The CHWs assessment of an individual’s readiness for change and subsequent connection to best-fit resources that match stage of readiness is an approach to maximize and spread across systems. Bridging the gap between experiences is key to better serving individuals and families who are so many times misunderstood or lack trust of systems that have historically failed them.

Speaker(s): Jill Taylor; Vashon Brown; LaReecia Carter; Melina Korajkic; Jan Pappas; Victoria Villarreal; Kayla Bouchey, Family Care Health Centers

Contact Information: See last slide in presentation.

People with low health literacy skills struggle to access, understand and act on quality health information. Low health literacy can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, errors in following health guidance, poor health outcomes and increased medical care costs. Low health literacy doesn’t just affect people with lower reading levels-anyone’s health literacy skills can be low at any given time. This session will provide a basic overview of health literacy universal precautions-tools and techniques that should be used with everyone, in order to ensure the fair opportunity to access, understand and act on health information. Attendees will learn how to use plain language, clear communication and teach back tools to increase their health literacy friendliness and improve client understanding.

Speaker(s): Jaci McReynolds

Contact Information: DeltaMO.org

A brief update about the mission and strategic initiatives of the Missouri Foundation for Health, after which, Ryan provides an overview on the different aspects of public policy (the general rules that govern our lives), how policy is created, and the importance of advocacy - how YOU can influence policy.

Speaker(s): M. Ryan Barker, MSW, MPPA

Contact Information: rbarker@mffh.org, (314) 345-5510

The St. Louis CHW Coalition has successfully organized and launched in the region. The process has come with many challenges and many rewards. As CHW leaders we have a desire to share lessons learned with peers. This process has revealed that for the CHW workforce especially, it’s important to build leaders from within. Finally, the presenters will hold a facilitated discussion around themes relevant to the workforce (i.e. outreach vs. engagement) to generate interaction. This session will leave participants feeling empowered and prepared to take their next step towards change.

Speaker(s): Phillip Brooks, CCHW; LaKisha Redditt, BS, CCHW

Contact Information: Phillip - pbrooks@StLouisihn.org (314) 565-1412

LaKisha - vbdoulaservices@gmail.com, (314) 679-0902

FB: VirtuouslyBEarthedDoula

IG: virtuously_beartheddoula17

web: www.virtuouslybearthed.com

Building resilience can take time but is not impossible. Through the 3 step process of TIE, you can help not just one person, but a whole community find their voice.

Speaker(s): Kathy Mason, CHW-C

Contact Information: KDMason@freemanhealth.com, (417) 347-8463

Community Pharmacists are frontline healthcare professionals who deal daily with patient access to care issues. CHWs are uniquely suited by training and temperament to positively affect patient social determinants of health. Come hear how CHWs, working within the pharmacy environment can address access to care issues, positively affect patient health outcomes, and save healthcare system dollars.

Speaker(s): Richard Logan, Jr., PharmD

Contact Information: rlogan@semorx.com

ParentLink, in the College of Education at the University of Missouri, is a resource center for parents and anyone working with parents for parenting questions, providing information, problem-solving support, and research-based information. ParentLink services are statewide with programming in the Bootheel focusing on helping to improve parents’ access to resources.

Speaker(s): Christina Torbet, MA; Freda Kershaw, MPH; Angie Nickel, MS; Teltia Atkins, BS; Jennifer Sheridan, BS; Yvette Chambers, BS

Contact Information: 1800-552-8522, Parentlink.missouri.edu

There are 5.8 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States and this is projected to grow to 14 million by 2050. Over 16 million Americans provided unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The crisis of Alzheimer’s is not only the rising number of people affected by this disease but also the disconnect between providers and older adults when it comes to discussing concerns around memory loss and related psychosocial needs. Despite the vast majority of healthcare providers and older adults believing cognitive assessments are important, less than 50% of physicians have this in their standard protocol and only 40% of those with memory loss concerns have that with their physician. This directly impacts early detection and diagnosis, as well as the ability for these families to access key community resources. This presentation will provide CHWs with the needed knowledge and tools for this important work.

Speaker(s): Sarah Lovegreen, MPH, MCHS

Contact Information: SLLovegreen@alz.org, (314) 801-0449

Missourians’ well-being depends on the smooth operation of a fully functioning public health system. Like a complex machine, when all the parts work smoothly together, the public health system can effectively impact health for Missourians. However, when resources are strained and demands for service overload the system, gears grind to a stop. Health and quality of life drop and people suffer. Every ‘gear’ must perform well for the entire system to function. CHWs play an important role in assuring the public health system operates at peak performance. Learn about your unique role and discover ways you can build resilience within Missouri’s public health system in order to empower Missourians to make healthier choices, create thriving communities and achieve a healthier Missouri.

Speaker(s): Casey Parnell, MPH, MPA

Contact Information: cparnell@healthiermo.org, (417) 331-1323

In this session, you will be introduced to a small non-profit organization making a BIG impact in Southwest Missouri. Patricia and Kimberly will share the unique role and benefits that Community Based Doulas have in the lives of pregnant and postpartum women. You will learn what programs have been successful and how to build partnerships within your community to better support at-risk expectant families.

Speaker(s): Crystal Perkins, CHW; Kimberly Costello, CEO Doula Foundation

Contact Information: info@DoulaFoundation.org, (417) 832-9222