Social Determinants of Health
Panel enmerates the policy and challenges of housing insecurity in the new normal for the market April, 2023
This year’s panel was highlighted by discussion of a new market to navigate for families, particularly with soaring rents and housing prices. Maurice Stewart, Director of Education with Housing Opportunities Made Equal Cincinnati, described the need for awareness of policy for tenet advocacy. Peg Dierkers, CEO of Bethany House Services returned to share the various resources available for families in transition. Anne Feczko, NP from the Cincinnati Health Network, serving the region’s most vulnerable populations also returned to talk about challenges in care.
Learn more about the history and current state of housing and health, and how to advocate in your community below.
Books
Evicted by Matthew Desmond
Poverty by America by Matthew Desmond
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
Video
Segregated by Design video: https://vimeo.com/500946501
Simulations
Bridges Out of Poverty (ongoing training sessions throughout Ohio)
SVdP poverty simulation: https://www.svdpcincinnati.org/retreats-service-learning/programs-offerings-retreats/simulations-and-workshops/
Resources
HOME phone number: (513) 721-4663; more resources about tenants’ rights on their website: https://homecincy.org
Central Access Point (CAP line) - when called, tells caller which shelters have openings: 513-381-SAFE (7233)
ENgaging communities in food access programs, and how those programs are trying to keep up January 2023
COVID will remain a societal benchmark, and the acute impact on non-profit community service organizations is certainly being felt. Andy Brunsman, executive director of Be Concerned, a food distribution agency, joined the discussion to report how everything from donation streams to food costs to new segments of populations in need have stressed and forced agencies to adapt. Gary Dangel of the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation described the work he is doing in community gardens, and how that is helping introduce a new appreciation for the work involved in a garden and the food it produces in the Walnut Hills community.
despite the pandemic receding, new and continuing challenges persist in housing April, 2022
The fellows were joined by returning community guest speakers for a discussion on returning and emerging issues for those most vulnerable in regards to housing for themselves and for families. Alona Ballard, Education Outreach Manager with Housing Opportunities Made Equal Cincinnati, returned to the panel to reiterate the importance of advocacy of tenant rights. Peg Dierkers, CEO of Bethany House Services also rejoined the panel to discuss the status of services and the needs of families. Hilja Ruegg, MD, a fellow graduate and provider at Healthcare for the Homeless as part of the Cincinnati Health Network, serving the region’s most vulnerable populations also returned to talk about challenges in care.
the challenges and opportunities of food access during covid March, 2022
Though COVID-19 continues its downward trend as a pandemic, the resulting logistical disruptions have rippled through our food supply chain causing disruptions to access and expenses, including the programs that serve those in need. To discuss the work necessary to continue to support communities, the fellowship welcomed back Eric Zacarias, manager of Student Dining Services with Cincinnati Public Schools, and Heather Warner of the GoPacks program in Washington County, Ohio. They were joined by University of Cincinnati Department of Family and Community Medicine professor Anna Goroncy, MD to talk about the work she is doing to curb the impact of an urban food desert and how she is teaching a generation of future providers to engage the community they serve.
Guest panelists discuss the challenges of care for those within and coming out of the justice system December, 2021
The fellows and faculty were joined by Molly McHenry, FNP AAHIV and Brad McMonigle, BS to discuss the barriers resources to navigating care within the justice system and post-incarceration. McHenry serves those within the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center as well as at the Transgender Clinic, highlighting the need for providers, parents, and guardians to listen to adolescents already managing a great deal of change in addition to social environments that may impact their health and development. McMonigle serves as Talbert House’s Chief Clinical Officer and detailed the oft times complex network of services that those in need and their providers might not always locate. Please note, this discussion contains material that may be sensitive and not suitable for some audiences.
Aligning efforts in housing and serving those experiencing homelessness April, 2021
Fellows were joined by a panel of those representing several aspects and perspectives on mitigating health risks, securing lawful accommodations, and sheltering those experiencing homelessness. Alona Ballard is a Education Outreach Manager with Housing Opportunities Made Equal Cincinnati. Peg Dierkers is the Chief Operating Officer of Bethany House Services. Anne Feczko, NP is a provider at Healthcare for the Homeless as part of the Cincinnati Health Network, serving the region’s most vulnerable populations.
Food insecurity and the programs determined to make sure families have enough to eat March, 2021
Fellows discussed the many risk factors for families that may experience hunger with panelists from two programs that are building protective factors for these families. COVID-19 has presented unique challenges to food access, as well as funding for programs that feed the community and teach independent living skills to increase and sustain healthy eating. The discussion describes several strategies that have successfully navigated the many changes to our social and economic landscape. The panel included Eric Zacarias is the manager of Student Dining Services with Cincinnati Public Schools and Heather Warner of the GoPacks program in Washington County, Ohio.
Fellows discuss strategies and good practices in care for patients with a history of incarceration December, 2020
Fellows, faculty, and panelists met in an online forum to discuss experiences with patient care of those with a history of incarceration and how early trauma can impact the mental and behavioral health trajectory through the lifespan. Lisa Johnson, MD described her journey as a provider in the juvenile justice system to the level of administrative leadership and how adolescents often fall through the gaps in care. Kate Doyle, PhD, BCBA-D, visiting professor at the University of Cincinnati, revisited the panel to detail some strategies in addressing behaviors for successful navigation rather than punitive measures such as suspension that can sometimes add stress to families. Please note, this discussion contains material that may be sensitive and not suitable for some audiences.
Panel describes circumstances for those experiencing homelessness and current resources & legislation that can offer help April, 2020
The community discussion panel moved to an online platform in the wake of the current pandemic. Fellows and panelists discussed the persistent barriers to reliable housing from the local to federal levels, and how COVID-19 is providing a barometer of social services and public health strategies for the current crisis and in the future. Alona Ballard is a Education Outreach Manager with Housing Opportunities Made Equal Cincinnati. Ben Green is currently a board member with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which helps local families connect with housing. Hilja Ruegg is a dual boarded family medicine provider and psychiatrist at Healthcare for the Homeless as part of the Cincinnati Health Network, serving the region’s most vulnerable populations.
fellows discuss food insecurity and models to curb hunger within diverse populations in our communities February, 2020
Fellows were joined by community experts for a thorough discussion on the many community models planned and currently implemented in an effort to mitigate hunger among our most vulnerable community members. Gary Dangel is leader with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, who have partnered with The Christ Hospital/ University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Residency in part explore in-house solutions to the neighborhood’s food desert, including cooking classes and growing produce locally. Eric Zacarias is the manager of Student Dining Services with Cincinnati Public Schools, implementing several successful strategies to increase students’ nutritious food consumption within the city’s schools. Andy Brunsman is the executive director of Be Concerned, Inc. and has spearheaded efforts to introduce a food pantry to serve students at Mount St. Joseph University.
panel reconvenes to explore how race, incarceration, and intergenerational school and care experiences intersect in health outcomes December, 2019
Fellows, faculty, and panelists discussed the pervasiveness of race as a variable in interactions between patients and providers, schools, and the prison system. The group revealed some of their own challenges and strategies for developing relationships critical to building necessary trust with their communities and how intentions in care are not always effectively communicated. Kate Doyle, PhD, BCBA-D, visiting professor at the University of Cincinnati, again joined the discussion from the perspective of an educator and how teachers can be prepared to manage behaviors and where training can be optimized. Dave Karol, PhD, MA, from the University of Cincinnati Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience and Internal Medicine, regaled his experiences as a physician in a prison system, highlighting aspects of care for the incarcerated and recently released populations.
the pervasiveness of homelessness is one of the centerpieces of impact on daily life for families, students, and our underserved populations April, 2019
The fellows and faculty invited three guest speakers on the front lines of homelessness to discuss the various forms it can take, what it means for health, and who is impacted across demographics. Keith Lanser, MA, who is the Manager of Service Learning & Civic Engagement at Mt. St. Joseph University, joined to provide his perspective on housing stability and the college student population. Peg Dierkers from the Bethany House regaled the trends in homelessness regionally, and the variability in experiences and stories that the data can’t always tell. Joe Kiesler, MD also shared how healthcare is being delivered to the population experiencing homelessness in the Cincinnati area.
an exploration of how food insecurity manifests in schools and how a community brought a grocery store to their neighborhood february, 2019
This month’s discussion featured Eric Zacarias, Food Marketing Manager for Cincinnati Public Schools and Mark Irey, a community member who drew from his background in finance to assist in the opening of a food co-op grocery store in what had become a food desert. The group found concerning trends in regular, reliable access to food. However, many innovations in healthy eating programming are becoming integrated into schools where nutrition may have not been previously prioritized. Also, when faced with few options offered by larger corporate conglomerates, many communities have taken matters into their own hands, as discussed in the model a Cincinnati neighborhood utilized to bring a full service grocery store back
Panel discusses the power and prevalence of incarceration from schools to prison health care December, 2018
This Learning Forum month featured a riveting discussion regarding the prison system in the United States. The group focused conversations on how schools can create pipelines to incarceration, what health care looks like for someone who is incarcerated, and what life might look like after being released from prison. The panel included David Singleton, JD, Director of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, which provides free legal services for those released and looking to overcome barriers created with having a criminal record and those currently incarcerated and face denials of basic human rights. David Karol, MD MA from the University of Cincinnati Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience and Internal Medicine offers his insights from experiences as a prison health care provider. Kate Doyle, PhD BCBA-D, Director of the Graduate Special Education Program at Mt. St. Joseph University, regales how the way mental health in primary and secondary schools is currently addressed with often limited resources may impact the direction of students toward greater risk rather than appropriate care. Please note, this discussion contains material that may be sensitive and not suitable for some audiences.