Lake County News,California

Health

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 06 June 2023 00:25; 06 June 2023

Free job training and incentives now available for California caregivers

To continue to build California’s health care workforce, the California Department of Aging, or CDA, is announcing the launch of the CalGrows workforce training and development program.

CalGrows is now open for registration with hundreds of courses available to caregivers working with older adults and adults with disabilities, helping support Californians on a path to a career in health care and ensuring the state retains highly-qualified health care workers.

“Investing in and growing our health care workforce is critical to the health and safety of Californians,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “As the entire United States faces a health care worker shortage, the CalGrows initiative is yet another tool California is using to ensure our health care workforce remains strong by providing opportunities to those already caring for loved ones.”

CalGrows is grounded in the recognition that direct care jobs can be a gateway into a variety of personal and professional advancement opportunities.

The innovative program brings together dozens of training providers offering hundreds of virtual and in-person courses for caregivers across California.

Courses cover a range of topics, including Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, cultural diversity, food safety, infection control, provider, and consumer communication and more, with courses available in multiple languages.

“CalGrows training courses empower caregivers across California to learn valuable skills to improve the lives of those in their care and help further their careers,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging. “As California’s population ages, we’ll need hundreds of thousands more direct care workers. The CalGrows program is an important milestone toward ensuring the state has the home care aides, care managers, dementia care specialists, activities coordinators, and other important roles necessary to support our aging population.”

“Care workers are more likely to be women and people of color, who are also at a higher risk for age-related illnesses,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency. “CalGrows demonstrates the State’s commitment to support caregivers, as well as those they care for, by providing training in six languages at launch, with more added soon, as well as career growth opportunities. This program is essential to help California achieve our goals in the Master Plan for Aging: to build a California for all ages and abilities.”

CalGrows can help build individual skill sets, job satisfaction, and growth opportunities to help further careers and the retention of skilled, experienced caregivers for older adults and people with disabilities.

Qualified applicants can also receive up to $6,000 in financial incentives.

Free training for paid direct care workers, home and community-based services caregivers, and unpaid family and friend caregivers is available through the CalGrows website at www.calgrows.org.

Most courses are available online, with others offered in person and are searchable by topic, location, language, and incentive.

Caregivers in the paid direct care workforce are also eligible for financial incentives and career pathway development benefits.

Through the CalGrows Innovation Fund grants launched earlier this year, $89 million was awarded to 78 organizations across California.

Grants were awarded to diverse organizations with innovative ideas to offer training and incentives for the direct care Home and Community-Based Services workforce and unpaid family and friend caregivers.

For self-directed care workers through In Home Supportive Services, optional training and compensations for training time are available through IHSS Career Pathways.

The Workforce for a Healthy California Initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to build a health workforce that represents California’s diverse communities and provides people with the quality care they deserve, while addressing the growing workforce shortages throughout the state’s health and human services system.

The cornerstone of the Initiative comes from a once-in-a-generation, $1 billion plus investment from the 2022-23 state budget.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 09 May 2023 02:48; 09 May 2023

E Center WIC becomes first Blue Zones Project approved worksite in Lake County

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Blue Zones Project – Lake County announced that E Center WIC is the first organization in Lake County that has achieved designation as Blue Zones Project Approved.

E Center WIC believes that good nutrition is the foundation for good health and strives to provide families with the inspiration and skills needed to succeed at being healthy, active, and creating positive habits.

WIC offers nutrition education and counseling, provides nutritious foods, and makes referrals to healthcare and other community resources as needed.

“Throughout the process of becoming an approved Blue Zones Worksite we have found opportunities to focus efforts inward to our staff,” says Kim Schott, program director. “We recognize that in order to invest in others, we must invest in ourselves. By implementing small changes on a daily basis, we are noticing improved morale. We know this can only lead to improved service to our community.”

To become Blue Zones Project Approved, the organization worked with the local Blue Zones Project team to identify best practices for health and well-being they were already implementing.

Additionally, they identified new practices to embrace, such as mapping two different walking routes for staff to utilize during work breaks, creating a health brand to support staff and clients, and forming a Well Being Committee to discuss Blue Zones Project progress at each staff meeting.

On March 29, the local Blue Zones Project team and Nick Buettner, vice president of community engagement for Blue Zones, celebrated the approval process with the E Center WIC team.

“E Center WIC is a true community leader. They’ve built off the good work they are already doing for our community to ensure that they make healthy choices easier and more accessible for their staff, too. As the first approved Blue Zones Project – Lake County Worksite, they are leading the way for our county to become a fully certified Blue Zones Project in July 2026,” said Blue Zones Project – Lake County Executive Director Jamey Gill.

Brought to Lake County through an innovative sponsorship by Adventist Health and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project is a community-by-community well-being improvement initiative designed to enable community members to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic diseases and a higher quality of life.

To learn more about becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurant, organization, or worksite, contact the Blue Zones Project team in Lake County at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.lc.bluezonesproject.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 28 January 2023 23:05; 28 January 2023

Adventist Health Clear Lake opens Rapid Care clinic in Clearlake

**The ribbon cutting at the new Rapid Care clinic in Clearlake, California.**

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital announced the opening of its new Rapid Care clinic on Jan. 9.

Located at 15230 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 101 in Clearlake, hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Rapid Care will provide walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, treating patients 60 days and older.

Services include treatment for:

• Allergic reactions;
• Animal and bug bites;
• Body and muscle aches;
• Bronchitis, sore throat, respiratory infections;
• Cold and flu symptoms;
• Coughing and wheezing;
• Cuts and lacerations;
• Diarrhea;
• Ear/Eye infections;
• Fever;
• Falls and sprains;
• Headaches;
• Minor cuts and burns;
• Minor trauma;
• Pain and swelling in extremities;
• Rashes and itching;
• Sinus infections;
• Urinary tract infections;
• Onsite testing for strep, pregnancy, blood sugar, urinalysis.

“Adventist Health is excited and proud to be the first to establish Rapid Care services for our community,” said Colleen Assavapisitkul, president of Adventist Health Clear Lake. “We heard the voices of our neighbors asking for timely access to care when needed most.”

Patients requiring immediate medical care can visit the Rapid Care clinic without an appointment.

Staffed with quality healthcare providers with extensive experience, the Adventist Health Clear Lake Rapid Care team can assess and treat minor illnesses, injuries, and emergencies.

With the addition of Rapid Care services in Lake County, immediate medical care has never been more convenient.

Whatever the medical need, patients have direct access to exceptional care through Adventist Health Clear Lake’s emergency department, clinics, and rapid care services.

For more information about Adventist Health Clear Lake’s Rapid Care, visit www.AdventistHealthClearLake.org/ClearLakeRapidCare.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 19 May 2023 00:56; 19 May 2023

Pacific Union College and Adventist Health expand nursing program to Lake and Mendocino counties

Pacific Union College and Adventist Health have announced a new partnership to better serve rural communities in Central and Northern California, including in Lake and Mendocino counties.

This collaboration will further the college's goals of growing its nursing program and help meet the rising need for highly qualified healthcare professionals in these areas.

“Partnering with nursing schools is the best way for hospitals to ensure there is a pipeline for recruitment of nurses,” said PUC Department of Nursing Chair Kimberly Dunker. “Because of the long-standing history between our Adventist organizations, we are able to not only partner but share the same values and beliefs for nursing education and talent acquisition.”

The Associate of Science in Nursing, or ASN, program will be open to Adventist Health employees and community members in the local areas of Lake and Mendocino counties looking to move into the nursing field. Classes will begin in September.

Judson Howe, president of the North Coast Network for Adventist Health, said creating a local nursing workforce is one of the organization’s top priorities.

“The nursing program at Pacific Union College creates an additional avenue for our community members to receive a world-class registered nursing education,” Howe said. “Adventist Health North Coast Network will continue to support the excellent nursing programs across our counties, including Mendocino College and looks forward to expanding professional pathways for premier clinical education, allowing local rural healthcare to thrive.”

The California Board of Registered Nurses, or BRN, and the Education Licensing Committee, or ELC, approved the addition of 18 students to the Angwin campus with clinical partners in rural areas like Mendocino and Lake counties.

This hard-won achievement is the result of a two-year collaborative effort by PUC and Adventist Health to establish new nursing education centers in underserved areas. California will need the most nurses in the nation by 2030.

Still, nursing programs in the state typically find it challenging to receive permission to admit more students due to limited clinical space in hospitals. Sometimes, qualified students may wait up to three years for admission to nursing programs.

PUC has a sterling reputation as a well-established, high-quality nursing program — lauded by the state nursing board in its evaluation last spring. The program also boasts excellent NCLEX outcomes. Nursing professors from PUC’s Angwin campus will lead the program’s instruction. The program will also utilize the Adventist Health training facilities in the Adventist Health North Coast Network for most of the skills lab instruction. Sites in these counties include Clear Lake, Ukiah Valley, Howard Memorial (Willits), and Mendocino Coast (Fort Bragg).

PUC Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communication Gene Edelbach also said the partnership has been rewarding. “It's been exciting to partner with Adventist Health over the last few years in developing new educational products that truly meet the needs of our underserved communities,” Edelbach said.

Jill Bartolomie, Patient Care Executive for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, said this collaboration will be meaningful to both Adventist Health employees and students from the local community.

“The program will allow them to fulfill their dreams faster and get to working as an RN without continually delaying their education,” she said. “It allows them to work full time and continue to support themselves and their family while they are in school because this is a flexible, hybrid program.”

Prospective students for this program must meet the admission criteria outlined by the college and the nursing program. The criteria include completion of specific courses, GPA, and testing requirements. More information can be found on the website, puc.edu/nursing-requirements. Students will be expected to meet the criteria to ensure their access and completion of the program.

With the new program, there is a clear path from becoming a Medical Assistant (MA) to receiving a Master of Science in Nursing. For example, students can achieve their MA through programs offered at AH locations, their ASN at the Adventist Health sites in Lake and Mendocino counties and earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing through PUC’s online programs. This opportunity provides students with a robust educational experience while remaining close to their families and local communities.

Preferred pricing for Adventist Health employees will make the overall cost much less than a PUC on-campus program. Additionally, the admissions process will be individualized, with a dedicated personal advisor for each student.

In 2021, PUC embarked on a vision for the future, focusing on four main pillars—including the addition of online programs and education centers. The Angwin campus is the heart of PUC, while the vision plan states that education centers are the “arms and the legs that put us in motion in communities where we are most needed.”

To learn more about this new ASN program opportunity or apply, please visit https://www.puc.edu/adventist-health.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 25 April 2023 01:28; 25 April 2023

Low Vision Resource Group meets April 27

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Low Vision Resource Group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, April 27.

The group will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St.

As we age, we may need to adjust to changes in our eyesight.

Vision Rehabilitation Educator Patricia Jefferson of the Earle Baum Center of the Blind will give group members tools to help with these changes.

Attendees will have a chance to share their concerns.

This event is funded through a Lake County Behavioral Health MHSA Mini Grant Program.

: Covered California; Posted On Wednesday, 28 December 2022 02:02; 28 December 2022

Covered California’s first deadline approaches; winter illnesses highlight importance of access to quality health care

With Californians facing the compounding impact of three respiratory illnesses this winter, Covered California is urging the uninsured to sign up for health care coverage before the upcoming Dec. 31 deadline.

Coverage provides access to quality care and protection from unforeseen medical costs, and Covered California is where people can get financial help to lower the cost of their health insurance.

Californians need to sign up before the end of the year in order to have their coverage be effective on Jan. 1.

“Everyone deserves the protection and peace of mind that come with having high-quality, affordable health insurance, and Covered California is urging everyone who needs coverage to check out their options and sign up before the end of the year,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “Once again — whether it is COVID, the flu, RSV or other illnesses — access to health care coverage is essential for every Californian to stay healthy and safe.”

What you need to know

Since the start of the pandemic, California’s health officials have been concerned that COVID-19 and influenza cases may peak at the same time. In addition to those two illnesses, California is also seeing a rise in the number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, which can hit younger children especially hard.

“We have seen dramatic increases in COVID-19, the flu and RSV, reminding us once again of the importance of our health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services secretary and Covered California board chair. “Californians have just a few days left to sign up for a comprehensive health care coverage plan through Covered California that will protect themselves and their family starting on Jan. 1.”

Californians who sign up by Dec. 31 and pay their first bill will have their health insurance take effect on Jan. 1. Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, but coverage will not begin until Feb. 1 if a consumer signs up in January.

Significant savings for more than one million uninsured Californians

An estimated one million Californians do not have health insurance and are eligible for financial help to bring the cost of coverage within reach. Of that group, at least 55 percent — or about 568,000 people — could get quality coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal at no cost.

Right now, 90% of Covered California’s enrollees qualify for the increased financial help available through the Inflation Reduction Act. As a result, two-thirds of Covered California’s consumers are eligible for comprehensive health insurance at a cost of $10 or less per month.

“Regardless of your income, if you need health insurance or even if you’re covered directly through a health insurance company, come to Covered California to see if you can get financial help to make your coverage more affordable,” Altman said.

Under the expanded financial help now available, a 21-year-old in Los Angeles who earns $27,000 a year could get a quality Silver 87 plan — which features low copays and deductibles — for $36 a month. Or they could get a Bronze plan at no cost.

A couple in Oakland earning $45,775 a year could save nearly $700 a month off the cost of their Silver 73 plan, or get a comprehensive Bronze plan at no cost.

Finally, a Sacramento couple earning $83,250 a year could save more than $16,000 a year on quality coverage for themselves and their two children, or they could get a Bronze plan for $67 per month.

New opportunity for 400,000 Californians to enroll in more-affordable coverage

A new rule that went into effect just this month will help 391,000 Californians get access to more-affordable coverage if they have a family member with an offer of employer-sponsored insurance, or ESI.

Previously, these families were ineligible for federal subsidies, and they were forced to either spend a significant amount of their income on health insurance premiums or go uninsured. Now they are eligible for financial help through Covered California that will lower the cost of their coverage.

The example below depicts a family of four with an annual household income of $50,000 who pays $800 a month for their coverage, or nearly 20 percent of their income.

The new rule takes the affordability threshold (9.12 percent in 2023), which had previously been applied only to the employee, and now extends it to the entire family. In this case, while the cost of the employee’s coverage is below the threshold, the cost to cover the family is no longer considered affordable. As a result, the employee’s spouse and children are now eligible for financial help and would save $425 a month — or $5,100 a year — by enrolling in a Covered California plan.

“The new rule means that families that were either forced to spend a significant amount of their income to be a part of their loved one’s health plan, or go uninsured, can now get more-affordable coverage through Covered California,” Altman said.

In order to determine whether Californians can benefit from the new rule, Covered California unveiled a new affordability tool and worksheet earlier this month, which can help people see if they or their family members qualify for financial help. The affordability tool and worksheet are also available in Spanish.

In addition to the tool, consumers can also contact an agent or certified enroller, visit our support page or use Covered California’s Help on Demand service to have an enroller contact them within 15 minutes.

Health

Free job training and incentives now available for California caregivers

E Center WIC becomes first Blue Zones Project approved worksite in Lake County

Adventist Health Clear Lake opens Rapid Care clinic in Clearlake

Pacific Union College and Adventist Health expand nursing program to Lake and Mendocino counties

Low Vision Resource Group meets April 27

Covered California’s first deadline approaches; winter illnesses highlight importance of access to quality health care

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