Challenge Meets Unity: Lauren Taylor

NFHC AmeriCorps members, Lauren Taylor,

Tara Fredenburgh, and Han Lee, climbing

up the Alpine Tower at the First Coast YMCA.

“Ok, deep breath,” you tell yourself as you are hanging nearly 40 feet in the air trying to figure out how to jump from a cargo net blowing in the wind to a neighboring  wooden post. Realizing this post is almost 3 feet away and you can only comfortably reach out 2 feet, you instantly go into an acrophobic panic. Suddenly, from somewhere seemingly miles beneath you, you hear a voice say, “It’s ok! You can do this, keep going!”  Almost instantly, you muster up enough courage to swing yourself and make the leap to the post! You continue the 10 foot climb and finally reaching the top, you are able to look down upon everyone who cheered you on along the way. For my first time tackling the “Alpine Tower” at the First Coast YMCA, that was my story. The purpose of this activity on Day 3 of Pre-Service Orientation was to further foster ideals of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. For me, I was frightened, out of breath, and my muscles were fatigued (it might have been because I was out of shape), but my fellow North Florida Health Corps (NFHC), AmeriCorps members pushed me 50 feet towards the sky with their words alone.

When I first decided to apply to the NFHC, I never thought I would be inheriting a family of sorts. One would typically think the first week (of a three-week training) would be an overwhelming wave of history, program objectives and policies, and cultural competency activities. While these goals were accomplished, it was astounding to me the quickness in which we were able to develop friendships and bonds.



The 2013-2014 NFHC AmeriCorps members showing their fun side!

These bonds, affectionately coined as the “Espirit de Corps” could be likened to the term “Ohana”, which you may have heard referenced in the Disney movie “Lilo and Stitch”, because the NFHC has indeed become an extended family for me. Being involved with people who share a like mind and heart when it comes to service, healthcare, and future aspirations is so refreshing. Although there may be times within our 46-week service term that will make us want to tear our hair out, the camaraderie of the group will undoubtedly help us prevail. I look forward to great memories, lifetime bonds, lessons, and a selfless and satisfying year of service with my NFHC family! J

Training Coalitions 101: Health Education

Lauren H., Ariana, Sam, Anneke, Camille, and Lauren P.

The Health Education Training Coalition is comprised of members who are interested in obtaining more experience and exploring their interest in health education.

"When we first met together as the Health Education training coalition, it was clear that we were all interested in how to make ourselves better health educators, specifically in the maternal/child health field, and in sex education.  For our first training, we attended the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) anti-suicide training, to better understand how to effectively listen to and refer our clients if they had any suicidal thoughts, a training that has come in handy for several of us during our service. We were also able to attend the Peer Preconception Educator training, learning how to educate peers on the importance of being healthy before you get pregnant, and the Teen Health Facilitator training, where we learned how to be effective facilitators in a teen health setting. Three of the members of the coalition were able to go on and facilitate a 4-week comprehensive sex education program as a result of the Teen Health Facilitator training, and gained valuable experience as health educators. Our favorite service project was putting on a skit for the participants of Jacksonville Job Corps at their talent showcase, where we acted as if we were taking a women’s health quiz and gave correct answers to sexual health questions, such as how to correctly use a condom and information about STD’s. The Job Corps participants loved it, and we had a lot of fun as health educators!" -- Ariana Bentz

When asked how the Health Education training coalition helped with her future career goals, Lauren Hudak said "It allowed me the opportunity to see how people can learn valuable information outside of a classroom setting."

Member Spotlight: Krystal Kelly

              





   My name is Krystal Kelly, and I serve as a Physical Activity Educator at YMCA Dye Clay. At the beginning of my service at the YMCA, my goal was to encourage 5% of Clay County youth who are enrolled in YMCA Dye Clay School Age Service after school program to become more physically active, learn about good nutrition, and enhance behavioral skills to reduce obesity & chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. I am achieving my goal through the improvements shown in the Youth Fit for Life fitness testing results and youths’ positive feedbacks on their behavioral medication surveys. The target population for the YMCA Dye Clay Youth Fit for Life Program (YFFL) target population are 5 to 12 years old youth in 26 Clay County YMCA after school programs. YFFL is a physical activity & health behavioral change program, which is delivered at 26 after school sites in Clay County, YMCA, & during School’s Out Camps. I enjoy serving over 1,000 kids from 26 different Clay County schools. I research, develop, and implement health and nutritional activities lesson plans for all 26 sites in YMCA Child Care Sites in Clay County after school programs. I directly deliver the YFFL program three times a week as well. I also conduct YFFL fitness assessments and evaluation of behavioral modifications. Also, after school YMCA site directors deliver the YFFL lesson plan as well. The program consists of cardiovascular exercises 3 times per week in the form of fun and cooperative games. Resistance training such as push-ups, crab crawl, squats, mountain climbers, etc is administered twice per week. I also discuss nutrition topics three times per week prior to physical activities. Youth love playing games such as Sharks & Minnows, Fish Gobbler, Statues, Octopus Tag, Captains Coming, etc.    

My goal is to continue to see improvements in body mass index (BMI), strength, endurance, and body composition. I enjoy serving with youth in Clay County and being a part of the YMCA Dye Clay family. Also, I am very supportive of my youth.  I have seen several of the youth who had little self-confidence or were reluctant to become physically active now adhere to YFFL successfully and develop friendships.  I am excited and joyful to say that all of my kids at all 26 schools adhere to the YFFL program. Our youth are our generation.  I will continue to strive to make a difference in youth lives—even after my service.  

Committees 101: Meet the Professional Development Committee

Committees 101 Series:

The Professional Development Committee!

What does the Professional Development Committee do?

The Professional Development Committee’s role is to further the growth of the corps members through specialized skills and to help be more successful in the professional world. We provide trainings to members in communication skills, cultural competency, managing finances, writing resumes and cover letters, writing personal statements, and career development. We collaborate on ideas and conduct corps-wide surveys to ensure we accommodate the needs of all members. Not only have we fostered the professional growth of the corps, but we have also fostered the growth of each other within the committee through the value of teamwork, individual attributions, communication, and commitment.

What skills have you obtained from serving on your committee?

We have gained many skills including professionalism, effective communication, networking, time management, and event planning

What are your main tasks on your committee?

As a committee member, we are each responsible for trying to foster the professional skills (both hard and soft) to allow members an easier transition into their desired fields of work or study. We try to provide a means for members to navigate their professional interests and expose them to new one.

Professional Development Committee from left to right: Connie Hicks, Kristine Ferrer, John Brice, Sarah Hagerbrant, Alicia Seggelink

      

“Of course! I could not imagine myself in any other committee as I feel this one allows me to encourage the growth of my own professional skills while assisting others to do the same”

          
                                                                         -Alicia Seggelink, on how her committee has been rewarding

        “When we finish a presentation and get to see the end result of our hard work. Also, the freedom to create presentations that not only interest members but also yourself”

                                                                                          -Anoymous member, on what her favorite party about the committe is.

Member Spotlight: Brittany Lomax

Name: Brittany Lomax

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Interesting Fact: My favorite color is ROYGBIV

As a former student of the Duval County Public School system, I had the privilege of attending some of the primer magnet schools in the state.  However, the location of these magnet schools are in Health Zone One; a zone with the highest rates of cancer, heart disease, unemployment, and low educational status among its residents. 

At the age of 22 I ventured back into the zone, not as a student but as a North Florida Health Corps, AmeriCorps Member.  I serve as a Patient Advocate at Jacksonville Health and Transition Services (JaxHATS), a community pediatric clinic that promotes awareness of local resources for youth with chronic disease and special healthcare needs. Some of the resources include educational and vocational programs, legal services, and access to other health services. As an AmeriCorps Patient Advocate, I help patients gain access to health services, assist them in reaching their health care goals, and aid them through the process of transitioning from  pediatric care to adult oriented health care. There are times when patients call the clinic to make an appointment and discover a lapse in their health insurance, resulting in no coverage.  During these times, it is my responsibility to assist them on possible options they have such as applying for Medicaid, utilizing local hospital contract cards and patient medication assistance programs, or using the volunteer health mobile clinics around town. Although many patients are appreciative of the resources and guidance I provide, some are also nervous of how to cope with a chronic illness especially without the direction of a primary care provider.

Serving in this urban community I see the opportunity as an aspiring physician to play a role in empowering others to get back to their loved ones, responsibilities, and enjoyment of life, regardless of socioeconomic standing or zip code. I want to leave a mark on this world and I see the profession of a primary care provider as the route to do so. My service as an AmeriCorps member has helped create this informed decision, and for that I am grateful for the opportunity to service both in North Florida Health Corps and at JaxHATS.

Tristan Follows Up at Baker County

Name: Tristan Morioka

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Education: Kalamazoo College, BA Psychology

Position: Case manager at Baker County Health Department

Favorite Part of Jacksonville: Beaches Adult Soccer League recreational co-ed soccer, Yates YMCA

I serve in the medial clinic of the BCHD in the referrals department. Baker County is a rural underserved community 25 miles west of Jacksonville. Our clinic provides primary care to a majority of the county’s residents,  however for specialty care patients are referred to physicians typically located in Jacksonville. I provide follow up services to ensure patients are scheduled for and have reliable transportation to their appointments. Patients who have missed their appointments were simply unaware that they had an appointment scheduled, were unable to find transportation, or are intimidated by the task of scheduling an appointment. Although a majority of my day is spent on the phone scheduling appointments I have come to realize that I provide an essential service for those in the community who are in need of assistance. Through my service this year I have learned that transportation and scheduling issues are major barriers to access to care and ultimately improving health outcomes in this community.

Members help create a Clean Green Earth

Members Connie Hicks (L) and Brittany Lomax (R) fill bags with trash from
Jacksonville Beach.

On Saturday, April 27th, NFHC members volunteered with Clean Green Earth through HandsOn Jacksonville to clean-up garbage on and around the beach in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Below are two reflections provided by members who participated in the project that demonstrate what was gained from the experience.
 
"While walking along the beach on such a pretty day it would have been easy to overlook the bits of trash that scattered my surroundings in favor of the spectacular ocean view, but on that particular day it was my duty to notice and collect those bits of trash. After participating in this service project, I am much more sensitive to the amount of trash that pollutes my surroundings on a daily basis. This service project highlighted the importance of taking notice of our environment on a regular basis and being more active in its conservation. While random pieces of litter, small or large, might seem insignificant it is important to recognize the negative impact of waste on the grander scale and become an active participant in reducing that impact."
-Anneke Demmink

"This service project made me realize how important it is for us all to work together to keep our environment healthy. The health of our environment affects the health of every person in our community. I am now more aware of my impact on the environment and would like to continue to improve the health of our environment."
- Sarah Hagerbrant 

Committees 101: Meet the Communications Committee

By now, you are quite familiar with the host site duties of a NFHC member.  What you may not know is that aside from our daily service at our host sites, NFHC members also serve on committees and training coalitions.  These additional components have made our service even more meaningful, so we wanted to share our experiences on our committees and coalitions with you.  First up in the Committees 101 series:  The Communications Committee.  Look out for upcoming posts on the Learning Series, Service Project, and Professional Development Committees!

Ariana Bentz Makes Sure Pregnant Women Get Their "Healthy Start"

“Pregnant?” I asked the man. “Is your wife pregnant?” He replied yes, and something about Medicaid, which was not uncommon, as I often assist pregnant women with their Medicaid for Pregnancy applications. I could tell right away that his wife would benefit from the Healthy Start program, which is a free and voluntary service in Florida to help women have and care for a healthy baby. Because of the extensive outreach I do in the community about the Healthy Start program, I often get phone calls of pregnant women who need assistance. But this phone call was different. In his broken English, he tried to explain more in depth about what he needed. I looked at the caller ID, and recognized his last name. I asked him, “Are you Burmese?” to which he said he was, and again that he needed help for his wife. I told him, in the way that I had learned to communicate with refugees who do not speak much English, that I used to serve at a Refugee and Immigrant Center, specifically with the Burmese population, and that I would be glad to help him and his wife.

It took us a few minutes, and many clarifications, but we decided to meet outside of a grocery store near his house, and he would bring his pregnant wife, who didn’t speak any English.

To prepare for the appointment, I gathered the regular healthy pregnancy information I give to all of my clients – information on healthy weight gain during pregnancy, how to reduce stress during pregnancy, counting kicks, baby spacing, family planning resources, safe sleep information and other flyers that pregnant women could look over to make sure they were prepared for their babies. In this packet, I decided to research and include a booklet on how to navigate your way through the American Health Care System as a refugee. Because of my previous service, I knew how confusing and frustrating it could be to try to receive services as a refugee. For refugees, not only is the language foreign, but so are the customs and procedures. Because of this, doing things such as scheduling a medical appointment, or even knowing how to get medical services can be really difficult. I was so happy to meet a refugee family again, and to use my previous knowledge and understanding of the refugee population to assist them in the best way I could.

When I arrived at the grocery store, I walked around the perimeter, trying to find the family. My favorite part of service is exactly this – meeting with pregnant women and educating them on healthy pregnancy topics such as childbirth, immunizations, SIDS prevention and breastfeeding.  After about ten minutes, I spotted a man and a child who also looked as if they were looking for someone. I called out the name the man had told me on the phone, and he came over to me. It was obvious to me that the wife was not there – and would not be coming. I was used to these misunderstandings, and decided to go through with the appointment anyway. I would not be able to enroll the pregnant wife into the Healthy Start program as she was not there, but at least I would be able to get across some information.

I gave the man the bag full of healthy pregnancy information and ways to navigate his way through the healthcare system as a refugee in America. Ten minutes into us talking, he pulled out an envelope, the back of which he had written a dozen phone numbers. I knew this drill – often, my refugee clients had come to appointments and asked for assistance calling back people who had called them and didn’t have the patience to slowly explain why they were calling. I ended up spending an hour and a half, standing outside of the grocery store, calling back Medicaid representatives and doctor’s offices, scheduling appointments, writing down full information, looking up with my iPhone the locations. I explained each situation, who was calling, what to do when they called next, and what questions he should ask to clarify when he did not understand. Even though it wasn’t part of my normal service routine, when I left the appointment, I knew that I had not only provided a family with more information about how to have a healthy baby, but directly assisted a family with receiving access to care.

When the refugee walked away after the appointment, he turned back and put his hands together and yelled loudly and with such passion, “God bless! God bless you!” That was a moment that I will never forget. 

Community Garden Build Service Project

Many neighborhoods in Jacksonville have little access to locally grown produce and other healthy food options.  One of the organizations working to remedy that is the Second Harvest Food Bank, an organization that distributes food and groceries to hungry people in North Florida and educates the public about the causes of and possible solutions to domestic hunger.  In March, members of the North Florida Health Corps volunteered with Second Harvest to help build a community garden in one of these low income neighborhoods with little access to good produce.  We built planter boxes, filled them with rich soil, and assembled irrigation systems as part of the project to create a large garden that can both supply the needs of the local community members who will work it and which will supply produce for Second Harvest's other nutritional outreach initiatives.  It was a beautiful Saturday morning, we accomplished a lot, and were happy to contribute to a great project that promotes both the health and involvement of the local community.

More information about Second Harvest Food Bank's community garden initiative can be found here.

Member Highlight: Kristine Ferrer

Name: Kristine Ferrer
Position: Wellness Coordinator at The Arc Jacksonville Westside
Undergraduate Degree: BA Sociology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL

Graduate Degree: Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration on Global Health Practice and a graduate certificate in Water, Health, and Sustainability at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL Hometown: Kissimmee, FL 
If you could pick a super power, what would it be? Healing and reading minds

The Arc Jacksonville is an adult day program that provides services, support, and advocacy to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (DD/ID). Services such as job training and independent life skills are offered so that people with DD/ID can achieve their full potential, enhance their quality of life, and be active participants in their communities.

According to the CDC, there is a health disparity between individuals with DD/ID and individuals who do not have disabilities; 22% of DD/ID Americans are physically inactive and 38% are obese compared to 10% and 24% of Americans without disabilities respectively. This data proves that the need for my service as a Wellness Coordinator is crucial at facilities such as The Arc because the DD/ID population is dangerously under served in terms of health.

Teaching cooking class

Though I have never served this population, I do not regret choosing to serve at The Arc. I love coming into service and applying what I learned in school to the real world in a unique way. I have the freedom to creatively present health materials in a manner where it is understandable to my participants; this makes for a fun learning experience! I teach nutrition and exercise to my participants. In addition to nutrition, I also cover stress management, personal hygiene, and oral health. We are not limited to the “classroom” or the gym—we also go out to community outings such as cooking classes, aerobics classes, nature learning walks, and guest speakers. And of course they love our weekly outside walks on Wesconnett Blvd. I also have the freedom to put on events at The Arc such as this past February’s National Wear Red Day where I screened over 50 participants and staff through blood pressure, weight, and BMI measurements in commemoration of Heart Health Month.

Teaching exercise

In the beginning of my service term I sometimes felt that some of my participants did not understand the material I presented, I was pleasantly surprised when they answered my nutrition questions correctly at the daily Morning Trivia Workshop. I never underestimated them since then! I also see a difference in some of their lunch options and they never fail to come up to me and say “Kristine, is this healthy?” I feel that I am making a difference in my participants whether big or small. My AmeriCorps service allowed me to have the passion for the ID/DD population that I never thought I would have.

My future plans are to land a job in the employee wellness realm or HIV prevention and eventually work for the UN. 

Member Spotlight: Mandy Chan

Name: Mandy Chan

Position: Care Coordinator/Health Educator

Undergraduate Degree: BS Public Health at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL

Hometown: Sarasota, FL

How did you hear about AmeriCorps?: Through my twin sister, Sandy Chan, who served in the same program last year :D

With less than three months left of the program term, I am happy to say that I certainly making an impact in my community and at my host site. I serve at River Region Human Services, Inc. doing mostly case management and health education at their methadone clinic. My duties is helping clients connect to community resources, like housing, shelters and employment, as well as government assistance while table monthly health education topics. I also set up appointments for clients to see the physician assistant at River Region for primary care. Many of the clients at the clinic are in recovery from substance abuse and having someone to help them get back on their feet is always an awarding experience.


Last month has been a busy month at my host site. Twice a year (March and September), we hold a Serenity Café event for our clients. We make fruit smoothies and give healthy snacks to clients as a way to say “thank you” for using our services here. Also March was nutrition month and I was able to bring a North Florida Health Corps member to my host site. She taught my clients on about healthy eating and physical activities as she does at her host site. The topic was a big hit among the clients; they learned about the new myplate and took home healthy recipes to try!

My experience in the program has been exciting. I’ve never thought I would serve in a substance abuse population, but I’m glad I did as I learned a lot from them and was part of their recovery. As the end of the service term fast approaching, I know my clients will miss me for all I’ve done, but my next chapter after AmeriCorps is continuing my education and getting my Master’s in Public Health.