Each drive is different…Whether it is an office chili cook-off, a coat drive, or a collection of monetary donations, it is exciting to so many creative groups helping out others during the holiday season.

The IU Health  Affinity groups had their own idea for a Holiday Helpings drive that, fortunately and gratefully, we were the beneficiary.  This drive was different, not in the way the donations were collected but in the way they were given.

When we went to pick up the donated items, the expectation was to drop by, load up and express our great thanks for these groups’ continued support for the 3rd year in a row.  However, when we arrived, the Affinity groups had a different plan in mind.

We were warmly greeted, asked to speak to the Affinity groups about our Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs (the specific programs that benefited from the drive), and then we had the opportunity to talk with many of the group members.

This experience went above
and beyond!

The groups’ willingness to learn more about these programs gave a sense of partnership, rather than just giving and receiving.

We appreciate EVERYTHING that the IU Health Affinity groups did for the Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs this year.  We are very grateful for the generosity shown, and the willingness to go beyond giving donations and wanting to learn more about how their donations will help!

It’s NOT Too Late! You can still hold a Holiday Helpings Drive!!

The needs are still great. Many holiday assistance programs have exhausted their resources – yet families in our programs still have needs.

Whether it’s the quick donation of a gift card or asking everyone who comes to your house for a holiday dinner to bring warm gloves for the homeless, you can learn why a Holiday Helpings Drive is vital to furthering the HealthNet mission and what is on our Holiday Wish List!

All of our BIBs & Healthy Families participants along with the homeless individuals served by our Homeless Initiative Program will need help beyond just the holiday season.  You can contact us about running your own drive by calling – 317-781-4918, every little bit helps!

Kids are just the most adorable and naive little people!! 

We as adults  see them as just that and tend to forget that they are also so in tune to what is going on around them.  So, lets all take a minute to give credit to kids all around the world.  We have all heard the amazing stories on TV, newspapers, talk shows, etc, on how various children, of various ages, have done extravagant things to help save another’s life.  There is an old wives tale “it takes a village to raise a kid.”  I completely see a lot of value in that, especially in our present day.

Look around you, what do you see in the world today?

Crime rates increasing, violence, abuse, neglect, bullying, youth suicide rates increasing, etc.  Is such an environment safe to raise our most naive, precious, and sponge like gems?  I don’t think so.  So you ask, “What can I do?”  Well, there is a lot that one can do.  Kids really are just kids, and rely on an adult to tell them and show them what is wrong and what is right, what is appropriate and what is not, what is respect versus disrespect, and the list goes on.  The unfortunate part, which I see on a daily basis, however,  is that our society, including parents, family members, teachers, principals, school administrators, etc are going through a shift.  For whatever the reason, they seem to not be aware of the dilemmas and tragedies that kids experience at their age.  I hear comments such as “oh, he is a kid, what does he know about stress” or “he should not be depressed, he has no worries,”  but what we fail to understand is that kids soak up the emotional stressors that are present in their homes, which is causing them to react in such a manner.

Let’s take a simple example of bullying, which is such a big topic of discussion when it comes to school performance.  Did you know that there is a link between bullying and depression?  This applies to the bully and the victim.  Did you know that people who are bullied as children grow up to suffer from depression more so than people who were not bullied?

Did you know that any sort of change that occurs in a child’s life has an affect on them emotionally, mentally, and developmentally?  If the children around you begin to act different than their normal behaviors, that is your sign that something is not quite right with them emotionally.  Talk to them; find out what’s on their mind.  Not only are children/youth like precious, sponge like gems, however they are little gardens that need to be fed and nurtured with care and love regularly.  If they do not get what they need in order to grow up to be mature, responsible, independent adults; they get derailed into the land of anger, pain, grief, frustration, resentment, etc.  Regularly I see in my office kids coming in with issues of depression, anxiety, and anger and the root cause is bullying, changes that have occurred in their life, past/current abuse or neglect.   So, if you are in a new relationship, do still take the time to spend with your kids to let them know that you care and love them as well.  Encourage your kids to keep an open line of communication with you, so that if they are hurt by someone else, they are not ashamed or scared to tell you.  Teachers, administrators, principals, when a student comes to you and tells you they are being bullied, or you see bullying taking place; please do not let it go unaddressed.  There is a lot of suffering that goes on behind closed doors when that happens.

It is our responsibility as a whole society, to make sure each and everyone of our precious gems are getting the love, care, attention, etc they need.  Please do your part in helping a child that you know, to help our future be a better place!  Please contact any of the our clinics in your area to schedule an appointment with one of our Behavioral Health Therapists if your kids have difficulty opening up to you or are engaging in behaviors out of their norm.

—————————————————————————————————————————
Want to learn more about our GIVE A CARE ABOUT KIDS campaign? Click here.
If you have questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families Program, comment below or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.

The behavioral health department is invested in our community kiddos!  The therapists in each facility provide services for children as well as adults.  We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jim Jones, child psychologist, at PACC and the department is in the process of hiring another child psychologist.  I am thrilled to announce that we have also developed play therapy rooms at three of our centers to specifically meet the needs of our smallest patients.

The behavioral health department also includes a pediatric psychiatrist and a pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioner.  All staff work closely with the pediatricians in the centers to meet the needs of the child and family as a whole.

In addition to these resources, the behavioral health folks have the pleasure of consulting with the social workers in the centers as well as with BIBS and Healthy Families to get a full picture of the family’s needs and strengths.  Our BIBS and Healthy Families staff work tirelessly to improve the lives of these families and in turn, improve communities.

As you can see, HealthNet truly provides a network of care that reaches each corner of a child’s life.   It’s exciting, fun, and rewarding to see our littlest patients grow and flourish.

I often hear from my adult patients that they first came to HealthNet as pediatric patients.  They feel that HealthNet is home and are excited to continue from their pediatric care to adult primary care to OB care and then begin bringing their children to our clinic.  After meeting a patient for the first time, I often ask if they remember how to get back to the lobby after an appointment.  More often than not, I get the response,

“I’ve been coming here for 20 years.  I know this building like the back of my hand!”

It’s encouraging when patients are so satisfied with their service at HealthNet they are happy to introduce their children and grandchildren into our caring community!

———————————————————————————————————————————————
Do you #GiveACareAbout Kids?? Check out our page on the blog by clicking here.
Have any questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families Program? Comment below. Or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.

And things just keep getting busier, so here is a quick post to let you all know what to see and look out for during the month of June.  (We are really, really excited and just had to share with someone).

1. Today is WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY!

HealthNet is lucky to have a FANTASTIC Tobacco Cessation Counselor.  Her name is Stacey Chappell, and she makes the rounds from health center to health center each week to help our patients through the tough job of quitting tobacco.  Like many community health centers throughout the nation, our focus is on preventative care.  The more prevention, the lower the cost of health care to the patients, to the system and to you!  Through a partnership with the Marion County Health Department, our Tobacco Cessation program is able to offer free nicotine patches if you are enrolled in the program.  WE ARE CELEBRATING WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY TODAY!

2. In case you missed it… check out the celebration that happened at Barrington last week!

Last week, we held a community celebration for Barrington Health & Dental Center’s Grand Opening.  It was complete with great speakers such as Reverend Ezra Russ, Representative Andre Carson, Douglas Hairston, Stan Strader and IU Health’s President & CEO, Dan Evans.  It was a fantastic event, so be sure to head over to our Facebook page and see the photos.

3. WE HAVE A BLOGGING TEAM!

In order to bring you, the reader, a closer look at what happens here at HealthNet, we recruited staff to blog!  Right here on GIVE A CARE INDY, you will get a first hand look into our Health Promotions Dept, Marketing/Development, Homeless Initiative Program, Behavioral Health Dept, Social Workers, Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families Program, Dental, OB/Midwifery Dept, and weekly health tips from our Assistant Medical Director.

MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG TODAY TO STAY IN THE KNOW!!

Sammie learned about Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families when she was 14 years old and expecting her first child. She was scared, overwhelmed and knew she had a lot to learn.

She loved meeting with her Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families home visitors. Through their ongoing visits, they helped Sammie learn how to take better care of herself and her baby during her pregnancy. After her daughter Isabelle was born, they taught Sammie how to care for a newborn, and how to play developmental games with her daughter as she grew. They helped her understand about temper tantrums and when to be concerned – and what to do – when her child is sick. They also helped Sammie set personal goals, get back in school and look for jobs.

Sammie will graduate from high school this year. She also attends cosmetology school and has a full-time job. Isabelle is now 3 years old, and is growing and thriving. Thanks to a little mentoring from the Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families team, Sammie has been able to give Isabelle a great start in life.

Put your money toward a good cause this Saturday so that more moms like Sammie and little ones like Isabelle can get the boost they need to succeed in life. Stop by any of the six local Once Upon A Child stores and check out the great sale! (Even if you don’t have kids, it’s a chance to stock up on baby shower gifts or treats for nieces and nephews!) Pass the word to your friends!

Need directions? Find the store nearest you.

Can’t make it?  You can still make an impact…
VISIT blog.indyhealthnet.org/DONATE
TO CONTRIBUTE!

As 2011 draws to a close, we wanted to share a letter from HealthNet President/CEO Booker Thomas that appeared in yesterday’s e-newsletter:

Dear Friends of HealthNet,

Every year, hundreds of individuals make donations that help HealthNet fulfill its mission of caring for the community. We hope you will join them and make a gift to HealthNet this holiday season.

Consider that:

• $50 helps School-based Services provide students with a personal care hygiene kit filled with items they may not have at home.
• $100 provides 2 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy for a patient without insurance through Health Promotions.
• $200 helps a family struggling with a rent or mortgage payment through Social Services.
• $200 provides breast health education and outreach to inner-city neighborhoods in Indianapolis through Mammogram Assistance.
• $500 helps provide services through the Healthy Families Programthat teach and encourage the skills that make a family work. In an area where poverty heightens the normal stresses of parenting and making ends meet, families need a variety of support just to keep it together.
• $1000 provides tuition for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and certification for someone in the Homeless Initiative Program.

Any gift, large or small, will make a difference in our ability to put our patients’ needs first as we provide the very highest standard of care in a community-based environment. 
Please click here to make a donation online.

 I also invite you to enjoy the online edition of HealthNet’s 2010-2011 Annual Report. In this easy-to-read format, you can learn more about the expansion, innovation and growth HealthNet has experienced in the past year, as well as read some amazing stories from our patients and clients.

 On behalf of the entire HealthNet family, I thank you in advance and wish you the very best for a happy, healthy 2012!

Booker Thomas, MHA

President/CEO

HealthNet, Inc.

_______________________________________________

Sign up to stay up-to-date on HealthNet happenings in 2012!

Each drive is different…Whether it is an office bake sale, a canned food drive, or a collection of monetary donations, it is fun to see the creativity of groups in accomplishing the goal of helping out others during the holiday season.

The IU Health Women’s and Minority Affinity groups had their own idea for a Holiday Helpings drive that, fortunately and gratefully, we were the beneficiary.  This drive was different, not in the way the donations were collected but in the way they were given.

When we went to pick up the donated items, the expectation was to drop by, load up and express our great thanks for these groups’ continued support for the 2^nd year in a row.  However, when we arrived, the Affinity groups had a different plan in mind.

We were warmly greeted, asked to speak to the Affinity groups about our Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs (the specific programs that benefitted from the drive), and then we had the opportunity to mingle and talk with many of the group members.

This experience went above
and beyond!

flickr photo by stevendepolo

The groups’ willingness to learn more about these programs gave a sense of partnership, a two-way road, rather than just giving and receiving.

One woman from the group even expressed to us just how important the Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) was to her personally. She had been touched by HIP’s efforts to help her own family member out of homelessness.

Another group member was glad to hear stories from our staff.  So much so, that she decided to give Better Indy Babies the proceeds from a Holiday Fundraising Party she had recently held with a group of friends.

We appreciate EVERYTHING that the IU Health Women’s and Minority Affinity groups did for the Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs this year.  We are very grateful for the generosity shown, and the willingness to go beyond giving donations and wanting to learn more about how their donations will help!

You can still hold a Holiday Helpings Drive!!

You can learn why a Holiday Helpings Drive is vital to furthering the HealthNet mission or what is on our Holiday Wish List!  With warm weather lingering, the cold is still to come.  All of our BIBs & Healthy Families participants along with the homeless individuals served by our Homeless Initiative Program will need help beyond just the holiday season.  You can contact us about running your own drive by calling – 317-781-4918, every little bit helps!

This week we ventured over to collect dozens and dozens of NEW toys, stuffed animals, books and MUCH MORE! They had even collected donations and had a bake sale to raise additional funds for our families being served by HealthNet’s Better Indy Babies and Healthy Families programs. They raised over $700 that will go into an emergency fund so our case workers can provide food, clothing, heating assistance, and even those last minute Christmas items for a child who otherwise would not be getting anything.

When I contacted them over at BIBs/HF…here was their response….

“Wow, that is great!!!  We have been scraping the barrel
to try to get things at the last minute for families.
This is such great news!” -Denise Kaspar

“We have so many patients that were turned away from United Christmas Service and all the other resources have met their deadline. So donations like these are some family’s last resort. I already have 15 referrals for today and many, many phone calls.  I am going to load the cart up in my truck and I will be over very soon. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!  I just love the magic of Christmas” – Benita Mullins

MANY, MANY THANKS to the staff at Regenstrief Institute – you truly made a difference in the life of a child this holiday season!!

There is still time to help!!

You can learn why a Holiday Helpings Drive is vital to furthering the HealthNet mission or what is on our Holiday Wish List!  With warm weather lingering, the cold is still to come.  All of our BIBs & Healthy Families participants along with the homeless individuals served by our Homeless Initiative Program will need help beyond just the holiday season.  You can contact us about running your own drive by calling – 317-781-4918, every little bit helps!

“Giving a Care” and “Opening Doors” represent the mindset of HealthNet as an organization and our outreach programs in particular. In this video, Benita and Toscha talk about the impact of donation on our clients and patients. Becoming a support person for HealthNet, especially for our Better Indy Babies, Healthy Families, and Homeless Initiative Programs, shows that you give a care about the Indianapolis community and the residents who need one person to help open a door for them.

You can access our Holiday Wish List at – http://blog.indyhealthnet.org/HOLIDAYWISHLIST.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGjNFrn5fD8?hd=1]

Benita and Toscha take us through their favorite memories of when a donor came through for HealthNet clients in need during the holiday season.
Clients show responsibility with gifts, gratitude in receiving, and overwhelming joy when the stress of the season is relieved!

• Increase Hoosiers at a healthy weight
• Decrease tobacco usage
• Reduce infant mortality
• Assure food safety
• Reduce health care-associated infections
• Reduce the burden of HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis in Indiana

It’s no secret that Indiana ranks as one of the unhealthiest states in the nation. State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin acknowledged that implementing the state’s ambitious action plan will be no easy task. The only way to succeed will be if individuals and public, private, governmental, and nonprofit organizations passionately #giveacareabout our state and work together.

We applaud the Department of Health’s efforts to take a broad look at how to make Indiana a healthier place to live. If we were to add a goal, #7 would be to continue improving access to health care and support services in neighborhoods, right where people live.

Why? Because true health encompasses so much more than a once-a-year doctor’s visit. And, often the best people to figure how to make a community a healthier are the folks who actually live there.

For example, look at what’s been happening on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis. This month, residents there just embarked on a great adventure — developing a Quality of Life plan for their community. This plan will help outline the things the community believes should happen to improve the health and well-being of all residents. Not only do they intend to identify areas of need and concern, they also plan to work together to be the change they want to see in their community.

The success of this plan, too, will take a lot of local folks who #giveacareabout the Far Eastside and work tireless to make things happen. We look forward to being a part of it.

Last month, we became a Far Eastside neighbor! The new HealthNet Eastside Health Center opened at 38^th Street and Post Road, and will serve more than 2,000 people each year — many living below the federal poverty level. It’s great to be neighbors with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE), LaPlaza, Goodwill Industries, Family Development Services, CICOA, Dream Academy, Women in Motion and other groups at the Far Eastside Neighborhood Center that are working together with residents to make the Far Eastside a healthier place to live.

What can you do? GET INVOLVED!

If you live on the Far Eastside, the Quality of Life Issue Group meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at the Far Eastside Neightborhood Center, 8902 E. 38th Street, at 6:00 p.m.

Interested in knowing more about the Far Eastside? Join us at today’s open house for the new Eastside Health Center at CAFE’s Annual Community Day!

If you were to add a goal to the state’s list, what do you think would be the most important health priority for your neighborhood?