Did you know that May is Asthma Awareness Month? HealthNet’s Pulmonary Disease Management Educator, Dan Wilson, helps patients make treatment plans to deal with their Asthma so they can live a normal life.

A few Asthma Factoids according to the Marion County Public Health Department:

• 9.5% of Indiana children age 0-10, and 11.8% of 11-17 year olds currently have asthma.
• Nearly 12% of adults living in Marion County have asthma.
• Asthma incidence has been increasing in the U.S. at more than 4% per year since the 1980’s.
• A family history of asthma or allergy increases asthma risk in childhood by 90%.
• Boys are at greater risk of asthma than girls.
• Maternal pre-natal smoking and a child’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are risk factors for asthma incidence in children.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the airway passages in the lungs. The airway passages become swollen and the muscles on the outside of the airways get tight and this makes it difficult to breathe. Common symptoms include coughing with mucus, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Someone with asthma may have “flare-ups” caused by triggers such as tobacco smoke, allergies or catching a cold. Asthma typically develops in early childhood however asthma can develop later in life too.

Are There Different Types and Levels of Asthma?

Yes, the most common type of asthma is Allergic Asthma. Someone who is allergic to furry pets or has seasonal allergies can have asthma symptoms when exposed to these things. Another type of asthma is Non-Allergic Asthma. This type of asthma is caused by inhaling irritants such as chemicals, fumes, or combustion of biofuels like wood or coal.

The mildest level of asthma is Intermittent Asthma which only appears occasionally. Then there are three persistent levels of asthma; Mild, Moderate, and Severe. These levels are more serious and require daily medication to control symptoms.

Is There a Cure For Asthma?

No, but asthma can be treated and controlled effectively by following a treatment plan using prescribed inhaled medications daily as directed by your health care provider.

Is Asthma Contagious?

No. Asthma is passed on through genes like if your parents or grandparents had asthma. However research also shows people can develop asthma if they live in an area of high air pollution, or work or live in an environment with poor air quality.  Mothers who smoke tobacco during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop asthma.

Can Someone With Asthma Have a Normal and Active Life?

Yes. Many professional athletes have asthma and perform at a high level because they take asthma seriously and follow the recommendations of their health care provider. Talk with your health care provider about your asthma. Together you and your provider can design a treatment plan that can control your asthma from being a problem.

Need help dealing with your Asthma? Call a HealthNet location near you or visit www.indyhealthnet.org! 

What is the importance of the City County Council’s decision to pass the Ban the Box initiative for those applying to the City of Indianapolis and their vendors?

The 26-2 decision by the City County Council to pass a local Ban the Box initiative potentially has a large impact on those searching for employment in Marion County.  This impact will not be immediately

felt by individuals with criminal histories unless applying to these entities in the near future, but hopes are high that this trickles to private employers to consider those recovering from past mistakes.

With the most recent numbers showing 5,000 individuals exiting from prison per year into Marion County, this is an important victory for those trying to get back on the employment track.  Many ex-offenders have plenty of positive skills to provide to employers but have difficulty getting back into employment and finding employers that are willing to give those with past convictions a second chance.  All that is needed is an opportunity to get their “foot into the door” in order to sell themselves to the employers.  This decision gives hope to those searching for employment that their criminal history may not be an immediate barrier to this process. If they can sell the employer on their skill sets, they can then address the criminal history with an opportunity to explain what they have done since their conviction to choose a different path and learn from their past mistakes.

Employers often tell me that they have some flexibility to consider applicants with criminal history but that the challenge is really preparing those with this barrier on how to provide “proof” that this decision making process is different and that they truly have learned from their mistakes.  This falls on employment professionals within our county to prepare these individuals properly so that they can speak about past poor choices and how that affected their life in a positive manner.

If you have the ability and desire to help those struggling to find employment opportunities or practice building interview skills, please contact Matt Holland at 317-957-2275 for our Mock Interviewing with employment ready individuals that we facilitate every two weeks.  We also are seeking private employers that are interested in providing opportunities to those in our community that are transitioning out of a situation of homelessness back into society in order to be productive members of our community.

For more information about HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, please visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

I distinctly remember a “game” my grandfather used to play with me that taught me more life values than most childhood games I ever played; I believe he called it “Bug Hunting.” He was a fisherman and taught me that buying bait was a waste of money, since it was more fun (and free) to go and find worms in the dirt. Finding worms became a competition between my brother and I, making the whole game more ‘profitable’ for my grandfather, since we always ended up with more worms that way. The game evolved on a warm Sunday afternoon, however, when I was about 5 years old. As it turned out, my aunt is absolutely petrified of worms, and my grandfather knew it (I did not at the time). The game evolved from finding the bugs, to my grandfather using my devoted obedience to him to scare my aunt. He brought me close to him, saying “Aunt Jenny loves worms, Tori. Why don’t you go give her one? She’d love it! And if she runs away and screams, it’s just part of the game, so you have to chase her until she takes it from you to win!” Being five, I believed every word. I ended up chasing my screeching aunt through a field for about 10 minutes. Needless to say, I never “won”.

But being an adult now, I remember this game and now see it as a life lesson in personal management. Allow me to explain:

While I can go on a personal ‘bug hunt’ to find what it is that “bugs” me (finding my own personal triggers for anger, frustration, etc), there will always be other people who will find them for me. That’s the beauty in human interaction: allowing others to teach you something you did not know about yourself before you met them. There are certainly days I have felt that I could have gone without learning about a certain trigger, particularly if it was one for feeling annoyed, I later appreciated the opportunity and education.

A lot of people find the holiday season to be both a blessing and a curse, which is the perfect recipe for a ‘bug hunt’ to occur. So this holiday season, give yourself some time to go on your own ‘bug hunt’ to proactively find your own triggers and develop ways to overcome them or, better yet, eliminate them. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, or community professionals such as your Family Support Specialist on stress management techniques, coping skills, and ways to make the holidays inclusive, safe, and fun for the whole family.

Happy Hunting and Happy Holidays!

In the spirit of the Olympics, we will be talking about hopes and dreams throughout August – for ourselves, our neighbors, our communities and our city.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world, and life is hard for most people most of the time — particularly for the families we serve.

We all get stuck in moments. And, we all need to be reminded that we aren’t alone in the places we feel stuck. The fears, pains and struggles our patients face are very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

 Our health care providers see it happen, in lives changing as people get the help they need.  People sitting across from a therapist for the first time, or seeing a doctor for a condition that has been a nagging concern for years. People making decisions to lead healthier lives, in spite of rock hard circumstances.

We want to say that it’s worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it’s possible to change.

What you can expect…

- We will be holding conversations every Monday on Twitter, sharing favorite quotes, questions, and tips for reaching your personal goals and dreams. Lots of info will be shared throughout the entire day.  Look for the hashtag #moxiemonday and TUNE IN!

- We will feature blogs throughout the month from patients and staff who have amazing stories to share about life struggles and long sought-after goals that have become realities.

- Keep a lookout on our Facebook page for FACING FEARS FRIDAY! A giveaway will occur each Friday for those who participate.  Details, again, will be found on our Facebook page the day of the giveaways.

- Want us to keep you updated via email?? We will be sending out eBlasts every week to remind everyone what is going on and how to participate.  Sign up for our eBlasts now by clicking here to receive the Hopes & Dreams emails.

How you can directly help…

If you remember nothing else, please let it be that HealthNet very much needs your help! In order to expand our reach, we need support from people like you who crave to help their community.

If you like what you read in August, we are asking that you please consider forwarding these messages, links, tweets and Facebook posts to friends, family members, and work colleagues. By providing a little education and an easy way to get involved, we believe we can bring new awareness to our cause — especially with your encouragement.

Right now in Marion County, one in 17 of us lives in poverty. It’s a place where every day is hard. And, there is never enough. These families don’t want a hand out. They want a way out.

For the past 44 years, HealthNet has provided wrap-around services to help families do just that. And with your continued help, we can accomplish even more.

The Better Indy Babies and Healthy Families’ mantra should be We Care About Kids. Over 1500 kids, both born and unborn,  hold a place in the hearts of the more than 50 home visitors and support staff in these two programs over the course of a year.  Our passion and purpose is to ensure that children are born healthy and are raised in nurturing and safe environments.  Personally, I cannot think of a more important job than the job of the home visitors who beat the streets of neighborhoods that many of us would not venture into.  Our home visitors use proven strategies and interventions for parents or parents-to-be to develop relationships with children that will form the basis of all of their future relationships and interactions.  With their loving hearts and caring hands, the home visitors support individuals and families and teach about falling in love with their children.  Many of the individuals and families that we serve have experienced childhood trauma, which impacts their ability to care for their children as parents.

The following story is just one of the success stories that illustrate how building a relationship with both BIBs and Healthy Families participants, who are HealthNet patients, can change an adult’s life. The result of a child feeling love and protection from a healthy relationship with the parent helps the child become a caring human being capable enough to handle life.

Nancy enrolled in the program and initially was not completely open about her past. She was very quiet and timid.  Over the course of a few visits, Nancy opened up to her home visitor, disclosing a significant history of depression, anxiety, abuse, and rape.  Her home visitor arranged for Nancy to see a HealthNet Behavioral Health therapist, and she and her home visitor worked together on ways to help her cope with her stressors.  Nancy did see a therapist and is now attending weekly sessions.  She regularly uses the stress relief techniques that the home visitor taught her and is working on eating healthier and exercising.  Nancy enjoys the praise she gets from her home visitor and reports that one of the few things she looks forward to each week is her home visit.  While Nancy’s story is ongoing, her progress and willingness to share her history and emotions demonstrate growth and maturity that is supported by services provided by BIBs and Healthy Families.

Children are our future; we must take care of them with maximum effort. -Naomi Campbell

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To learn more about our #GiveACareAbout Kids theme, click here.
Have any questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families program? Comment below or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.

What was her dream? Oddly enough, it was about giving back to the Near Eastside — the community where she lives and works. She thought to herself, “What can I possibly do to help this neighborhood?” It was as if God himself impressed upon her, “you have the homeless.”

That was her inspiration for “Warming the Heart.” Throughout February she organized a drive at the health center, collecting much-needed items for HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP). For the past 24 years, HIP has assisted thousands of Indianapolis’ homeless into housing, employment and self-sufficiency.

The response from employees was overwhelming. By the end of the month, the team had collected three huge boxes brimming with hats, gloves, coats, blankets, socks, and more for those in need. There was even a knitted scarf handmade by one of the health center’s doctors! Last week they presented the boxes to HIP’s street outreach workers, who were extremely grateful.

Margie readily admits that she has a special place in her heart for the homeless. She remembers being homeless herself, when she first moved to Indianapolis some 40 years ago. As a young woman fleeing an abusive relationship with two young children, she left her hometown and didn’t look back. She stayed at an Indy shelter, and was thankful to find a safe haven from her past.

Margie continues to be very grateful for how things turned out. She met a wonderful man here in Indy. They’ve been happily married for 20 years. And, her two kids are growing and thriving. She knows things could have turned out very differently for them – and for her. Perhaps that’s why helping those who are homeless find a new beginning appeals to her so much.

Margie modeling the hand-knit scarf!

People’s Health & Dental Center, which got its start back in 1971, had a new beginning of sorts last year when the health center moved into a brand new building to be able to offer more health care services for the community. Margie hopes that “Warming the Heart” might grow into a new tradition for the staff. It’s a way for this eastside institution to continue giving back, beyond the health care services it provides every day.

Here’s to new beginnings…And new traditions!

What traditions do you have at your workplace, school, church, alumni group or neighborhood organization? Consider starting a new one! Celebrate the Big 10 tournament this week with friends AND give back to the community. Host a drive. YOU can help us raise $10,000 for HIP by March 10!

CITY-COUNTY SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO. 10, 2012

 A SPECIAL RESOLUTION recognizing HealthNet‘s Homeless Initiative Program.

WHEREAS, HealthNet‘s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) has assisted thousands of Indianapolis’ homeless in finding employment and permanent housing since 1988, utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to coordinate and provide housing, health care, outreach, employment and support services to the homeless in Marion County; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, approximately 3,200 homeless persons benefited from HIP’s services; and

WHEREAS, HIP, one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for the homeless in the state, provides a network of services to treat the whole person, as he or she moves from homelessness into housing, employment and self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the mission of HIP is to assist homeless persons in reaching a level of self-sufficiency consistent with their goals and capabilities for physical, mental, social and economic well-being; now, therefore:

 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY-COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS AND OF MARION COUNTY, INDIANA:

SECTION 1.  The Indianapolis City-County Council recognizes Healthnet’s Homeless Initiative Program.

SECTION 2.  The Council extends its appreciation and gratitude for the services Healthnet’s Homeless Initiative provides and wishes the program continued success.

SECTION 3.  The Mayor is invited to join in this resolution by affixing his signature hereto.

SECTION 4.  This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon adoption and compliance with IC 36-3-4-14.

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Last night, HIP was recognized at the City-County Council Meeting by Councilors Osili, Adamson, Cardwell, and Simpson!  It was a great experience and opportunity for HIP to explain their services to Council members and other meeting attendees.  Sharon Stark, Program Director, was able to speak to the Council describing the services provide by HIP and the collaboration that they do with other homeless programs within the City of Indianapolis.   We want to send a special thanks to Kim Boyd who spearheaded the effort to get the City-Council to recognize HIP and its services.

Want to see pictures from the night?  Click here.  To learn more about how you can help our Homeless Initiative Program continue to expand its reach to the Marion County homeless population, check out our Open Doors with Care Campaign!

As parents, we sometimes are so busy taking care of our children that we lose track of some of the details of their lives.

Take 5 minutes and test yourself with this 16-question quiz recommended by our Better Indy Babies and Healthy Families staff. It will help you to see if you are having enough conversations, spending enough time, and showing enough interest to share in your child’s life each day. A parent needs to know his or her child better than anyone else in the world!

1. If your child could paint his room any color, what would it be?
2. What does your child want to be when he or she grows up?
3. Who is your child’s best friend?
4. Does your child think he or she is too big or small for his age?
5. What does your child think others think about him?
6. What does your child like best about school? Why?
7. What does your child dislike about school? Why?
8. Who outside your family has influenced your child the most?
9. Who is your child’s hero?
10. How does your child feel about you?
11. What would your child change about his family?
12. Does your child think you are fair?
13. If your child had $5 today, what would he or she buy?
14. What is your child’s favorite toy?
15. What would your child change about you?
16. If asked, “What do you do well?” what would your child say?

Find a time to sit down with your child, check your answers and see how well you did!

Helping Vulnerable Kids and
Families Succeed

ALL parents need reminders from time to time on how to be the best mom or dad they can be for their kids. HealthNet’s Better Indy Babies and Healthy Families teams work with at-risk Indy parents during the critical early years of their children’s lives. They help increase parent knowledge of early childhood development, improve parenting practices, provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, prevent child abuse and neglect and increase children’s school readiness.  Kudos to these programs for making Indy a healthier place for children!

What did you learn about your child today?
Join the discussion on our Facebook page. Or learn more about BIBs and our Once Upon a Healthy Baby event by subscribing to our blog and/or eNewsletter to receive alerts about the program and other ongoings!

Meet – Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families

Better Indy Babies (BIBs) is a free home visitation program for expecting mothers. BIBs is designed to promote a healthier you for a healthy pregnancy. Our efforts assist in healthy fetal development and help reduce infant immortality rates, SIDS, and foreseen childhood health problems. Since 1989, the program has been providing prenatal care coordination services and served as one of two pilot projects funded by the Marion County Divisions of Family and Children Services.

Healthy Families – Marion I (HF) is a voluntary home visitation program that works with parents and children from the age of 0-3 for healthy growth and development for the child through a variety of services including access to health care and parent education.

So here are the four things you should know about Better Indy Babies & Healthy Families.

1.  Separate names, but they work together to make one great program!

   As you may have noticed from reading above, both programs basically serve the same purpose — only in two different stages of a child’s life.  Both work toward proper care and development for all Indianapolis children through home visitation.

2. Together they provided more than 12,364 home visits last year.

   The result of a home visitation program such as BIBs/HF is a researched success.  A Healthy Families program in New York with a similar sister program like Better Indy Babies was featured in a research study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine where ‘pregnant women and adolescents were randomized to either an intervention group that received bi-weekly home-visitation services or to a control group’.  And the conclusion was this:

   

   photo by paparutzi

   “A prenatal home-visitation program with focus on social support, health education, and access to services holds promise for reducing low-birth-weight deliveries among at-risk women and adolescents.”
   
   

3. BIBs/HF is filled with tireless staff who not only visit these families, but also become an integral PART in their lives.

   This is true and can be seen in an earlier blog post that gave a recap of the BIBs/HF Picnic & Graduation Ceremony.  Read that post!

4. Assistance to help sustain this great program is always a need!

   There are plenty of ways to get involved with this great group of people!

   • Donate new or gently used baby items to the BIBs Pantry at University Heights United Methodist Church.
   • Consider a small gift. We can’t understate the significance of even a $5 donation to the BIBs/HF programs.  Raise awareness and tell your friends that you donated to this great program!  Together, we can help all children in Indianapolis get a GREAT start to LIFE.

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Interested in BIBs/HF?  Want to learn more?
Questions about Low birth weight and infant mortality in Indianapolis?
Comment below!
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