notes from qhcc meeting 6/20

​ Angels and Backpacks brings their supplies to a moderate special needs class, and the kids in the class pack the bags.
 
Letters are sent home to all families in the schools with the option to sign up – no barriers, no income requirements.
 
Significant community involvement – Angels Inc has pulled out of 2 schools because the schools took the program over and ran it themselves.
 
Goal: to put the program model in other school districts.

Red Fire Farm has agreed to make Hillside village a dropoff point for a farm share. Vegetable produce only. Project Bread has committed to work with DTA to subsidize the farm share. $50/month of food stamps.
 
The cost options are either $54.00 per month($94.00 non-SNAP share) for a small share (6 - 8 kinds of produce) or $70.69per month($110.69 non-SNAP share) for a regular share (10 - 12 kinds of produce). The produce keeps longer and is fresher than what you would buy from your local supermarket and is ORGANIC for a reduced price.  The produce can be picked-up at Hillside Village weekly.The monthly fee pays for all of the weekly pick-ups during the month.The cost if roughly $13.50 per week for a smaller share which provides a vast array of produce.
 
SNAP customer may sign up for the CSA program by contacting Julie at Hillside Village apartments at 413-277-0426. We will walk you or the SNAP customer through this very simple sign up form and assist in its completion. 
 

Community health centers provide primary, preventive and dental care, as well as mental health, substance abuse, eye care and other community-based services to anyone in need regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
In addition to providing comprehensive health services to underserved people, health centers are at the leading edge of addressing some of the most vexing problems of our health care system, including facilitating access to health insurance coverage for low-income residents and eliminating health disparities between racial and ethnic populations. Currently, 63% of Massachusetts health center patients belong to an ethnic or racial minority group.
Community health centers are receiving increasing attention as a solution for reducing health costs and ensuring health care quality in Massachusetts and across the nation. Community health centers excel at providing preventive care and chronic disease management in lower cost community settings. These savings are passed on to the state’s Medicaid program and other insurers. Massachusetts health centers contributed $929 million directly into the state’s economy, generated $650 million in direct household income and supported more than 10,000 jobs.
Opening a satellite in Amherst next year in the Bangs Community Center.

 

Helen Franchi – Summer and Beyond, summer internships of 6 weeks, rising juniors and seniors July 18-Aug 26