GVSU, nonprofits launch initiative to aid homeless youth
Grand Valley teamed with area nonprofits to officially launch a health initiative December 12 in an effort to interrupt the cycle of youth homelessness.
Homeless youth focus of a new Comprehensive Health Initiative
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Hundreds of homeless teens and young adults will receive primary health care access, substance use intervention and crisis support therapy among other services through a new Comprehensive Health Initiative.
Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage Update
The purpose of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage is to provide dedicated and sustainable funding for programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five; therefore allowing more children and families from across the community to participate in programs that are proven to increase their likelihood of success in school and beyond.
One year ago, Kent County voters made this funding possible. What has happened during that time? Anne Marie Valdez, President and CEO of First Steps Kent and Maureen Kirkwood, Executive Director for Health Net of West Michigan are here to give us an update. Listen here!
Welcome Doug Booth
Meet Doug Booth
Tell us a little about your professional background
I have always worked to improve the organizations that I was a part of. While attending grad school at the University of Denver, I held multiple positions. I worked with international students in the Student Financial Services department where I assisted in the reworking of their orientation to the school, and Denver. I also worked as a department manager for the Political Science, Gender & Women’s Studies, and the Socio-legal studies departments. I like to say that my job was everything that doesn’t involve teaching. Budgets, schedules, faculty grant administration, student workers, etc. The list can go on forever.
On top of this, I was also working in a consultant role for the LGBT Center as a health educator. Within this function, I assisted in the development of a training program for physicians and medical practices to be more inclusive and equitable with how they treat their patients, specifically LGBTQIA+ patients. My thesis work was looking at LGB access and utilization of primary care services in the Denver region, so I saw many of the barriers to care that many in the LGBTQIA community face. We would evaluate their practice, then propose changes and provide training to ensure that all patients have equity in the health system. This program is still in effect today.
After returning to Grand Rapids, I worked as an operations manager for a small medical practice. I helped to create the administrative framework that all practices need and was still missing. Within this practice, we worked closely with many of the assisted living facilities around West Michigan. The physician would travel to each of the homes once per week to treat patients where they live. Knowing that transportation is a large barrier to care for the geriatric population, I was excited about this model of care and the potential that it presents.
First recipients of Ready by Five millage chosen
The organizations that will receive the first round of funding from the Ready by Five early childhood millage have been selected.
The Kent County board of commissioners last week approved a total of $2.4 million to be distributed through 2021 to four organization: $763,324 to Family Futures, $50,000 to Family Promise of Grand Rapids, $930,000 to Health Net of West Michigan and $656,676 to Kent Intermediate School District.
One Good Thing: FitKids360 shoe giveaway
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — FitKids360’s “On The Move” program recently donated more than 60 pairs of new shoes to local kids. Priority Health partnered with them to get it done.
FitKids360 helps kids and their families develop healthy habits through education, nutrition, behavior and exercise.
Street Talk: Never too early
Organizers say the first round of funding from the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage will help thousands of families in Kent County connect to programs that improve the health and school readiness of young children.
The initial funding is dedicated to navigation and outreach services that will help families know what is available in the community and how to access the resources that best meet their needs.
Kent County considering $2.4M in outreach efforts for tax-funded child readiness initiative
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kent County leaders might expend $2.4 million in new tax funds on outreach efforts and program navigation for early childhood development.
The proposal would allocate $2.4 million in early childhood millage tax dollars for contracted organizations to complete those tasks. It heads to the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 12.
FitKids360 program teaches kids and families the importance of healthy habits
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) – The FitKids360 Program combines basic education about nutrition, behavior, and exercise with a wide range of physical activity to help kids develop healthy habits including eating better and becoming more active! This program is a childhood obesity intervention program that benefits hundreds of children and their families to create a better version of themselves. In order to participate in this program, children must be ages 5 to 17 years old, have a BMI at or above the 85th percentile, be referred by a physician or healthcare provider, and a parent/guardian must accompany the child to each class. Not only is the child developing these healthy habits, but the parents and siblings are as well. The program teaches families on the importance of exercise, proper nutrients, and taking care of their behavioral and emotional wellbeing. It’s a program that exemplifies mind, body, and soul!
Michigan’s home visiting programs bringing support to new parents
In times past, pregnant women and new mothers received abundant support from family and community, but today that tradition has faded. Western culture now expects moms to be showing off their newborns on social media within a week, and back to work within six weeks.
That doesn’t leave much opportunity for moms to form the deep bonds they need with their babies. But a wide range of perinatal home visiting programs bring professional support to Michigan’s new moms and moms-to-be, helping to fill the void of community support and develop vital skills.