DSHS, Agri Life seek faith-based org input
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), a recipient of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community Conversations Health Grant, has partnered with the Family and Community Health branch of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to collect data to help reduce ‘health disparities.’ Meetings were held in Plantersville Sept. 20 and in Anderson Sept. 22 in an attempt to connect with faith-based organizations to assist with data collection. Sherrill Rawlinson, a Regional Evaluation and Performance Specialist in Public Health Region 7 explained the meetings saying, “We’re trying to figure out what it is that’s needed but we can’t do it without having the data and we’re trying to maximize that effort without going door-todoor.”
According to Rawlinson, their focus is on Falls, Grimes and Limestone counties. The type of data being collected includes what health and wellness needs do you see in the community, where do you get your information, who do you trust and why, and who are your resources and why? She said, “Those are our key emphasis areas. We know there is a breakdown of communication, not just within the community but also within ourselves as agencies and getting communication amongst ourselves pushed down.”
Rawlinson suggested there is a decline in ‘trust.” Through the grant, they hope to provide knowledge and resources and further “empower” faith-based organizations which already hold the trust of the community.
Faith-based partners Myriam Virella, CCHW and Extension Program Specialist I with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office explained why they want to build relationships with the faith-based community.
She said, “We have found out that especially in rural areas, that is one of the most trusted sources of information and resources you can find. Our part of this grant is to reach out to rural communities and form partnerships with the faithbased community. We want this to be sustainable. Even though our grant is for a certain amount of time, we want to empower the leaders so afterward they will know where to go to get resources.” While attendance was light at Anderson, Virella said they will continue to seek ways to connect with the county’s faith-based organizations to collect data and provide resources. According to Virella, while the grant covers the community, a separate program through wellchurch. tamu.edu can be tailored to meet each church’s need. Those needs, concerns or questions about chronic diseases and vaccinations may be sent anonymously by completing an application, or visiting howdyhealth. tamu.edu/ccoh, or by using their QR code for faster access. Resources to address the concerns expressed will be relayed back to pastoral staff.
Best care and advocates
Other partners include Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) which provides Community Health Worker (CHW) certification and continuing education as well as vaccination information. CHWs are either paid or volunteer workers who assists with the prevention of chronic disease in underserved areas.
Rawlinson stressed AHEC’s role in making churches aware of AgriLife’s many free programs such as slip/fall, nutrition and diabetes classes as well as making churches aware of programs in other county churches. According to Rawlinson, the grant begins now and runs through May 2023 but can be extended another year. She said, “Everybody deserves the best care whether you have zero money or you have money. You deserve to know what you have as resources. You deserve to have somebody who cares, who will listen to you, and know your resources and your rights, and have somebody to be there to advocate. Not everybody has that.” For more information, contact: myriam.virella@ag.tamu.edu or call (254) 988-7146 or (254) 389-- 5980.