| | “Change is made of choices, and choices are made of character.” — Amanda Gorman, Call Us What We Carry | | | | | | | | Doula means a trained, non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support, virtually or in person, to a pregnant person before, during, and after birth.
Black and Latino birthing people experience dramatically worse health outcomes related to birth and are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their White counterparts. Research shows that Doulas can reduce these racial health disparities and improve overall birth outcomes for racially/ethnically diverse pregnant people. | | | | | | | | Sustainable reimbursement for community health workers: Both S.B. 991 and S.B. 10, are moving along—stay tuned for an action alert once S.B. 10 is on the Senate calendar! On April 7th the CHW coalition flooded the Capitol to show widespread support for Medicaid reimbursement. Please see photos below. Hospital financial assistance policies: H.B. 6740, which would make financial assistance more accessible and stop unnecessary medical debt from occurring, is also progressing. Stay tuned for an action alert once the bill is on the House calendar! - Join the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and partners for a discussion of affordability policy proposals on May 3rd in the LOB…more details coming soon!
Doula certification: S.B. 986, which would establish a voluntary state certification process is on the Senate calendar! That means, the Senate can choose to vote on this bill at any time. NOW is a great time to let your state senator know you support doula certification! HES’ 2023 testimony and policy agenda are here. Interested in a specific policy? Have a question? Please reach out. | | | | | | - We are very excited to announce Ayesha R. Clarke as the new Executive Director Health Equity Solutions! Ayesha is a politically savvy advocate with deep relationships in Hartford and across Connecticut. Ayesha has proven to be an extremely competent leader who has conducted herself with grace and diplomacy during her time at HES. Congratulations, Ayesha!
| |  | | |  | Health Equity Week 2023 was a blast! Thank you to all the community health workers, advocates, and partners who used this week as an opportunity for conversation, learning, and sharing ideas for advancing health equity throughout Connecticut. Here's a brief recap: - Check out this Community Conversation & Panel on Navigating Husky, Financial Assistance and Access, hosted by the Health Equity by the People for the People Coalition.
- Missed it? Here are some photos from our Community Health Worker Lobby Day at the Legislative Office Building. Thank you to the Community Health Worker Association of Connecticut and the Connecticut Public Health Association for helping to curate this event!
| | | | | | - We are extremely grateful for this year’s sponsors: Connecticut Health Foundation; Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC); Leading Culture Solutions; Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut; & CARE Community Alliance for Research & Engagement!
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Want a full recap of #HEW2023? Subscribe to our listserv to get the latest news & updates! | | | | Other News.... - Please join the Hartford YWCA and partners on April 27 at 6:00 PM to explore the question, What is Justice? Look at the parameters of justice from a legal standpoint and through the lens of art, what justice looks like from a community perspective. The Art Walk will be curated by Artist, Andre Rochester. Several area artists will be featured and be on hand to discuss justice from a community perspective. Register Here
| |  | - YWCA’s Racial Justice Challenge: The Racial Justice Challenge is a chance to address systemic racism head-on and build tools for dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Register for the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge today!
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April 11-17th marked the 5th annual celebration of Black Maternal Health Week, founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance. For more information check out BMMA’s comprehensive, issues and values-based policy agenda: “Black Mamas Matter: In Policy and Practice” -
Please join the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health for the launch of their Disparity Data Gallery. The galley will be on display May 16th - 31st in the Legislative Office Building Lower Concourse. See flyer for details. | |  | | | | |  | The HES Advantage is an extension of Health Equity Solutions that offers customizable, equitable consulting, facilitation, and training services to agencies, health care systems, and communities with a race-forward approach. | |  |  | We look forward to supporting your organization or group's needs. For more information, please reach out to Kevin Collins, Director of Training and Outreach. | | | | - Health Equity Solutions exists because we know that factors such as race, language, income, education, and location create barriers to a healthy life for many Connecticut residents. Donate to HES May 3rd -4th to help us ensure every Connecticut resident can attain optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Save the date!
| |  | | | | | | |  | Calling all public health-focused graduate students or soon-to-be graduate students! HES is excited to share that we are accepting applicants for the TDE Public Health & Leadership scholarship! You must be a current CT resident and be enrolled/ soon-to-be enrolled in a public health-focused graduate degree with a passion for health equity! ➡️Deadline: 05/19 ➡️Apply: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HNFHSFD ➡️Questions? Please contact Taylor Tucker | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Health Equity Solutions
53 Oak Street | Hartford, Connecticut 06106
860.461.7637 | info@hesct.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
