MCHC deepens community ties to support local health

By Scott Travis on August 20, 2024

As part of National Health Center Week, MCHC Health Centers created more opportunities for community members to connect with the healthcare they need. MCHC also hosted state representatives from the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), key partners in MCHC's effort to continually evolve to meet the health needs of people in Lake and Mendocino Counties.

MCHC leaders with HRSA representative during National Health Center Week

MCHC Director of Organizational Development Kelly Kesey said, "The more we learn about the social determinants of health, the more committed we are to strengthening MCHC's relationships with organizations that contribute to community health and wellness."

Throughout August, MCHC employees volunteered in various outreach activities. Members of the dental staff hosted a booth at the Kids Farmers Market in Ukiah, teaching children how to brush and floss their teeth, handing out free supplies, and offering children $5 coupons to spend at another booth, thereby supporting the other children at the event. Kesey noted the delight of MCHC employees when groups of kids ran up to the MCHC booth, clearly having fun. MCHC also participated in the Willits Farmers Market.

Another group of MCHC volunteers set up a health education clinic at the hotel where many seasonal farm workers stay. MCHC employees provided free screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, and informed farm workers of their eligibility for MediCal health insurance, which is available regardless of a person's immigration status. MCHC board member, Jackie Orozco, coordinated with Mendocino College to host a booth during this event to inform participants about their program to help migrant farm workers earn their high school equivalency certificate.

Approximately 50 farm workers participated, many of whom have contributed to the vitality of local agriculture for years. Often, when they got sick, they went without medical treatment because they were unaware they were eligible for health insurance and believed they could not afford the out-of-pocket expense. Barra of Mendocino is hosting another health education clinic for agricultural workers, and has invited workers from other local ranches and wineries to attend.

In an effort to support the local homeless population, MCHC partnered with Plowshares in Ukiah, a community kitchen and meals-on-wheels program serving more than 70,000 meals a year. There, MCHC employees handed out basic supplies such as sunscreen, toothpaste, tote bags, and more, while reminding people that MCHC provides healthcare to people regardless of their ability to pay. Plowshares staff noted that many unhoused people need socks, so MCHC did a sock drive where employees donated more than 400 pairs of socks. Kesey said she and her colleagues were happy and a little surprised at how powerful an impact this had on the people who received the socks.

MCHC also did outreach in Lake County, partnering with Big Oak Peer Center, a resource center offering assistance and support with mental health, substance use, and homelessness in Lake County, and the Circle of Native Minds Cultural Center in Lakeport, a peer support center that provides culturally relevant, wellness-oriented services for the Native American communities of Lake County.

MCHC CEO Rod Grainger shared his gratitude for the generosity of MCHC employees, and also for the support of state and federal agencies like CPCA and HRSA, without which MCHC would not be able to support community health the way it does. During the CPCA visit, MCHC leaders thanked CPCA for its political advocacy on behalf of rural health centers and for providing networking opportunities where health center leaders could connect with peers and be inspired by work being done across the state. During the HRSA visit, Grainger shared that without the HRSA funding provided during COVID, MCHC may not have been able to keep its doors open.

He reminded those in attendance that at the beginning of the pandemic, things were changing quickly, and with HRSA funding, MCHC was able to pivot from in-person care to remote care almost overnight. MCHC installed video conferencing equipment and other essential upgrades, so it could provide medical treatment, behavioral health consultations, and vaccine clinics throughout the pandemic.

MCHC also depends on CPCA to expand care options and reduce red tape. With policy support from CPCA, MCHC hopes laws will eventually change to allow health centers to bill for more than one healthcare visit per day. In bigger metropolitan areas, asking patients to return to a health center the next day or the next week may not seem like a major inconvenience, but in remote parts of Lake and Mendocino Counties, getting to a health center can take several hours, so it would be far better for patients to set up several visits in one day; for example, medical, dental, and behavioral health appointments all on the same day. The current laws prevent health centers from billing for multiple health care visits on the same day.

Grainger said, "There are many people in our communities who, through no fault of their own, simply haven't been able to overcome the barriers in their way when it comes to connecting with a healthcare provider. We are looking for ways to break down those barriers. Sometimes that means taking the care to people. It is awesome to see the people we met at these events connecting with and learning from our staff. We have to do more of this."