Central Nebraska Community Services Health Literacy Initiative

1. Central Nebraska Community Services Health Literacy Initiative

2. Central Nebraska Community ServicesHelping People &Changing lives since 1965 • Community Action Agency – one of 9 in Nebraska 1,100 Agencies Nationally • The CNCS service area includes 21 Counties in Central and North Central Nebraska • CNCS serves over 12,000 people annually • 4 Service Delivery Departments • 220+ Employees Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Colfax, Custer, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Holt, Howard, Keya Paha, Loup, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Rock, Sherman, Valley and Wheeler

3. A head start on health literacy • Health literacy efforts in our agency began in the CNCS Early Childhood Programs Department • In the beginning, Head Start and Early Head Start families participated in the program • Before starting – CNCS staff attended initial training provided through Johnson & Johnson in California • We weren’t the first one’s to start this initiative in Nebraska. Other’s took the first steps…

4. Head Start and Johnson & Johnson Partner with Researchers at UCLA Anderson in Groundbreaking Study January,2003 Results Report • A pilot study conducted by researchers at UCLA Anderson School of Management. • Head Start parents receive convenient, easy-to-understand health care information . • Head Start families who participated in the health care training program reported a 37 percent drop in visits to health care providers and a 48 percent decrease in emergency room visits in the six months following the training. • Head Start Child and Family Development Program Inc., participated in the pilot in Nebraska. (Central Office: 123 Marion Rd., Hastings, NE / Deb Ross, Executive Director)

5. PROJECT OBJECTIVE: To improve the capacity of program participants to obtain, process and understand basic health information and access services needed to make appropriate health decisions for themselves and the children in their care.

6. Central Nebraska Community Services Programs and Health Literacy Efforts: • CNCS conducted a community needs assessment that identified Health Literacy as a concern within all 21 service area counties. • CNCS Health Services Advisory HSA: Consisting of area medical professionals • Program staff who work directly with individuals and families expressed a need for literature • Program participants were identified as being at risk in regards to health literacy.

7. The Institute for Healthcare Advancement Book Series • IHA has developed a “What to Do for Health” book series written in a 3rd-5th grade reading level. • The books are available in multiple languages and several health topics are available. • CNCS uses the following in program delivery: • What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick • What To Do For Healthy Teeth • What To Do When Your Having a Baby • What To Do For Teen Health

8. These 2 books are used most often in our programs www.iha4health.org

9. Program delivery • Program-staff share IHA health literacy materials during home visitation, parent meetings, and case management sessions. • A1 Page Overview developed by a CNCS nurse is included. • CNCS results mirror the national statistics in using IHA materials. • Pre and post survey results reveal a 78% reduction in unnecessary Hospital Emergency Room and Doctor Office visits. • Parents feel more confident in their ability to care for their sick child.

10. #1 QuestionHow does cncs pay for IHA books?

11. Nonprofit Grant Book Program Application Snapshot from the application:

12. Train the trainer • UCLA , Johnson & Johnson and the Health Care Institute provide excellent training • The Nebraska Head Start Association Sponsored a Train-the Trainer workshop in Grand Island in November 2012. • Head Start Grantees across the state participated. • CNCS nursing coordinators completed the training • Extra bonus – now we are able to purchase ALL IHA books at the reduced cost of $5 each Model : 2 Day Train-the-Trainer Objective: Team health training on complete Health Care Institute (HCI) model and specific health topics from the HCI curriculum

13. Will CNCS continue to use IHA materials? YES! • Despite funding reductions due to sequestration CNCS continues to make Health Literacy a priority • We use a “whole-child” approach. • Healthy children are ready to learn • Confident parents provide better care • Healthy communities thrive

14. Life Course PerspectiveHealth Literacy for Parents has lasting outcomes (IHA) Parents Health Literacy 2nd Generation Improved Health Literacy as Parents Child Health Enhanced School Readiness & Performance Improved Health Literacy for Children & Youth Life Experience Culture Community

15. “Improving health literacy is the key to the success of our national health agenda”Dr. KOH, National Action Plan to improve Health Literacy, Forward, 2010 Health Literacy is an important part of all CNCS service delivery programs • Early Childhood Programs • Health & Nutrition Programs • Family Outreach Case Management • Housing Programs

16. “Empowering parents, benefitting children, creating strong foundations for healthy families”Health Care Institute CNCS Mission Statement: Partnering with Individuals and families to end poverty through community based solutions

17. Thank you! Central Nebraska Community Services 626 N Street / PO Box 509 Loup City, NE 68853 308-745-0780 www.welcome2cncs.com questions@cennecs.org • Executive Director: Jose Zapata • Human Resource Director /Deputy Director: Scott Jensen • Fiscal Department Director: Donna Obermiller • Early Childhood Programs Department Director: Suzan Obermiller • Health & Nutrition Department Director: Kerry Hansel • Family Outreach Department Director: Cheryl Holcomb • Community Economic Development Department Director: Judy Hughes CNCS Presenter: Laura Hilty Resource Development Specialist lhilty@cennecs.org