Dear Health Ministries Network Community,
The flowers are beautiful, but the rain is also abundant. In the past weeks, the rain has felt like a deluge of tears, as we pray for the families and friends of the victims of mass shootings, from Buffalo, NY to Uvalde, TX. We grieve today, as the first of the children and teachers who were killed in Uvalde are being laid to rest. And today, let us pray and take good action to prevent violence from reigning in this world.
The question is always: "What actions do I take? How do I make a difference? How do we act with wisdom in our minds and love in our hearts to manifest healing and a healthier world?"
Many of us do this each day through our work, faith communities, families and prayer life. And yet, there's always room to learn and grow, particularly in the areas of health and safety. This month is National Safety Month, and so I'm including not only general safety resources, but also, specific firearms safety resources for us to read and share. This is a topic near to my heart because, throughout my own life, I've encountered firearms in a number of situations, from being on the USMA Pistol Team in college and carrying firearms in the military to leaving firearms behind with thoughtful intention, only to investigate the unspeakable tragedy of youth and adult firearms deaths when I served as a deputy coroner.
This month and perhaps through the summer, we're shifting our monthly meeting schedule a bit to accommodate the schedule of our speakers. Our monthly HMN meeting will be held on Monday, June 13th from 12-1pm and will feature a Zoom presentation by Jennifer Gillick, Program Director for the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Northwest Chapter. We encourage you to invited faith community members and community members who are interested in this topic to attend.
Finally, it's the moment so many of us have been waiting for: new website launch! We have been working tirelessly with a web designer on our website updates, and we feel ready for you to check out the new site! We will take a closer look at the website at our monthly meeting, but feel free to look around.
Wishing you continued peace, health, and love. Take good care today!
Yours in gratitude and hope,
Sarah Lane
Executive Director
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day at the Catherine Mahaffey Wellness Fair on May 21st at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. And thanks to a grant from the Chuckanut Health Foundation's Aging Well Whatcom, and strong partnerships with the EWRRC, YMCA, Mt. Baker Foundation, as well as coordination with SeaMar and Promotores, provided blood pressure checks, health education and the distribution of blood glucometers and supplies to residents of the Mt. Baker Foothills Community and beyond. Here, Sunny Garza, RN and FCN, works with Mary Latta to serve a guest at our Ask a Nurse station at the Fair.
HMN June Meeting: All About Parkinson's Disease
Did you know that, according to the APDA: "There are an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. living with Parkinson’s disease and more than 10 million people worldwide. Most people who develop the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease do so sometime after the age of 50, but Parkinson’s disease can affect younger persons as well. Approximately 10% of Parkinson’s diagnoses occur before age 50—these diagnoses are called Early Onset (or Young Onset) Parkinson’s disease?"
We invite you to join Jennifer Gillick, Program Director for the APDA, NW Chapter, to learn more about Parkinson's Disease as well as the many resources available to support our Parkinson's community.
After Jennifer's presentation, Sarah Lane will orient you to our new website and talk a little bit about the Listserv, created and designed as a space for our FCNs/HMs/CHAs to ask questions and respond in community.
Everyone is welcome! Please join us via Zoom on Monday, June 13th, 12-1:30pm.
Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 870 3130 1954
Passcode: 780083
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,87031301954#,,,,*780083# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,87031301954#,,,,*780083# US (Houston)
Please contact Sarah Lane with questions at director@healthministriesnetwork.net
You are invited: HMN Foundations Course 2022
You are invited to celebrate our graduates from the Foundations Course 2022! They've been working at it since April. Bill Lonneman and Carol Nicolay have given them a life-changing experience. And they are ready to begin their practice. Will you join us in blessing them and celebrating them as they join us in health ministry?
Our class is graduating from Montana, Alabama and Washington, and so we will host our graduation via Zoom. While we'd love to meet in person, we love that we can come from all over--and that Zoom makes it easy for many of you to join in the celebration from home. Please join us to welcome the following graduates:
Deborah Bernard, Bellingham, WA
Rebecca Cavanagh, Blaine, WA
Cheryl Fletcher, Huntly, MT
Jane Hamilton, Billings, MT
Emily Holden, Lynden, WA
Anita Huntley, Snohomish, WA
Kerri Meenderinck, Lynden, WA
Carmen Payne, Warrior, AL
Who: We are celebrating the graduation of the following people:
When: June 11th, 3:15pm
More Learning Opportunities from North Sound Accountable Communities of Health (NSACH)
Perinatal Mental Health Best Practices | June 3 & June 9
This two-session training will provide the opportunity for clinical and non-clinical professionals to gain confidence in screening, referrals, and treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS). This event is free and Continuing Education credits will be offered. If you are interested in this training please register here.
Embracing Uncertainty | June 7
Parents/guardians are encouraged to join Dr. Terada as she discusses the effects of our current times and the resulting role that anxiety can play in a family. Parents/guardians will learn how to support teenagers through adaptive open communication skills, as well as learn how resiliency in the home can be a key factor in helping adolescents thrive in uncertain times. For more information and to register please go here.
Introduction to Intimate Partner Domestic Violence | June 16
Shannon Snapp, Shelter/Crisis Team Program Director for Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties, will discuss different facets in which intimate domestic violence can take form. Some of what will be covered include- the dynamics of D.V. relationships, forms of abuse, D.V. and substance abuse, the cycle of violence, red flags, myths, excuses, and the reality of domestic violence. What you can do to support a victim, will also be discussed. To register please go here.
Stages of Change: Understanding the Framework and Primary Tasks for Recovery Residents | June 24
This webinar will provide an overview and development of the model, its theories, and a close look at each of the six stages. Additionally, we'll review the strategies and resources that staff can use to properly support individuals to continue moving forward through the stages. To register for this webinar, please go here.
Community Events & Info
In an effort to connect our volunteers with relevant resources, we publish community events and information in our monthly newsletter and on our website. Email director@healthministriesnetwork.net to add your own.
It's National Safety Month
There are so many facets to safety, and right now, we can use them all! I'm including a number of links here to keep the wide variety of links to good resources to share with and support your faith community to meet individuals and communities where they are on their journey. Please make note of the section on Firearms Safety and the resources available to our community to support this critical facet of safety.
Children/Youth at Home
Firearms Safety
Faith Community Safety
Fall Prevention for Older Adults
Do you need other safety resources? Please get in touch. Health Ministries Network is happy to connect you with needed resources wherever you are.
HHS: Resources for Responding to Violence in Our Communities
Review the information below for information, guidance, and suggestions for how to respond when tragedy occurs in the wake of violence in our communities.
Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event: following resources include tips for survivors of disasters or traumatic events
General information on responding to incidents of mass violence provides suggestions and guidance for addressing incidents of mass violence.
Tips for Parents and Families living in communities affected by mass violence
Disaster Behavioral Health Resource Center includes resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for meeting the unique needs of children and adolescents in and after disasters.
Also see the following to support children, youth and adults work through trauma and move toward healing.
Help Kids Cope App
Resilience and Coping Intervention (RCI)
Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing
Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
The following resources are specifically available en Español.
Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)
Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen
Talking to Teens about Violence (En Español)
For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence(En Español)
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
Resources for Families Impacted by the Infant Formula Shortage
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has compiled the following resources to assist families and caregivers trying to find nutritionally appropriate food for their babies. The below information comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Washington WIC program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
If you have concerns about your child’s health, contact your child’s primary care provider’s office
For people needing a connection to health care providers, call the Help Me Grow WA hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for referrals and to apply for food and health resources in Washington.
For WIC participants and families, contact your local WIC clinic to get infant formula benefits replaced or change baby formulas. WIC has expanded the types of formula they provide to offer more choices for families participating in the program. If you can’t reach your local clinic, call the state WIC office at 1-800-841-1410 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For participants in Basic Food (SNAP), visit the Parenthelp123 web page or call 1-800-322-2588
Please see resources for families and caregivers impacted by the infant formula shortage in Spanish here
COVID-19 Test Kit Updates
The CDC can now supply over-the-counter tests as well as BinaxNOW point-of-care tests to camps and recreational or educational organizations who serve children and youth during the summer months. Any orders for rapid antigen point-of-care tests and over-the-counter tests must be made by June 21. For more information, and how to order please go here.
The FDA has issued amended Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for several tests to extend expiration dating based on additional quality data from stability studies. If you ordered a free test from sayyescovidhometest.org, and the box and contents have been stored safely and remain intact, you may add three months to the “Use by” date (YYYY-MM-DD) on the box of your iHealth test kit. Please see the graphic provided by the Washington State Department of Health.
A reminder that there are two options for every U.S. household to order COVID-19 tests for free:
U.S. households are now able to order an additional eight free at-home COVID tests through the USPS program — bringing the total number of free tests available to each household since the start of the program to 16.
Every household can order 2 free test kits every month through the Say Yes! To Covid Test program. Each kit has 5 FREE COVID tests, meaning your household can request up to 10 tests every month
On Demand and Live Online Advance Care Planning Classes
PeaceHealth is offering "Your Voice Your Choice" classes online to help people complete their advance directives and durable power of attorney documents. Sharing your wishes for the care you want if you are critically ill can bring you closer to the people you love. Making your wishes known clearly in advance of a crisis is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself, your family and friends.
Classes are offered the first Wednesday of every month 1:00-3:00 PM. The class is also on-demand and can be watched online anytime. Learn more at: www.peacehealth.org/advance-care-planning.
Stories from our Community
May was Nurses Month! We may have been too busy, caring for people in faith communities and beyond to celebrate. However, as this month closes, there are many nourishing stories to share. Please read some of the beautiful Stories of Community Engagement here.
Creative Offering
This month, all of our creativity has gone into getting the new website up and running. Please take a look by clicking on the screenshot to the left, and spend some time with our favorite Switchboard Prayers here.
Support HMN
Help us support the invaluable work of faith community nurses and health ministers in northwest Washington by donating today!
And thank you to our fiscal sponsor,
Health Ministries Network is a nonprofit serving Northwest Washington with a mission to link Faith Community Nurses & Health Ministers, congregations and local resources, to nurture community health equity with spiritual well-being.
Health Ministries Network is affiliated with the Chuckanut Health Foundation.
800 E. Chestnut St., Ste 1A
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-788-6408