April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

San Antonio, TX – Today Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) was blanketed with hues of blue shirts, pins and apparel in support of victims of child abuse and neglect. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This month and throughout the year, MHM encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Bexar County a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children's social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.

Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted. The six protective factors are nurturing and attachment; knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development; parental resilience; social connections; concrete supports for parents; and social and emotional developmental well-being.

"April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children," explains Kevin C. Moriarty, President & CEO. "Everyone's participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development."

In support of these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, its Child Welfare Information Gateway, the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, and the Center for the Study of Social Policy – Strengthening Families have created Making Meaningful Connections 2015 Resource Guide. The guide, designed for service providers who work throughout the community to strengthen families, is available on Information Gateway's website: https://childwelfare.com/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resource-guide/.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, contact info@mhm.org.

March is National Social Work Month. Since 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has celebrated social workers with an official monthly observance. This year, the theme is "Social Work Paves the Way for Change." It promotes the accomplishments the profession has achieved during the past six decades, including its positive changes in society and for individuals.

During the month of March, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) will honor the professionals who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others—social workers and counselors. We will celebrate National Social Work Month with activities to express our gratitude for the social workers at MHM who are committed to the betterment of the least served in South Texas. Festivities include a recognition luncheon and commissioning ceremony for members of our clinical behavioral health services team. MHM's community counselors will be commissioned later this year.

We congratulate our team members on their continued impact in the lives of the adults and children in our communities affected by mental illness. Our staff's faithfulness to MHM's core values, dedication to the social work profession and compassionate care make us proud to work with the best team in South Texas.

Since our founding, MHM has taken action to help pave the way for change. In 2015, MHM invested $8,298,846 through community grants in the area of mental and behavioral health.

"The need for quality mental health care is great in South Texas. I applaud the team of devoted social workers and counselors who are committed to meeting the needs of the least served by helping to improve mental and behavioral health outcomes. Their professionalism and enthusiasm is unmatched. They are changing lives everyday," shared Kathryn Jones, Director of Behavioral Health Services.

Connect with us on MHM.org as we spotlight our social workers on MHM social media during March.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is pleased to welcome Mrs. Bridget Lamme-Kerr, PHR as its new Director of Human Resources (HR). Mrs. Lamme-Kerr is an engaging professional with over 18 years of HR experienceand brings with her a proven record of delivering results and influencing change. Her career includes a recent role as vice president of human resources at Harland Clarke (formerly Clarke American, Inc.). As Director of Human Resources, Bridget is responsible for the organization's human resource operations for over 350 team members.

Bridget's recognized leadership talent, coupled with her proven professional successes, make her an ideal fit at MHM–a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

Bridget earned a bachelor's degree from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas and holds the prestigious Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation. She is an active member of the Junior League of San Antonio where she currently serves on the Goodwill Partnership Committee.

Bridget and her husband Sam live in Seguin, Texas.

Grant will provide specialized, geographic workforce training for TLU students

The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies estimates the state will need 293,000 registered nurses by 2020. With a $250,000 foundational gift, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. supports Texas Lutheran University's RN to BSN degree track by recognizing the state's growing demand for nurses. Recruiting new nurses and retaining current ones is key for Texas, as is impacting underrepresented rural areas by creating a 21st century health care workforce.

"This grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries is vital to our nursing program," said TLU President Dr. Stuart Dorsey. "By using innovative educational strategies, advanced technology, and targeting active RNs to improve their knowledge, skills and competencies at the baccalaureate level, TLU can produce nursing graduates to better serve a diverse and rural South Texas. The RN to BSN degree track also adds to TLU's longstanding reputation of strong programs in the sciences and health professions."

With this foundational gift, TLU nursing students will receive specialized and geographic workforce training through collaboration with local hospitals and colleges like Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, Baptist Health System's Resolute Health, and Alamo Community Colleges. This specialized training can lead to better job placement, increased wages, and job retention by targeting traditionally underrepresented nurses who need to improve their knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the demands of today's health care market. The established RN to BSN track allows students to adapt seamlessly into the program. TLU's Director of Nursing, Dr. Kathie Aduddell, has extensive experience directing similar programs in rural settings at Kennesaw State University, Victoria College, Radford University and Fullerton College.

"We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries are proud to partner with TLU and support their efforts to create opportunities for RNs to earn their BSN degrees," said Kevin C. Moriarty, president and chief executive officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "Nurses are often the first set of hands that help when we are in crisis, and we know there aren't enough of these critical helping hands in our state for those who need care. This partnership is part of Methodist Healthcare Ministries' overall strategy to increase the number of health care professionals in Texas, which to date has included a total investment of more than $19 million in support of programs like TLU's and championing legislation to address the nursing shortage at the state level."

About Methodist Health Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The mission also includes MHM's one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest health care system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.

This article originally appeared on the Texas Luthern University website, to view click here.

New report finds expanded Pre-K, health care coverage among policy solutions that could help make Texas the #1 state for kids

AUSTIN – One in four Texas children lives in poverty, threatening their potential and the state's continued prosperity. According to State of Texas Children 2015, a new Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) report released today, slight improvements in health care and school nutrition don't compensate for inadequate investments in education and child protection.

Detailed data are available for every county in Texas. Please contact Bernstein@cppp.org for child well-being data for your county.

"Texas is consistently ranked one of the nation's worst states for children, but we can make our state the best place for kids if we enact smart public policies now," said Ann Beeson, Executive Director of CPPP. "With 1 in 11 U.S. kids living in Texas, the future of young Texans will determine the future of our country."

Key findings include:

• One in four Texas children lives in poverty. For a family of four, that's less than $24,000 per year. The high child poverty rate combined with a relatively good parental employment rate means that many hard-working Texas parents aren't earning enough to provide adequately for their kids.
• Despite modest gains for kids, Texas is ranked 49th for the percentage of children with health insurance (13 percent uninsured). Kids are more likely to be uninsured when their parents are uninsured, and Texas continues to have the highest rate of uninsured adults in the nation.
• Nearly two million Texas kids live in households where access to nutritious food is limited and uncertain, threating children's health and ability to learn. Expanded school nutrition programs have successfully provided more meals to students, keeping kids healthier and helping them learn.

Key policy recommendations:

• Invest sufficiently in public education to meet student needs.
• Expand Pre-K statewide to high quality, full-day programs for currently eligible students.
• Close the Coverage Gap, and expand health insurance coverage options for families.
• Provide more support for informal kinship caregivers, and streamline the process for accessing kinship care benefits.
• Raise the state minimum wage, and change the state law that prohibits Texas cities from setting their own minimum wage.

Lawmakers have a tremendous opportunity this legislative session to adopt policy solutions that can help children and all Texans. From expanded early childhood education to health insurance coverage that protects children and families, policy solutions are available to lawmakers now that can improve the state for Texas children.

"The decisions legislators make at the Capitol have major implications for our children," said Jennifer Lee, Research Associate at CPPP and the lead author of State of Texas Children 2015. "It's time for all of us to stand up for Texas kids."

State of Texas Children 2015 is part of Texas Kids Count, a project of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, and is supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. The report was released at a breakfast presentation in Austin today attended by over 300 child advocates, policy makers and concerned Texans. Click here for a livestream and archived video of the presentation. Click here to read the full report.

Celebrating 20 years of "Serving Humanity to Honor God"

In 1995, Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital partnered with what is now known as Hospital Corporation of America, or HCA, to create the Methodist Healthcare System (MHS). Through this partnership, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) was founded.

Since founding, MHM has retained one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas—and provides local governance to ensure that the needs of the greater community are served. MHM redistributes revenue received from its one-half ownership seat into programs to deliver and promote health care as well as enhance access to care, with particular concern to include the least served.

MHM has experienced tremendous growth expanding from one program of $300,000 for 1,100 clients in 1996, to a budgeted expenditure of nearly $75.9 million in 2014 to provide nearly 900,000 client encounters.

20 Years of Caring

• • 1996: Wesley Primary Care Clinic formed to employ physicians for community health care.
  • 1997: MHM successfully advocates for hiring of dentists by 501c3 entities serving low-income uninsured patients.
  • 1997: Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Clinic opened to offer primary medical care, health education and support services on San Antonio's East side.
  • 1997: MHM introduces the Wesley Nurse Program and Parenting Programs.
  • 2001: MHM assumes ownership of two School Based Health Centers established to offer health care services in Marion and Schertz to school-aged children and their siblings up to age 21 enrolled in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD.
  • 2002: Community Counseling program established in the Rio Grande Valley. Program expanded to include services in Laredo and the Coastal Bend.
  • 2005: Moved into new Corporate Office situated in the heart of San Antonio's Medical Center.
  • 2006: $10 million awarded in grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers for capital projects.
  • 2008: $7.1 million in funding provided to Haven for Hope, a campus in San Antonio providing residential and service space to those faced with homelessness.
  • 2009: After a $12 million capital investment, the new Wesley Health & Wellness Center was opened in San Antonio's South side.
  • 2011: Annual grants to like-minded organizations reaches $20 million.
  • 2013: MHM welcomed its first Chief Operating Officer, George Thomas.
  • 2014: Awarded $10 million from the Corporation for National and Community Service's Social Innovation Fund to serve as an intermediary; the Sí Texas Project, aimed at improving health outcomes in communities with high rates of poverty, depression, obesity and associated risk factors, was created.

Throughout the year, MHM will be celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Please join us on social media to follow along as we look forward to continued growth and success. #MHM20th

Alice, Texas—To encourage a healthy lifestyle in the community, the First United Methodist Church will be hosting free fitness classes for the remainder of the year.

The fitness program 'Sister's in Sweat' is head by Amy Gunn, Wesley nurse for Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

The classes start at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday in the Mary Dinn Reynolds Hall at the church. The exercises are low impact, indoors and open to the public.

"Our goal is to get out in the community and give help to those that need to know the importance of being healthy and provide them with a place to get information, for free," Gunn said.

Since February is American Heart Month, Gunn said she stresses the importance of exercise and healthy habits to her students by giving out information on health conditions such heart disease and diabetes.

"Diabetes and other health problems are big issues. This program gives everybody access to information on how to be healthier," she said.

Free monthly health screenings will be available to those in attendance.

Gunn said she measures everyone's weight and blood pressure to keep track of it, so participants can see the difference exercise can do to their bodies.

For more information or to get a schedule for the fitness classes, visit Gunn at the church or call 494-8485.

This article originally appeared in the Alice Echo News Journal, and can be viewed by clicking here.

The KIDS COUNT Data Book is an annual publication that assesses child well-being nationally and across the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Using an index of 16 indicators, the 2014 report ranks states on overall child well-being and in four domains: (1) economic well-being, (2) education, (3) health, and (4) family and community. The report also provides national trends, comparing the latest data with mid-decade statistics.
 
The 2015 Data Book is the 26th edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's signature publication. The report also examines trends in child well-being since 1990, the year of the first report. It highlights positive policies and practices that have improved child health and development and features stories from several states on advocacy efforts that have improved outcomes for kids and families.
 
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has joined forces with the Center for Public Policy Priorities, an independent public policy organization, to release the 2015 Data Book.
Join legislators, legislative staff members, community leaders, child advocates, service providers, local elected officials and more in Austin on March 4 for a breakfast briefing and presentation of the report.

The event is free and open to the public, and attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the new report. Continental breakfast will be served. To register for the State of Texas Children Report Release, click here.
 
About the Center for Public Policy Priorities
 
The Center for Public Policy Priorities is an independent public policy organization that uses data and analysis to advocate for solutions that enable Texans of all backgrounds
to reach their full potential. For more information, visit http://www.forabettertexas.org.
 
About The Anne E. Casey Foundation
 
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children at risk of poor educational, economic, social and health outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.aecf.org. 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is proudly participating in American Heart Month. Locally, nearly 28 percent of San Antonio area deaths each year are attributed to cardiovascular disease.

The good news is heart disease can often be prevented when people make health choices and manage their health conditions.

MHM is joining efforts with communities, health professionals and families to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

• On Feb. 6, MHM is participating in National Wear Red Day®. Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women because it's not just a man's disease. In fact, more women than men die every year from heart disease and stroke. National Wear Red Day® — the first Friday each February — is a day to bring attention to this staggering fact. You're encouraged to wear red, know your cardiovascular risk and take action to live longer, healthier lives. For more information, please visit GoRedForWomen.org. MHM is also a table sponsor for the Go Red for Women Summit in San Antonio on Feb. 6.
• On Feb. 28 the Vestido Rojo…De Todo Corazón Women's Conference will take place in San Antonio. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for Hispanic women. The Vestido Rojo conference is being held in conjunction with Go Red Por Tu Corazon, the American Heart Association's nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power of Hispanic women to band together and wipe out heart disease. Vestido Rojo is an initiative to address the needs of Hispanic women in San Antonio. For more information, click here. MHM is a community partner sponsor for Vestido Rojo.
• Throughout the month of February, MHM will use its social media presence to spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.

You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk:

• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.

For more information, visit MHM.org.