September 2020 Health and Wellness Updates
Latest from MNsure, Chemical Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Tobacco Prevention and Education, Diabetes Prevention Program, and Family Advocacy.
Health Insurance Enrollment – MNsure
HAP closed our Hmong Village satellite office in April in response to the work from home order. During the summer months, we continued to provide service to community members through phone and mailings. Since August, we moved our operation onsite and are currently stationed in the Paj Ntaub Center at Arcade Office on Mondays and Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. While we do not turn away walk-ins, we prefer that community members schedule appointments. Minnesota’s open enrollment period for coverage starting in 2021 will run from Sunday, November 1, 2020 through Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Consumers will be able to view and compare 2021 plans in Mid-October so they can be prepared to enroll starting November 1st.
Chemical Health
Both our Hmong Men and Women Recovery Support Groups continue to host monthly group sessions and one-on-ones. Group sessions take place online via WebEx. If you know anyone interested in learning more about our recovery support services, please connect them to our Recovery Support team. Contact Tou Yang at touy@hmong.org or Wanda Vue at wandav@hmong.org.
Mental Health and Well Being
Mental Health Coordinator Rachel Vang represents HAP at gatherings of the Mental Health Wellness Action Team (MHWAT). MHWAT was formed in 2016 as a part of a response to the integrated health care needs of St. Paul Ramsey County and is one of five St. Paul Ramsey County Community Health Improvement Goals. MHWAT meets monthly and is a culturally diverse team of over 10 different organizations. MHWAT organizations include HAP, American Indian Family Center, Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative, Restoration for All Inc, Saint Paul Public School, and more. MHWAT’s goal is to heal and uplift the voices of those community members who have been suppressed for centuries. We know that our own cultural communities know the best and varied ways to bring healing to our community members. Please reach out to Rachel at rachelv@hmong.org for mental health resources and for more information.
Tobacco Prevention and Education
PaDee Vang joined the Health & Wellness team this summer as our new Tobacco Prevention Coordinator. PaDee has been busy connecting with stakeholders, youth program participants, and partners to share the latest tobacco prevention and cessation resources with our community. Since the start of 2020, HAP’s Tobacco Prevention Team has been supporting Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in redeveloping Minnesota’s Quit Partner program. This fall, MDH will launch the Quit Partner program online.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Our diabetes prevention program is a community-based initiative that supports closing the gap in the health status of Southeast Asians in Minnesota and supports advancing health equity through building healthy communities. During this time of COVID-19, we continue to facilitate diabetes prevention cohorts and sessions with our program participants through regular telephone and email check-ins. This fall, we look forward to offering online curriculum to support more community members in their health journey.
Family Advocacy
The core focus of our family advocacy work is to support community members to attain their health potential. We do this work by providing comprehensive support services to young Southeast Asian community members. Our team is excited to share that we will be partnering with Community School of Excellence (CSE) and our 21st CCLC program to provide regular groups sessions with CSE students.