Brianna Parker

5 Things To Know: Governor’s Budget Proposal, Behavioral Health Grants, Skilled-Nursing Facility Updates

NEW LIVE WELL ON WHEELS BUS: During a Feb. 1 press conference, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and the Health and Human Services Agency announced the addition of a second Live Well on Wheels (WOW) bus. The bus will provide and deliver same-day services such as health care and food assistance, application assistance, or linkage to mental health services. In 2021, the Live WOW bus served nearly 23,000 people at more than 200 community events, mostly for COVID-19 services. Two additional Live WOW buses and one Public Health Lab bus are also on the way. These buses are available by request to attend community events that are co-hosted by community partners.

Cautious Optimism as Hospitalizations Trend in the Right Direction

In the wake of the recent COVID-19 surge, due in large part to the highly transmissible omicron variant, it remains to be seen what the future holds. This fourth surge has shown us that we must be prepared for anything. After plateauing for a bit, hospitalizations started to climb after the holidays, steadily increasing for a few weeks yet not quite reaching the levels of last winter’s surge.

5 Things To Know: Human Trafficking Awareness, CHA Social Media Graphics, SAMHSA Grant Program

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT REPORT: To inform future planning on behavioral health, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in collaboration with its stakeholders, produced a report on California’s behavioral health system: Assessing the Continuum of Care for Behavioral Health Services in California: Data, Stakeholder Perspectives, and Implications. This report reviews data and stakeholder perspectives as DHCS implements major behavioral health initiatives, including the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program; the response to new federal funding opportunities; and a proposal for a Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver in 2022 to strengthen mental health services for people living with serious mental illness, and children and youth living with serious emotional disturbance.

Hospitals Making a Difference

What a difference a year makes. Last year around this time, a massive vaccination effort began as COVID-19 shots began rolling out to sites around the country — and it hasn’t really stopped. Although many had been hopeful that the vaccines could help us put the pandemic behind us once and for all, that reality hasn’t quite panned out. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking time this holiday season to celebrate and reflect on how far we’ve come.

5 Things To Know: HASD&IC Annual Meeting Donations, COVID Vaccinations by ZIP, Transportation Alternatives

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS BY ZIP CODE: San Diego County’s Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Report shows the percentage (as of Dec. 4) of the total population of San Diego County residents who are fully vaccinated, by ZIP code of residence. Note that the data only include vaccines that have been recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry. Some health care providers, including Veteran’s Affairs, the Department of Defense, some tribal entities, and prisons, do not report to the registry.

5 Things To Know: Monoclonal Antibodies Survey, Updated COVID-19 Surge FAQs, Mental Health Resources

MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: A reminder that monoclonal antibodies are available for early treatment of COVID-19 in both San Diego and Imperial counties. More information, including treatment sites and how to refer patients, is available for San Diego County and Imperial County providers. In addition, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requesting that providers complete by Dec. 3 an updated survey to help understand how frequently monoclonal antibodies are being used at health care facilities (both for treatment and as post-exposure prophylaxis). This information will be used to ensure that CDPH adequately addresses supply, education, and/or resource gaps. The updated survey includes new questions to reflect the evolving landscape of distribution. Health care facilities are encouraged to complete the survey, even if they completed it previously.

Thanks, and Gratitude for All You Do

Next week, many of us will gather with our families and friends and pause to reflect on all that we are thankful for. For some it might be the food and drink, for some it might be a new member of the family, and for still others it might just be the simple act of getting together — something that wasn’t advised last year.