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Local Community Group Wins Model eHealth Technology Award

July 5, 2015/in News /by Geoffrey Barley

Project Partners:
Lead Agency and Project Manager: Connecting to Care
Collaborating Partners: Tahoe Forest Health System’s Regional Cancer Center, Truckee, CA, Incline Village, NV
Eastern Plumas Health Care District, Portola, Indian Valley, Graeagle, Loyalton

Description of broadband dependent delivery of health applications advanced by this project:

The Sierra-Nevada Model eHealth Cancer Community project will leverage Tahoe Forest Health System’s comprehensive Cancer Center services to outlaying rural communities through their capacity to provide advanced information technology. This project will create streamlined, patient-friendly access to oncology consultations and follow-up ancillaries at the patient’s medical home community. These cancer eHealth services will bridge the distance between patients in rural and underserved areas with an oncologist and/or other health specialists such as palliative care or clinical psychiatry. This greatly reduces time and distance barriers for rural patients. Rural cancer patients will access enhanced quality of care serves using video and file transfer technology. Providers will be enabled to discuss and exchange information more quickly and efficiently. This will assist in the prevention, early detection, treatment and cure of cancer; and also rehabilitation in the management of cancer.

The Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS) Cancer Center already uses technology to advance cancer cure in their community through the UC Davis Cancer Care Network program. Through the use of the Center’s Multiple Control Unit (MCU), other rural telehealth sites would benefit from connecting to continuing medical education, tumor conferences, grand rounds, case reviews, training and other eHealth services. The Cancer Center will work with UC Davis to add the project’s rural sites to the virtual tumor board project. The Cancer Center has the capability of reading and comparing diagnostic imaging studies and will provide this expertise to distant rural sites, allowing them to transmit their images to the Cancer Center for increased quality of care for cancer patients.

The outlaying rural sites have patients who are already accessing the Tahoe Forest Health System Cancer Center. This project will build on those relationships to improve the continuum of cancer care in the region allowing rural patients to receive many services via telehealth in their local communities rather than having to travel to the Cancer Center. The Tahoe Forest Health System Board of Directors and the Eastern Plumas Healthcare District Board of Directors are actively collaborating to improve access to services and care in the region across additional needed specialty care not available in Plumas and Sierra Counties.

Sierra-Nevada Model eHealth Cancer Community Project

July 5, 2015/in News /by Geoffrey Barley

“We are thrilled to be part of this important statewide initiative and it could not come at a better time,” said Susan Ferrier, Connecting to Care Executive Director. “The award not only enables us to enhance health access and quality care for residents throughout Nevada, Sierra and Plumas Counties, it is an honor to be recognized as an organization that can provide a model for innovations in health care that other communities can use in the future.” The grant project is entitled The Sierra-Nevada Model eHealth Cancer Community and increases access to care in Sierra, Nevada and Plumas Counties.

“We are excited to partner with Connecting to Care,” said Jana Katz-Bell, who is directing the project for UC Davis Health System. “It brings together a variety of community interests and represents exactly the model we need to help lead the way for others.Connecting to Care will pioneer new approaches in health care and ensure that California can integrate the latest health-related technologies in communities throughout the state.”

The Model eHealth Communities project and its related eHealth Broadband Training Program are funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The initiative has received matching funds from the California HealthCare Foundation, National Coalition for Health Integration, University of California, and United Healthcare.

Coinciding with the Model eHealth Community awards is the launch of an online training curriculum specifically designed to support the transition to technology-enabled health and health care. The new online program, accessed through the eHealth Broadband Adoption Training website (http://ehealthtraining.extensiondlc.net/), offers courses in the following areas: California Telehealth Network Orientation, Broadband Adoption, Telehealth, Consumer and Clinical Health Informatics, Electronic Health Records/ Health Information Exchange Adoption, and Change Management.

Consumers also will benefit from the training program because its educational materials will be available in local libraries, community colleges and at community centers. Studies show that 85.7% of rural libraries are the only provider of free public computer and internet access in their communities. This grant will provide thirteen computers to the Nevada County Public Library system, the Sierra College Truckee Library and the Tahoe Truckee Cancer Center Resource Center. In addition to the training and educational materials, these computers will enable Nevada County residents to have free public access to eHealth resources, chronic disease management information and Personal Health Records (PHR). PHRs give consumers the ability to obtain and manage their own electronic health record which is entirely the property of the individual and not tethered to insurance or health facilities.

Connecting to Care received two Model eHealth Communities awards from UC Davis Health System and the California Telehealth Network (CTN) for its commitment to advancing health and health care using the latest in telecommunications technologies. The awards, part of more than $5 million in funding support to 15 community groups across California, are designed to assist communities in becoming best-practice examples in the use and integration of technology to improve health and health care for local residents.The award provides approximately $325,000 worth of eHealth technologies, telehealth equipment and specialized, community-based training and management to help local sites connect to and use the new broadband system now being established by the CTN.

For more information about the Model eHealth Communities program, visit the website.http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cht/initiatives/BTOP/index.html

Connecting to Care
120 No. Auburn Street, Suite 212
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Executive Director: Susan Ferrier
Board of Directors Chairperson: Elizabeth Mantle
Phone: 530-274-0292
Fax: 530-274-2900
Website: www.connectingtocare.org

Connecting to Care Wins Two Awards

July 5, 2015/in News /by Geoffrey Barley

Modoc County Model eHealth Community Project

“This award brings tremendous benefits for a hospital like ours,” said Wanda Grove, administrator for Modoc County’s Surprise Valley Community Hospital, located in a remote part of Northeastern California and considered to be the smallest hospital in the state. “It will enable us to expand and enhance our existing technologies in ways that complement everything from electronic medical records to distance learning.” Grove, whose hospital will receive its telehealth equipment through the nonprofit organization Connecting to Care, added: “Without good and secure telemedicine connections, residents here have to travel a minimum of 3.5 hours to be seen by a specialist. If others can learn from our eHealth efforts here in Cedarville, then this award will benefit not only local residents but people around the state.”

“We are thrilled to be part of this important statewide initiative and it could not come at a better time,” said Susan Ferrier, Executive Director of Connecting to Care, the Lead Agency and Project Manager. “The award not only enables us to enhance health access and quality care for residents throughout Modoc County, it is an honor to recognized as an organization that can provide a model for innovations in health care that other communities can use in the future.”

As awardees, Canby Family Practice, Modoc County Mental Health, Modoc Medical Center, Strong Family Health Center, Surprise Valley Hospital District, Warner Mountain Tribal Clinic will all be implementing such diverse eHealth applications as remote specialty and critical care consultations between local health providers and specialists affiliated with academic medical centers; telemedicine health management; health education for consumers and continuing education for health-care professionals; as well as health-care workforce development programs. It is an initiative that will provide benefits well beyond just the 15 community groups who were awarded funding.

“We are excited to partner with Modoc County,” said Jana Katz-Bell, who is directing the project for UC Davis Health System. “It brings together a variety of community interests and represents exactly the model we need to help lead the way for others. Modoc County’s rural health providers will pioneer new approaches in health care and ensure that California can integrate the latest health-related technologies in communities throughout the state.”

Additionally, the Modoc County Public Library will receive two computers to allow county residents access to eHealth and chronic disease management information. County residents will also have access to their personal health records (PHR) and the grant will provide community access to establishing their own PHR which is controlled entirely by the patient in regards to providing access to health providers and insurance companies. Information will be coming on public informational meetings and workshops on developing your own Personal Health Record.

The Model eHealth Communities project and its related eHealth Broadband Training Program are funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The initiative has received matching funds from the California HealthCare Foundation, National Coalition for Health Integration, University of California, and United Healthcare.

Consumers also will benefit from the training program because its educational materials will be available in local libraries, community colleges and at community centers.

For more information about the Modoc Model eHealth Communities program, please contact:

Susan Ferrier, Executive Director

The Path to Independence and Integrated Health

Connecting to Care is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, mental health issues and barriers to health resources due to living in rural communities. Individuals benefit from an integrated approach to meet more than one need. We offer a spectrum of services including; Assistive Technology, TelePsychiatry, and Behavioral Health. We accept referrals from many organizations such as; Regional Centers, Dept. of Rehab, Schools, Residential Group Homes, Physicians, SLP’s and Physical Therapist. Staffed by professionals, our programs are tailored to bring out the abilities of the people we serve.

November 11, 2015

Dr. Roxy Szeftel, MD – Letter of Support

I am writing to give my whole-hearted support for Connecting to Care and the services this outstanding non-profit provides.

The Department of Psychiatry has been providing telepsychiatry services to consumers of Far Northern Regional Center for over a decade and has been collaborating with Connecting to Care for that purpose. Our faculty has a collaborative relationship with the founders of Connecting to Care, who established a program that provides services for FNRC clients in need of specialty psychiatry services not available anywhere in the FNRC service area.

I have experienced firsthand the successes made by consumers when utilizing the Connecting to Care Assistive Technology Services and its positive impact on the following;

Increased access to self-advocacy opportunities for consumers with the use of Assistive Technology.
Providing a replicable, state of the art model for employment through the application of technology for specialty populations.

Having worked in telepsychiatry since 1996, I am well aware of the difficulty in designing integrated programs and then maintaining services. They have been easy to set up, yet have had poor sustainability and have come and gone. I am also aware of the need to adapt employment and self-advocacy opportunities to the regional center population and the local service network.

I believe the staff at Connecting to Care has done an exceptional job with this. Suzi Coleman is a gifted administrator who really knows how to make these programs operate successfully in a collaborative manner. She is a collaborator and co-author on an article we wrote entitled, Telepsychiatry for Children with Developmental Disabilities: Applications for Patient Care and Medical Education, accepted for publication in Child Psychiatric Clinics of North America Jan 2011.

In summary I support the Connecting to Care without exception.

Sincerely,

Roxy Szeftel MD

Szeftel Medical Group – L.A. Telepsychiatry

Director, Child Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry Training

Telepsychiatry Developmental Disabilities Clinic

Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA

November 11, 2015

Our son Brandon G. has been a client of Connecting to Care for many years in Redding. Brandon has Autism. The service provided by Connecting to Care is excellent and far exceeds anything else that is available here in Northern Ca.

Years ago Brandon was briefly seen locally by the only available child psychiatrist in all of Redding. The initial visit was brief and the follow up appointments were very short and conducted by staff, not the psychiatrist. The immediate recommendation was to give Brandon Risperdal. Our son has never been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and after reviewing all the side effects of this heavy drug we declined to give it to him. Looking back now at that painstaking decision to medicate Brandon with Risperdal declining it was the right choice. It’s frightening to think a child at this age pictured below would be prescribed Risperdal after a 30 minute consultation. There is clearly a lack of providers locally and serving this population is out of the scope of practice for our primary care physicians. I fear without the quality care provided by Connecting to Care, Brandon could be institutionalized. There is nothing else available in Redding that has the quality, consistency and the concern for Brandon’s well being at heart. Thank You – Scott G.

Isabel Duncanwood

July 5, 2015

Thanks to Connecting to Care and their Assistive Technology program, I am an Augmentative Communicator. Before I received my device I felt trapped within myself because I couldn’t express my feelings or thoughts. Not being able to do so, led to behaviors. After being introduced to Assistive Technology the door that led to communication was unlocked and as a result I no longer have any behaviors. The AT Library and Assessment Center is a wonderful resource. I am now able to communicate everything and anything I want to say, as well as work a regular job and live independently in society. I would like to thank Connecting to Care, Far Northern Regional Center and Sierra Health Foundation for their support of individuals like me who would otherwise be forced to live a silent life. – Isabel Duncanwood

Ethan Grecian

July 5, 2015

When my son, Ethan was diagnosed with Autism there were little if any services related to psychiatric care in our rural area. In order for him to receive the best and appropriate care we had to travel hundreds of miles away from my home. This was very difficult on him and the doctors did not see an accurate picture of his mental health because he was always in an anxious and irritable state from his travels. When we were introduced to telemedicine services it provided a unique opportunity for Ethan to receive specialized pediatric psychiatric services in our area. Most importantly, it allows the doctors from Cedars-Saini to see Ethan in an environment that was familiar to him, along with support staff from Connecting to Care, that are also familiar with him. This has resulted in an accurate assessment of his mental health so evaluations and therapeutic interventions are appropriate providing the best treatments and positive results. We would like to express a heartfelt Thank You to Connecting to Care for providing this wonderful resource to our region. – Gina Grecian

YOU CAN HELP – Your donations will enable us to continue the delivery of TeleHealth programs to serve medically fragile children and adults with diverse abilities.

WHY DONATE – Connecting to Care relies on grant funding to sustain our programs. Currently, 100% of our grant funding goes to direct services. Unfortunately, most grant funding does NOT include core support.

Connecting to Care is a TeleHealth organization which brings specialty provider resources to under served communities, offering access to critically needed health services in our region.

Gifts are easily made by debit or credit card through a simple online process and you will receive a 100% tax-deductible receipt for your donation.

We’re counting on you to help us continue providing services that otherwise would not be available.

Your donation is tax deductible.
Tax ID 27-0955521

Local Community Group Wins Model eHealth Technology Award

Sierra-Nevada Model eHealth Cancer Community Project

Connecting to Care Wins Two Awards

Modoc County Model eHealth Community Project

The Path to Independence and Integrated Health

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