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The link between housing and mental health
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The link between housing and mental health

“She went from homeless to a stable situation.” Denise Harris, Director, Care Coordination Services at Health Care Access Now (HCAN) and Licensed Professional Counselor, tells the story of a client whose whole life improved because of a housing change. With the assistance of her HCAN Community Health Worker (CHW), this woman moved into a community…

Rents keep climbing, affecting health negatively
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Rents keep climbing, affecting health negatively

The practice of redlining, or racial segregation and discriminatory practices in the real estate industry, started to be exercised about a hundred years ago.  In many U.S. cities, certain neighborhoods were identified as “hazardous” based on the racial makeup of their inhabitants. Then, lending institutions used this information to deny home loans to people from…

Cathy Boston: Encouraging the greatness within
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Cathy Boston: Encouraging the greatness within

Cathy Boston’s background in Human Resources has allowed her to develop expertise in empowering people “to become their best selves.” She tells the story of how her business, STATEMENTS by Cathy Boston, LLC, came about.  In her previous position, she was responsible for internal training and development. “I was asked to do stress management training…

Logan Towers provides quality housing
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Logan Towers provides quality housing

Imagine that you live in Over-the-Rhine in one of the only apartments you can afford. It’s unsafe, quite run-down, and the utilities aren’t reliable. When something breaks, you’re not sure if it will be fixed. You don’t have access to private transportation, and public transportation isn’t always in your budget, so you’re grateful to have…

Tessa Johnson: Building relationships to make a difference
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Tessa Johnson: Building relationships to make a difference

During the first year Tessa Johnson worked as a paraprofessional for the Cincinnati Public School system, she felt overwhelmed. She knew the children she helped needed more than just school support. Understanding she couldn’t reach everyone was a tough pill to swallow.  But she persevered, and now she gets messages from former students thanking her…

April Biggers: Vital part of the community
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April Biggers: Vital part of the community

April Biggers joined the Community Health Worker (CHW) program at Health Care Access Now (HCAN) on the advice of a friend—now co-worker—who raved about the position. “I knew I wanted a career, not just a job. I wanted somewhere I could grow and flourish. I wanted to be able to make a difference,” she says….

Not enough suitable housing in Cincinnati
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Not enough suitable housing in Cincinnati

Health can be affected by many social determinants, including access to affordable housing. If an individual struggles to make rent or mortgage payments, that person likely has limited resources for other necessities that can impact health.  According to the Center for Housing Policy, “Affordable housing alleviates crowding and makes more household resources available to pay…

PRESS RELEASE: HCAN awarded two large local grants to disrupt poor health cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Health Care Access Now (HCAN) has received two large grants to further the reach of its Community Health Workers (CHWs) by placing them in non-traditional settings.  Interact for Health has awarded HCAN $50,000.  bi3, Bethesda Inc.’s grants initiative to transform health, has awarded HCAN $50,000. This grant is part of bi3’s support…

Seth Walsh: Elevating community
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Seth Walsh: Elevating community

Seth Walsh, Executive Director of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (College Hill CURC), says it’s possible to do development right—as long as developers work with the community and stay true to its essence. College Hill CURC has been in existence for more than 20 years, and it has always been community-led. “For the…

COVID “Educations” support, don’t judge
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COVID “Educations” support, don’t judge

Health Care Access Now (HCAN) and its Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s affecting all of us at the same time,” says Bettie Johnson, HUB Operations Coordinator for HCAN. As a result, they are careful to use a sensitive and non-judgmental approach to the COVID-19 Educations…