May 2021 EdiTion DDp reSoUrceS - vdh.virginia.gov
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DR. JANICE UNDERWOOD TO SPEAK AT JUNE CONTRACTOR’S MEETING DDP is extremely excited to welcome Dr. Janice Underwood, Virginia Chief Diversity Officer, to the June joint HIV Prevenon and Care quarterly contractors meeng. Dr. Underwood will speak about the new Virginia Law Racism is a Public Health Crisis. The June meeng will take place on June 2, 2021 virtually. Dr. Underwood, who strongly believes in servant leadership and culturally relevant reform, was appointed by Governor Ralph Northam as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first cabinet-level Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). This posion is also the first of its kind in the naon. As the Commonwealth’s CDO, she is commied to addressing racial, ethnic, disability, gender-based, and other cultural inequies in formal and informal policies and pracces in Virginia state government. As a result, Dr. Underwood is working relessly to build the ONE Virginia statewide strategic plan for inclusive excellence across over 100 state agencies and with other public and private sectors. Her goal is to make Virginia an exemplar for the naon, regarding diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Please join us for Dr. Underwood’s presentaon on June 2. If you are not a regular aendee of the meeng and have quesons regarding registering for the meeng, etc. please reach out to Beth Marschak at elizabeth.marschak@vdh. virginia.gov. Return to Top REPORTED STDS IN U.S. REACH ALL-TIME HIGH FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR The Centers for Disease Control and Prevenon (CDC) has released the 2019 STD Surveillance Report. More than 2.5 million cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in 2019. Some key data points include: • 1.8 million cases of Chlamydia; an increase of 19% since 2015 MAY 2021 EDITION DDP RESOURCES DDP Homepage DDP Facebook Community Partners Page Health Professionals Page Communicaons Resources Join the VA MAP Listserv Find a Service Provider COVID-19 RESOURCES VDH COVID-19 Page CDC COVID-19 Page VDH Hotline: 877-ASK-VDH3 EBULLETIN ITEMS Dr. Janice Underwood to Speak at June Contractor’s Meeng Reported STDs in U.S. Reach All-Time High for Sixth Consecuve Year Naonal HIV Tesng Day Virginia Medicaid Announcements Personnel Employment Opportunies
Transcript of May 2021 EdiTion DDp reSoUrceS - vdh.virginia.gov
Dr. Janice UnDerwooD to Speak at JUne contractor’S MeetingDDP is extremely excited to welcome Dr. Janice Underwood, Virginia Chief Diversity Officer, to the June joint HIV Prevention and Care quarterly contractors meeting. Dr. Underwood will speak about the new Virginia Law Racism is a Public Health Crisis. The June meeting will take place on June 2, 2021 virtually.
Dr. Underwood, who strongly believes in servant leadership and culturally relevant reform, was appointed by Governor Ralph Northam as the Commonwealth of
Virginia’s first cabinet-level Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). This position is also the first of its kind in the nation. As the Commonwealth’s CDO, she is committed to addressing racial, ethnic, disability, gender-based, and other cultural inequities in formal and informal policies and practices in Virginia state government. As a result, Dr. Underwood is working tirelessly to build the ONE Virginia statewide strategic plan for inclusive excellence across over 100 state agencies and with other public and private sectors. Her goal is to make Virginia an exemplar for the nation, regarding diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.
Please join us for Dr. Underwood’s presentation on June 2. If you are not a
regular attendee of the meeting and have questions regarding registering for the meeting, etc. please reach out to Beth Marschak at [email protected].
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reporteD StDS in U.S. reach all-tiMe high for Sixth conSecUtive YearThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2019 STD Surveillance Report. More than 2.5 million cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in 2019. Some key data points include:
• 1.8 million cases of Chlamydia; an increase of 19% since 2015
May 2021 EdiTionDDp reSoUrceSddP HomepageddP FacebookCommunity Partners PageHealth Professionals PageCommunications Resources
Join the Va MaP ListservFind a Service Provider
coviD-19 reSoUrceSVdH CoVid-19 PageCdC CoVid-19 PageVdH Hotline: 877-aSK-VdH3
ebUlletin iteMSdr. Janice Underwood to Speak at June Contractor’s MeetingReported STds in U.S. Reach all-Time High for Sixth Consecutive YearNational HIV Testing DayVirginia Medicaid announcementsPersonnelEmployment Opportunities
• Over 616,000 cases of gonorrhea; an increase of 56% since 2015• Nearly 130,000 cases of syphilis; an increase of 74% since 2015• Over 1,800 cases of congenital syphilis; an increase of 279%
Read the full report and find communication materials and infographics on the CdC website.
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national hiv teSting DaYNational HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is observed annually on June 27. Each year NHTD emphasizes and encourages HIV testing to the public. As COVID-19 has created and continues to challenge our communities, agencies, and healthcare facilities, NHTD is more important than ever to communicate access to testing.
The theme for this NHTD is “My Test, My Way.” This theme emphasizes that there are different ways and places to get tested for HIV, including in-home HIV test kits. This theme strongly aligns with DDP’s vision that there is no wrong door to HIV testing and the Virginia Home Testing Program.
Messaging, imagery, and shareables for NHTD can be found on the CdC’s website. The CDC website has not currently been updated to reflect the 2021 theme, but most suggested messaging is evergreen (not specific to one theme or year).
Greater Than AIDS (GTA) also has messaging and imagery for NHTD available on their website. GTA occasionally has opportunities available for test giveaways or free printed materials. If your agency is interested in hearing about these opportunities as they are available, sign up for their newsletter on their website.
For questions on HIV testing programs including Virginia’s home testing program, please contact Bryan Collins at [email protected].
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virginia MeDicaiD annoUnceMentSAs of April 1, 2021, the 40 Quarters Rule, which required Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents) to prove that they or members of their household had at least a 10 year work history in order to qualify for Virginia Medicaid, has been removed. Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents) with five years or more of residency in the United States may now be eligible for free or low-cost health coverage from Virginia Medicaid. Previous applicants must reapply. Additional information can be found at https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-applicants/information-for-noncitizens/.
Beginning July 1, 2021, Virginia’s nationally recognized Smiles For Children (SFC) program will expand to provide comprehensive dental coverage for adults in full-benefit Medicaid covered groups. Dental coverage will continue for children and pregnant women. The new dental coverage for adults will focus on overall oral health, prevention, and restoration and will be similar to the coverage currently available to pregnant women. The program name will remain SFC with a new tag line, “Improving Dental Care for Children and Adults.”
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perSonnelWelcomeJasmine Taylor started with VDH on April 10 as the Crater Health District Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS). She has a Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and a Master’s of Public Health degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She has worked for the Hampton Roads Community Action Program as a Head Start Case manager and as a Health Coordinator for the Williamsburg Head Start Program. She was attracted to the DIS/Health Counselor position within VDH because she enjoys improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations. For fun, Jasmine likes to try small DIY projects around her home. Jasmine can be reached at (804) 609-5842 or [email protected]. Please join us in welcoming Jasmine to the VDH team.
DDP welcomes Shahid Hafidh as the new Evaluation Coordinator for HIV and Hepatitis Prevention. Shahid is returning to VDH after spending two years at the Department of Medical Assistance Services as a Quality Improvement Manager. He has a Bachelors of Science in Health Care Management from Florida A&M University, and a Masters of Public Health from Florida International University. Shahid is a seasoned public health professional, specializing in program evaluation,
epidemiology, and program implementation. Shahid can be reached at [email protected] or (804) 864-7285.
The Disease Prevention Hotline is excited to welcome Charlotte Bradby to the team, as our newest Hotline Counselor! Charlotte has two children (2 and 9), loves spending time outdoors, and her favorite food is seafood. Please extend Charlotte a warm welcome. She can be reached at (804) 864- 8010 or [email protected].
Welcome Camellia Espinal, the new HIV Care Services Quality Management Specialist. Camellia attended Virginia Commonwealth University for a degree in Health Science. She worked at Richmond City Health District as an Office Services Specialist, and later a Health Educator/Non-Medical Case Manager for Ryan White. She has been an active member of the DoingItRVA Coalition that coordinates the prevention and treatment of HIV and STIs in the Richmond area. She enjoys cooking Caribbean dishes for friends and move nights with her husband and three children. Camellia can be reached at (804) 864-7412 or [email protected].
CongratulationsCongratulations to Christine Vanover on her promotion from Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) to Regional STD Program Coordinator! Christine transitioned to her new role on April 10, 2021, and will be providing supervision and
technical assistance to the Hampton, Three Rivers, Peninsula, Norfolk, Rappahannock, and Fairfax Health Districts. Christine originally came to Virginia in 2019 from Texas, where she had started as a DIS and then served as a Lead DIS. Christine has a Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology from Drexel, and also has experience working as an HIV Surveillance Investigator in Philadelphia. We are very excited to have Christine in this role! She is currently out on maternity leave (she had a baby boy on April 24!) but is looking forward to working with everyone when she returns! Upon Christine’s return, she can be reached at (804) 864-8042 or [email protected].
FarewellSPS bids farewell to Kaylah young. Kaylah worked as the Enhanced Gonorrhea Surveillance Coordinator since May 2020, and had a significant role in getting the project off the ground. DDP wishes Kaylah the best of luck in her future endeavors!
DDP is saddened to say goodbye to Hotline Counselor John Whitener. His last day on the Hotline was April 30 and he is now working as a DIS in Henrico. We thank John for all his hard work and dedication to the Hotline and wish him all the best in his new role. We know you will continue to do great things!
Employment OpportunitiesEmployment opportunities that are contract positions and are not listed on jobs.virginia.gov are now listed on the ddP website.
Current available contract positions include:
• Program analyst• Retention Coordinators• Retention Coordinator Lead• Virginia Medication Assistance Technicians
Please visit either site to see detailed information for available positions.
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