Genesee Health Plan (GHP), Consumers Energy, Ascension Genesys and Huntington Bank recently launched emPOWER Genesee, a new program that helps Genesee County residents and families connect with utility assistance and resources, financial assistance, health care resources and enrollment, and additional community resources while they pay their utility bills.
“A healthy life and well-being starts with making sure people have access to essential needs like water, food, quality health care coverage, utilities and financial tools, which is why we’re partnering with businesses and organizations in the community to launch emPOWER Genesee,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “emPOWER Genesee’s innovative approach is an excellent example of how public and private organizations are working together to meet people where they are at with their health care, utility and financial needs.”
Through emPOWER Genesee, a Community Navigator, who helps connect people with community resources, is placed at the Consumers Energy Flint Payment Center located at 3201 E. Court St. in Flint, where approximately 10,000 people pay their utility bills each month. Since the beginning of November 2019, the Community Navigator has made contact with over 1,500 people and connected them to resources including food, housing, furniture, water and health care. The Community Navigator is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Congressman Dan Kildee, elected officials, community leaders and representatives from Genesee Health Plan, Consumers Energy, Ascension Genesys and Huntington Bank helped launch emPOWER Genesee at a kick-off event in November 2019 that was hosted at the Consumers Energy Payment Center in Flint.
“emPOWER Genesee will help strengthen Genesee County by ensuring people receiving the vital services and care they rely on every day,” said Congressman Dan Kildee. “As a Flint native, I believe in championing projects like emPOWER Genesee because they help improve the lives of Genesee County residents. Through their assistance and resources, emPOWER Genesee keeps our community strong.”
“As an emPOWER Genesee partner, our goal is to connect people and families with a variety of essential resources so they can succeed,” said LeeRoy Wells Jr., Consumers Energy Vice President of Gas Operations. “More than 10,000 people visit our Flint payment center each month to pay their utility bill and we know that some may have additional unmet needs. We welcome having a Community Navigator located within our payment center who can connect residents directly with community resources that they may need.”
“By delivering community navigation services on-site, we can reduce service access barriers and create an environment that mitigates the impact of the Social Determinants of Health – conditions like poverty, access to healthy foods, transportation, and safe neighborhoods – that adversely affect the health of people in our community if not addressed,” said Christopher J. Palazzolo, President & CEO of Ascension Genesys Hospital and Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital.
“Huntington Bank is proud to partner with emPOWER Genesee to help increase access to financial resources and tools in Genesee County,” said Greg Viener, Mid-Michigan Region of Huntington BankRegional President. “Our goal is to equip people with the resources needed to make the right financial decisions, and we look forward to helping community members take steps toward better physical health and financial health through emPOWER Genesee.”
For more information about the emPOWER Genesee Program, call (810) 339-6377.
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Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched in 2001 to provide health care coverage and life-saving services to the uninsured residents of Genesee County. The plan has provided more than 90,000 county residents with doctor’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740.
During our WNEM TV 5 HEALTH YES segment that aired on Thursday, December 5, GHP President and CEO Jim Milanowski was joined by GHP Enrollment Team Lead, Jill Alexander, to discuss healthcare enrollment, changes coming to the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid) and enrollment resources available for Bay, Saginaw and Genesee County residents. Click the video below to watch interview!
Laundry program connects families and students at Freeman Elementary with clean clothing
FLINT – On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Genesee Health Plan honored local community member and business owner Sheldon T. Banks of Sheldon T. Banks Funeral Chapel for his generous contributions to the “Loads of Luv” laundry program – a program started by Genesee Health Plan Community Health Worker Melody Relerford at Freeman Elementary School to help ensure students and their families have access to clean clothing.
“As a Flint native, living, working and owning my own business in Flint, I want to do anything I can to help the community succeed,” said Banks. “It’s an honor to give back to the children who will be the future of our community because I feel they deserve the opportunity to thrive.”
In 2018, Relerford approached Banks indicating some of the students and families at Freeman Elementary School were in need of clean clothing and access to laundry facilities. This need inspired the “Loads of Luv” laundry program, which blossomed through the partnership between Genesee Health Plan and Banks. With Banks’ generous support, many students and families have been helped. Banks also purchased over 200 pairs of socks for students.
Banks continues to make a significant positive impact on the Flint community. He sends 20 Flint children to Cedar Point each year and has helped place dumpsters throughout the city for clean-up efforts. Banks is a member of the Society of Minority Firefighters and is a firefighter for the City of Flint where he donated thermal imaging cameras so firefighters can identify “hot spots” for fires on the inside of buildings before the firefighters enter. Additionally, he is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Iota Beta Sigma Chapter. Banks also does a turkey giveaway each Thanksgiving for families in need. Throughout the water crisis, he volunteered his business as a water distribution site for those affected by the water crisis.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Mr. Banks and his
generosity in helping those in need,” said Jim
Milanowski, GHP President and CEO. “There are so many heroes in our
community who work behind the scenes and go unrecognized, and these people are
selfless and give of their time, passion and heart back into the community to
see it flourish. Mr. Banks is one of those community heroes, and we’re proud to
honor him for his continued commitment to the community.”
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Genesee Health Plan (GHP)is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched in 2001 to provide health care coverage and life-saving services to the uninsured residents of Genesee County. The plan has provided more than 90,000 county residents with doctor’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) grant will boost GHP’s efforts to enroll uninsured Mid-Michigan residents in health care coverage
FLINT – The Genesee Health Plan (GHP) announced today it received a Navigator Cooperative Agreement Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with health care navigation and enrollment in Genesee, Bay and Saginaw counties. GHP is one of 34 recipients nationwide and one of two organizations in Michigan to receive the grant.
“Enrolling in health care coverage can be a confusing process and at the Genesee Health Plan, we’re committed to making sure hardworking people, families and seniors know what their options are and helping them enroll in coverage that fits their needs,” said Jim Milanowski, GHP president and CEO. “The CMS grant will allow us to reach populations who face barriers to enrolling in health care coverage, including those who live in Bay and Saginaw counties who no longer have a health plan like GHP.”
The CMS grant will support GHP’s efforts to raise awareness of health care enrollment through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange – also known as HealthCare.gov (Obamacare) – and develop communications to reach populations with cultural or language barriers. It will also help GHP enroll underserved populations in health care including immigrants, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, employees of small businesses and small business owners, members of federally recognized tribes and returning citizens reentering the workforce.
Education and community outreach is a key part of the project. Under this grant, GHP will launch “Get It, Know It, Use It, Keep It” – an educational campaign to help people enroll in health care coverage and educate people about what their health care coverage offers, how to use their health care coverage and receive preventive care, and how to keep their health care coverage. GHP will also leverage its community partnerships to reach more people throughout Genesee, Bay and Saginaw counties.
“Every American should have access to quality, affordable health care. I am proud to help secure this federal grant, which will allow Genesee Health Plan to help more people get health coverage and improve the overall health of our community. In Congress, I have introduced legislation, that has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, to increase support for health care navigator programs. Today’s federal grant will further support local organizations helping to enroll people in affordable health care coverage,” said Congressman Dan Kildee.
The CMS Navigator Cooperative Agreement Award began in 2013 as an opportunity for organizations that serve as Navigators to help individuals understand their health insurance options and to assist with enrolling in health insurance through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange. The CMS grant supports the work of organizations that offer assistance to people searching, shopping for, and enrolling in health care coverage on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange. Open Enrollment is Nov. 1 through Dec. 15.
The one-year grant will provide GHP $92,988 to assist with outreach and education efforts during pre- and post-health care enrollment. CMS will fund 31% ($92,988) of total program costs and GHP will fund 69% ($206,352) of the project costs, totaling $299,340.
The project described is supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-NAV-19-001 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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Disclaimer: The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.
Genesee Health Plan (GHP)is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to
have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live
a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched
in 2001 to provide health care coverage and life-saving services to the
uninsured residents of Genesee County. The plan has provided more than
90,000 county residents with doctor’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription
drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. Learn more about
GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call
844.232.7740.
We are pleased to welcome our newest GHP Board Member, Pastor Angel Garcia of Grace Bible Church in Flint. In June 2001, Pastor Garcia moved from the New England area to begin a Spanish-speaking church in the Flint community. Through his work, he serves people who experience cultural and language barriers in accessing necessary resources such as health care, food, clothing and other needs.
Pastor Garcia is happy to be a GHP board member because he believes in the mission of Genesee Health Plan and looks forward to working with the plan to help remove language or cultural barriers that prevent community members from accessing care.
“GHP is an essential resource for the community,” said Pastor Garcia. “GHP helps fill the need by making sure residents can have equal and affordable access to health care coverage and resources.”
Pastor Garcia hopes to build bridges between the plan and faith-based community with a special focus on Spanish-speaking community members.
“GHP helps people from all backgrounds get enrolled in health coverage, including those from different cultures or who speak different languages,” said Pastor Garcia. “Making sure information is accessible in different languages is key to helping people learn about available health care resources.”
Pastor Garcia is a graduate of Mid-American Baptist Theological Seminary of Albany New York which sparked his passion in helping people and connecting them to necessary resources. He is also involved with several ethnic and language groups hospice chaplaincy and serves as a chaplain for community police and fire departments and hospitals within Genesee County. He is the proud husband of Edeline Garcia, celebrating 32 years of marriage this past summer. He and his wife have three daughters and four grandchildren.
During our WNEM TV 5 HEALTH YES segment that aired on Thursday, September 12, GHP President and CEO Jim Milanowski was joined by Dr. Gary Johnson, Genesee County Health Department medical director, to discuss the dangers of vaping, child and adolescent health along with community resources to help keep your family healthy.
The school year is already in full swing for Flint Community Schools and many families across Genesee County are gearing up for school routines, fall sports and activities.
At the Genesee Health Plan, we want to make sure you and your family are ready to go for a healthy and successful school year. Here are some tips to help you throughout the year ahead.
1. Create a family calendar for important dates.
It’s hard to keep track of all doctor appointments, holiday breaks, after-school activities and more. We suggest creating a calendar within a central place in your home where your family can keep track of important dates throughout the school year. This could mean hanging a calendar in your kitchen or using an erasable white board and updating it regularly with dates and appointments. Don’t be afraid to get creative and involve the whole family on this project!
2. Schedule eye and dental exams.
Good vision is key to success in the classroom. A child who is squinting in class, losing place while reading or sitting too close to a TV screen may have vision issues that will affect their reading and school success. MIChild (Medicaid) allows children under age 19 to receive one routine eye exam every 12 months and eyeglasses once every 24 months. The child may get a new pair of eyeglasses every 12 months if their prescription changes.
Good oral health is also key to success in school. Tooth decay is the most common constant childhood disease and can lead to toothaches that can impact eating, sleeping and learning. Scheduling regular dental exams can catch oral health issues before they happen and make sure your child has a healthy mouth. If your child does not have dental coverage, Healthy Kids Dental (HKD) is available to children who have Medicaid and are under the age of 21.
If your child does not have health or dental coverage, or if you have questions about your child’s MIChild health coverage or Healthy Kids Dental coverage, contact Genesee Health Plan at 844-232-7740.
3. Plan healthy meals and snacks.
Hunger can have a negative effect on learning. Help your child feel full and prepared for the school day by planning nutritious meals and snacks. Choose My Plate offers ideas for helping you plan budget-friendly and nutritious meals throughout the week. Need snack ideas? Check out this list of 85 Snack Ideas for Kids and Adults.
If you need food assistance, there are community resources that can help. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides a food assistance program for those who qualify. Visit their website for more information. Genesee Health Plan has a MDHHS worker located at their office who can help individuals apply for food assistance and other programs.
Additionally, Double Up Food Bucks available through MDHHS, allows you to get free milk and fresh fruits and vegetables when you make a purchase with a Bridge Card.
4. Prepare for back to school allergies.
As the seasons transition from summer to fall, be ready for allergies to follow. Ragweed tends to be the most common allergy during the fall, as well as dust and mold. Make sure school staff knows about your child’s allergies and that they have the necessary allergy medications on file.
5. Put medications on file at school.
Remember to tell teachers and administrators about any medications your child takes, especially if they are taken during the school day. Also inform your school of any chronic medical conditions or food, environmental or medication allergies.
6. Encourage good personal hygiene.
Hand washing is important to prevent the spread of germs from school to your home. Teach children about the importance of washing hands regularly and to wash for at least 20 seconds. One fun and easy way to make sure your child is washing their hands long enough is to sing “Happy Birthday” two times while washing. To also prevent spreading of germs, teach them to cough or sneeze into their elbow. Be cautious with your child using hand sanitizer, especially if your child is under the age of 12 and not supervised by an adult when using. Since July of this year, just under 10,000 cases of hand sanitizer exposure in children 12 years of age or younger has been reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Click here to read full report.
Remind children of self-care basics including brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day and showering or bathing. Encouraging and keeping up with these routines can help children have a healthy life throughout school and beyond.
7. Encourage reading.
Reading is one of the best ways your child can continue to prepare for school. Encourage your child to read anything from books to magazines to newspapers to get them excited about reading. For young readers, storytime can also help your kids develop a love for reading.
8. Check your child’s backpack weight.
A child’s backpack should weigh no more than 10% of what the student weighs, according to researchers. Heavy backpacks can cause muscle soreness, issues with posture, back and neck pain.
To prevent heavy backpacks, encourage your child to only carry the necessary items to and from school. It’s also important to carry backpacks with both shoulders, not one.
9. Back-to-school immunizations.
GHP in partnership with the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) provides funding to the GCHD for a variety of immunizations for community members and children as they head back to school. Immunizations are covered under the Genesee Health Plan, Healthy Michigan Plan, Medicaid, Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare).
Michigan legislation does provide exemptions to mandatory vaccinations for medical, religious or other reasons. The GCHD can assist you with vaccination waivers for Genesee County residents and those who have children attending Genesee County Schools. For more information on how to obtain a waiver or to schedule an appointment for your child to receive back to school immunizations, call the GCHD at 810-237-4540 or click here to be directed to the immunizations page on their website. For more about immunization and waiver information, click here to be directed to the immunizations page on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Website.
10. What back to school tip would like to share? Please comment below!
At the Genesee Health Plan, we’re here for you and your family year-round. Using these back-to-school tips can help you and your family prepare for a healthy, safe and successful school year. As always, if you need access to health care coverage or resources, give us a call at (844) 232-7740 for more information.
We are pleased to welcome our newest GHP Board Member, Matthew LeGault, chief operating officer of McLaren Flint. Through his work, LeGault serves the Genesee County community and employees of McLaren Flint. He actively participates with the McLaren Flint Foundation whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in the Genesee County community.
LeGault is excited and thankful to be a GHP board member. He is looking forward to helping lead the plan into the future by ensuring continued financial sustainability. He hopes through GHP, residents will continue to have access to health care and a medical home so that emergency rooms are not utilized as the main form of health care.
“At its core, GHP is there to cover residents who wouldn’t otherwise be covered or have access to health care,” said LeGault. “GHP fills the gap in our community for residents by supporting equal access to quality health care. The plan needs to continue to be there for residents and help ensure the community is healthier as a whole.”
LeGault earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from UM-Flint and master’s degree in finance from Wayne State University. LeGault brings over 25 years of experience working in health care. Prior to his current role at McLaren Flint, LeGault was the vice president and chief financial officer of McLaren Oakland. As an executive leader of McLaren Flint, LeGault is responsible for managing day to day operations, support services and ancillary services. LeGault has been married to his wife Denise for 14 years and is a proud father of two daughters and grandfather of one granddaughter. When LeGault isn’t at work, he enjoys spending time with family.
Summer is a great season for enjoying the outdoors, swimming at your local pool or lake, and spending time with family and friends. From staying hydrated to using sunscreen, it’s important to take steps to protect your health during the summer months.
For Part 2 of our series, we rounded up some tips to help keep you safe, healthy, energized and hydrated while you enjoy the rest of your summer.
Practice swimming safety
Genesee Health Plan and the YMCA of Greater Flint encourage children, adults and families to follow swimming safety measures to reduce risk of drowning and swimming-related emergencies. Young or inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket, even if on a flotation device. Always swim with a buddy, regardless of age or swimming ability, and do not swim while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The YMCA of Greater Flint offers swim lessons year-round at both the Downtown and Pierson Road locations for children six months old and older, including adults. For more information on swim lessons, visit flintymca.com. For more information on swimming safety, click here to be directed to the full story on our website.
Choose snacks that fuel your body.
Whether you’re at work or on vacation, remember to feed your body foods that fuel your health. Try to avoid sugary and processed foods. Instead, reach for fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, eggs, Greek yogurt and whole grains. These foods will help you feel full and energized throughout the day. For some snack ideas, check out this list of 28 Healthy Snacks that Your Kids (and you) Will Love.
Stick to a sleep routine.
Longer days and warmer weather makes it tempting to stay up late. However, it’s important for both adults and children to maintain a consistent sleep routine to stay energized throughout the week. The National Sleep Foundation recommends at least 7-9 hours of sleep for adults and 9-11 hours of sleep for children. Bedtimes should also be around the same time every day. If you’re having a hard time falling asleep, try turning off electronics 30 minutes before bed, reading a book, journaling, or meditating instead. It is important to sleep in a dark, comfortable room and to avoid caffeinated beverages after 3 p.m. For more tips to help you sleep, visit the National Sleep Foundation’s website.
Take bug bites seriously.
Bug bites are itchy and can be annoying. Wear insect repellent when going outside and always check your body for bites and ticks after you come inside. Additionally, if you’re allergic to bees and/or wasps, it’s important to take proactive measures to cover your body. If you or your child have trouble breathing, chest pain, racing heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting or a headache, visit the closest emergency room or urgent care immediately.
If you live in areas where there are ticks, avoid tall grass and areas with brush. When in these areas, it’s important to wear bright colors so you can see if ticks land on your clothes. Remember to wear long pants and sleeves and closed-toe shoes when hiking. For more tips on how to protect yourself from ticks and Lyme disease, read our article on How to Stop Ticks in Their Tracks.
Reapply sunscreen.
Though many people know the importance of protecting their skin from the sun’s rays, sunscreen works best when reapplied throughout the day. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours will help protect you from the sun’s rays, especially if you are engaging in recreational activities where you’re working up a sweat or in the water. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure. The American Cancer Society recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and to limit direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. For more tips on how to protect your skin from the sun this summer, read the American Cancer Society’s article Have a Sun-safe Summer.
Drink water even if you’re not thirsty.
The key to staying hydrated, especially on hot days, is drinking water consistently throughout the day. Even though your body tells you when its thirsty, you should hydrate regularly to avoid dehydration, headaches and fatigue. Below are recommendations for staying hydrated:
If you or your child are having difficulty remembering to drink water throughout the day, check out this list of hydration apps for mobile devices which will remind you when to drink water throughout the day.
Schedule back-to-school appointments before school starts.
With school right around the corner, it’s important to be proactive when scheduling back to school physicals, wellness check-ups, eye exams and dental exams. Even though summer isn’t quite over, now is the time to start scheduling back-to-school appointments for the entire family. Back-to-school appointments are a proactive way to ensure better health and identify potential health issues before they happen.
Back-to-school immunizations
Genesee Health Plan (GHP) believes in a proactive approach to health care by providing preventive services to community members which include immunizations. GHP in partnership with the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) provides funding to the GCHD for a variety of immunizations for community members and children as they head back to school. Immunizations are covered under the Genesee Health Plan, Healthy Michigan Plan, Medicaid, Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare).
Michigan legislation does provide exemptions to mandatory vaccinations for medical, religious or other reasons. The GCHD can assist you with vaccination waivers for Genesee County residents and those who have children attending Genesee County Schools. For more information on how to obtain a waiver or to schedule an appointment for your child to receive back to school immunizations, call the GCHD at 810-237-4540 or click here to be directed to the immunization’s page on their website. For more about immunization and waiver information, click here to be directed to the immunization’s page on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Website.
The Genesee Health Plan is here to help you live a healthy and happy all year long. As always, if you need access to health care coverage or resources, visit our website or give us a call at (844) 232-7740 for more information.
During our WNEM TV 5 HEALTH YES segment on Thursday, August 8, GHP Community Health Worker Coordinator Sherika Finklea was joined by Kerry Downs, program manager of special projects for the Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint Community Education Initiative, to discuss the changes in the upcoming school year, what the new balanced calendar is all about and how to make sure you and your child are prepared!
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