Outreach

In York County alone, 92 people died from HIV in 2014, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Statewide, the number stood at 4,320. While the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s is over, HIV is still ever present in our population — though the use of medication helps make it a manageable chronic disease.

This summer, Family First Health, WellSpan Health and York College will bring 12 panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt to central Pennsylvania as a reminder of the disease that’s still ever-present and a memorial to the more than 94,000 individuals lost to AIDS. The quilt will be displayed at Marketview Arts, 37 W. Philadelphia St., York, from June 23-25. It will be free to the public.

As plans are underway for events surrounding the three-day event – including National HIV Testing Day – Family First Health is seeking your input as we request which panels come to York. Have you seen the quilt before and been touched by a particular panel? Did you or someone you know work on a panel? Is there one in memory of a central Pennsylvania resident we’ve lost to HIV?

If you are aware of a panel with local ties — York, Hanover, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Harrisburg and more — please contact Kate Harmon, marketing and outreach coordinator with Family First Health. Contact her by phone, 717-801-4855 or email kharmon@familyfirsthealh.org. All requests should be made by May 1.

[Read more…] about Seeking AIDS Memorial Quilt panels with York-area ties

It started with one of our providers noticing that many parents of her pediatric patients seemed to be frustrated with some of their children’s behavior and maybe they could use some help.

Enter Shane Moore, our patient care coordinator. Working with patients to see what they would like to see (and when), Family First Health now brings in our friends from Family Child Resources once a month to provide FREE parenting classes. Plus we’ll entertain your kids during class.

During warmer months, the class has seen 16 or so people. Many of them are new faces each time. The classes started in May, and Shane’s calculated that they’ve helped 34 individuals.

January’s class met last night, and I got the chance to sit in. The topic was self-esteem and that how you feel about yourself can influence how you parent. Full disclosure — I am not a parent, but there are many tools to dealing with people (and kids) that you can take from this.

It was great to see parents opening up about how their own parents shaped how they want to be (or don’t want to be) with their own kids. The things we hear as kids — “You can be anything you want to be,” “You’ll never amount to much” — can affect how we see ourselves.

At one point, we started talking about “labels” we use to describe our kids. Even negative ones — when fostered correctly — can lead to great things later in life. Say your kid is stubborn now, hopefully that will lead to a more persistent and focused adult.

Another great takeaway was:

“Your attention is your biggest tool as a parent.”

If you encourage and reinforce your child’s good behavior, they’ll continue to act that way to receive praise. If they only get your attention when they do something wrong, they’ll continue to misbehave.

Personally, it was really cool to see patients opening up about parenting — their successes, their fears of not doing it right. Even in their struggles, you can see how much they care.

At one point, our Family Child Resources instructor mentioned a quote that really stuck with me and Shane. She told a patient:

We all try to do what we can for others, but in the end, you have to take care of yourself (and your kids). What powerful words to live by whether or not you’re a parent.

Interested in the next class? Contact Shane by calling 717-801-4838 or email him at smoore@familyfirsthealth.org.

Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day.

We wanted to take a few minutes and look at some myths that still surround HIV/AIDS and then show you the reality.

For me, the most important one you should read today is:

Myth: I’m HIV-positive — my life is over.

Reality: In the early years of the disease epidemic, the death rate from AIDS was extremely high. But today, antiretroviral drugs allow HIV-positive people — and even those with AIDS — to live much longer, normal, and productive lives.

If you have HIV/AIDS, your life is NOT over. And you are NOT alone. Come see our Caring Together staff on the third floor of our George Street site in York.

Take a look at more myths and the truth below.

[Read more…] about Tackling myths this World AIDS Day

Lying back in the chair as the dentist looked in his mouth, Greg Conrad had his headphones on and turned up as his hands gripped the armrests. He gets scared and nervous easily, but whenever the dentist asks how he’s doing, he’s quick with a thumbs up. It’s been a long journey for the 26 year old who is mentally delayed, his mother, Sherri said. In more ways than one.

Greg had his first caps and crowns down when he was 2 years old. He was born with bad teeth, Sherri said. The older he got, the more he’d “forget” to brush twice a day. Then add the junk food, sodas and smoking. He was in pain for years before they were able to get insurance for him. There were trips to the emergency room for antibiotics and pain meds, and that would hold things off until the next time. “He suffered for so long with no insurance,” she said.

Back in January, Greg got insurance and needed a dentist in his network. He found his way to Family First Health and Dr. LaJuan Mountain. Since then, he’s been a regular patient. Almost a little too regular for his taste. Greg and his mother make the drive from Delta every two weeks for a visit — it used to be once a week. Dr. Mountain wants to do a few teeth at a time to keep from causing Greg too much pain.

Since he’s been coming to Family First, Greg hasn’t been complaining of any pain. There are still two teeth to take out, and his lower teeth to work on, but overall, they’re feeling very positive. “The sooner you start going to the dentist, the better,” she said. And hopes are that the lifetime of dental issues will wrap up by the time winter weather hits so they don’t have to make the hour drive each way to visit so often. Then, it’s up to Greg to remember to brush and floss twice a day. Though Sherri said she’s ready and willing to help with reminders.

Join the Extraordinary Give!

This Nov. 20, join Family First Health as we go the EXTRA mile to get affordable health care to all.

Your donation through Lancaster’s ExtraGive will be matched and will help us get people like Greg the care they need.

Did you know that a donation of only $50 can cover a child’s ENTIRE dental visit?

How to donate

1. On November 20th, beginning at midnight, visit www.ExtraGive.org from your computer, smartphone, or device (There is an app for iPhone and Android!!) or click this link to go directly to our page: https://extragive.org/#npo/family-first-health
2. Select Family First Health from the list of community benefit organizations
3. Make an online, tax-deductible donation (minimum $25) to Family First Health
4. Give yourself a pat on the pat! High-five your coworker! Share on your social media sites! Encourage your friends and family to do the same! 🙂