News

We are proud to announce that we’ve partnered with York Tech to provide additional resources for their students. Sandra Frecon, one of our community health workers, will be available once a week in the high school office to provide the following health-related services:

• Medical/dental enrollment and coordination of appointments

• Insurance eligibility assessments

• Food insecurity assistance

• Housing insecurity assistance

• Scholarship program for medical assistants (MA)

• Family First Health employment opportunities

Students who wish to take advantage of these services should visit Ms. Frecon in the high school office on Mondays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Alternatively, parents and caregivers of current students may contact her at sfrecon@ytech.edu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 5 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated decaying tooth and children between the ages of 5 and 19 are twice as likely to have cavities if they come from low-income households.

According to the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, there is a connection between oral health and a person’s overall health and well-being.

February is Children’s Dental Health Month and Dr. LaJuan Mountain, vice president of dental services at Family First Health, and Dr. Sam Mansour, Pennsylvania Dental Association’s statewide national children’s dental health month chair, joined us on The Spark Thursday to discuss the importance of children’s dental health, the barriers to receiving dental care and ways to overcome them.

Dr. Mountain said, a healthy mouth consists of firm and pink gums and no disruptions or discoloration in the enamel. She also said, oral health is not the general consensus that she is seeing in our communities because of a lack of accessibility, high costs, insurance challenges, dentist office schedules, a lack of oral health literacy and more.

On The Spark we also discussed the Family First Health’s Mobile School Dentist program that provides in-school dental care for all ages and grade levels in York, Adams and Lancaster County.

“It’s having a tremendous impact. I’ve been doing this program for almost a decade and I’m actually seeing kids that I first started to treat in Head Start, and they’re now in junior high. So that means we’ve actually followed kids throughout their entire academic life thus far, and we’re seeing improvement,” Dr. Mountain said. “We’re exposing them to the importance of their oral health, but also opportunities in health care, especially because the individuals we’re interacting with are often in that low socioeconomic environment.”

Listen to the podcast here

YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson visited the dental clinic at Family First Health today. This clinic is located in the George Street Center in York.

Dr. Johnson focused on emphasizing the importance of having access to oral health care for all Pennsylvanians.

“You cannot be truly healthy without good oral health,” said Dr. Johnson. “Many people do not realize that dental disease can cause a variety of health issues. Our hearts, lungs, and other organs can be harmed. Chronic conditions like diabetes can be worsened. Pregnancies are also negatively impacted. It can also take a toll on our mental health, as one factor leading to depression and low self-confidence.”  

At Family First Health’s George Street dental clinic, patients of all ages can receive dental care from dental providers. Dr. Johnson toured the clinic today, joined by Family First Health President and CEO Jenny Englerth and Vice President of Dental Services Dr. Joseph Mountain.

“It’s easy to protect your smile just by turning on the tap and drinking a glass of water,” Dr. Johnson said. “Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. The evidence from numerous academic, government and independent studies over the years has continued to demonstrate that community water fluoridation is safe, effective and economical resulting in significant benefits and cost-savings to communities.”

Family First Health is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that offers accessible and affordable quality care in York, Adams, and Lancaster counties. This center also has a mobile dental program that visits local elementary schools, as well as childcare centers.

“We welcome the Secretary and appreciate the spotlight her visit is shining on the importance of access to oral health care,” said Englerth. “Our team works to connect the dots between medical and dental care which supports better overall health for our patients and the communities we serve.” 

The Department of Health is working to promote the benefits of water fluoridation, as well as helping to ensure that oral health care is affordable and accessible to all by utilizing federal grants to improve the oral health workforce across the state.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Becca Holding knew she needed a fresh start when moving to Adams County.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Aug. 25 marks the start of Black Breastfeeding Week. The staff at Family First Health in York explained why focusing on moms of color has to do with the percentage of them who attempt to breastfeed.

“The CDC has told us that the initiation rate for black women is lower than the national average. It’s 76% for black women and the national average is about 84%, so we know there’s less likelihood of initiation and duration of breastfeeding,” said Heather Haug, a registered nurse at Family First Health.

Doctors say breastfeeding can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and infections for both moms and babies.

Watch the video here

YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — More people found out their HIV status this year than last year, a key statistic during a push for outreach. June 27 marks national HIV testing day, and Family First Health in York was among the many Midstate organizations encouraging people to get tested.

Thirty seven people agreed to be tested by Family First Health on June 27, and Family First leaders say that’s a big improvement.

“Last year, due to COVID, we were only able to test about ten for our event. So definitely much better this year, and in 2020 we had to cancel the event, so just being able to have the event again was great,” said Nicole Buchanan, Lead Medical Case Manager at Family First Health.

Family First offers free HIV testing every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no appointment required.

Watch the video here

YORK COUNTY, Pa.—

Family First Health’s “Caring Together” program provided free HIV tests Monday in front of their George Street office.

The York-based non-profit is working to spread awareness and address stigmas about the disease.

Event organizers stress the importance of getting an HIV test, no matter who you are.

“Everyone should get tested.. everyone. No matter if you’re married for many years or you’re single and you’re not active right now. You should get tested at least once in your lifetime, and if not at least once a year,” said Nicole Buchanan, Medical Case Manager at Family First Health.

The group also handed out educational materials and held giveaways to help normalize HIV testing.

Organizers say that despite the stigma of HIV and aids, someone can still live a long happy life by taking daily medication.

Watch the video here

YORK COUNTY, Pa.—

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has ruled to overturn the long held precedent of Roe v. Wade that safeguarded our right to abortion services. This means each state will decide how to regulate abortion services.  Currently, in Pennsylvania, abortion services are available and unharmed by today’s ruling.

While all kinds of people have abortions for all kinds of reasons, the SCOTUS ruling will not impact all people who seek abortions equally.  Women of color, women in low wage jobs and young women – many of whom already face barriers to healthcare – will be disproportionately impacted.

Family First Health remains committed to accessible and inclusive health care. We offer quality, compassionate primary medical care, including a wide range of reproductive health services, and have built programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership and Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy to support women and families to be healthy as a whole.

Since Family First Health was started in 1970, we have been committed to improving lives and building systems that support equitable access to healthcare services.  We stand strong and together in that commitment.