Dr. Darlene Williams, PhD

I understand the state's concern about individuals and organizations' use of predatory practices and illegal marketing schemes to profit off of those with substance use disorders; however, requiring licensure for peer recovery specialists could unfairly impact communities of color. In New Jersey, drug overdose deaths have declined, but the crisis disproportionately affects communities of color. The spike in overdose rates among communities of color has risen by nearly 30%, according to the National Institute of Health. This is alarming. Recommending a state licensure for peer recovery specialists can limit the number of Black and Brown individuals entering this field. This reform could reduce the availability of coaches who truly understand and empathize with the needs of these communities. This reform could significantly impact the effectiveness of recovery programs and the trust participants have in these services.

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Yet, pathways & collateral consequences of incarcerating women different than men, considering that two-thirds of incarcerated women are mothers & primary caregivers for young children. NJRC Women's Report & Resource Manual directs to NJRC partners. https://bit.ly/4bbheT3

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This includes checking in on yourself too... Life is good! But it's not easy. Life is also complicated, busy, challenging, stressful, and the list goes on and on. So, let's always be mindful to extend a little grace, especially to those closest to us (family, friends, and even co-workers). And don't forget yourself. #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

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June 10 12pm-4pm EST, via Zoom 4 CEs available to NYS LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMSWs, LCATs, NYS Licensed Psychologists and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts provided by Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC upon successful completion of training. Join Dr. Dr. Shobana Powell, DSW, LCSW and Cristian Eduardo, Lead Human Trafficking Consultant and Survivor, as they discuss mental health and human trafficking from the perspectives of a clinician and a survivor who specialize in culturally relevant healing from exploitation. They will discuss common mental health needs that occur prior to, during, and after experiences of sex and labor trafficking, including the harms of misdiagnosis and the power of accurate, culturally inclusive mental health support. They will explore how exploiters and traffickers may weaponize mental health needs and diagnoses against survivors of trafficking, the long-term implications on economic justice, child custody, immigration, and more, and how to support survivors in accessing holistic healing.

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NEXT WEEK: #DAAHR Forum on Plan to Change Disability Evaluations! On Monday, June 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. ET, Disability Advocates Advancing Our Healthcare Rights (#DAAHR), a coalition organized by Boston Center for Independent Living and Disability Policy Consortium, will hold a virtual forum to discuss MassHealth’s plan to establish a centralized evaluation for services for people with disabilities. The proposed Independent Assessment Entity (#IAE) will evaluate individuals on MassHealth, One Care, and Senior Care Options (#SCO) for Personal Care Attendant (#PCA) services, adult foster care, group adult foster care, day habilitation services, and the #PACE program. Historically, evaluations have been conducted by disability service organizations because providers understand disability and independent living—they are culturally and linguistically competent. Advocates are concerned that a single centralized entity might exacerbate red tape; remain faceless, intransparent, and removed from community members' lived experience; be driven by perverse incentives; and reduce service offerings for disabled consumers. However, the Commonwealth believes its plan will improve the current evaluation system and even increase access to services. Attend the forum to learn about the IAE and voice your opinion on whether you want to be evaluated by one entity statewide. MassHealth Director Mike Levine will be in attendance. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eMuQdSSf. For more information, contact Bill Henning at bhenning@bostoncil.org. #ADA #Accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request, contact Susan Smith at ssmith@bostoncil.org or (617) 338-6665. Please include a description of the accommodation you need, with as much detail as possible. Provide your contact information in case we need to collect more information from you. When possible, please allow at least seven days' advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted, but they may be difficult to fulfill. Your input is vital. Together, we as a community can shape the future of MassHealth. #AboutUsByUs

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While today is the last day of Black Maternal Health Week, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't forget that adverse maternal and birth outcomes continue to exist in our country. I stand with Black Mamas Matter Alliance and agree that the time is NOW to demand comprehensive public and private insurance for maternal, sexual, and reproductive health care; improving access to care across geographies and birth settings; issuing guidance to health care providers, institutions, insurance companies, and related entities on providing equitable, high-quality, patient-centered care; and funding research and programs that center and utilize scholarship of Black women and birthing people. So that we can ensure that all women and birthing people thrive. https://lnkd.in/enqcxZKa #BMWH24 #maternalhealth #healthdisparities #publichealth

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Cultural sensitivity recognizes that maternal health extends beyond physical well-being. It encompasses the whole person, including emotional health. Developing programs that address mental health, social determinants, and socioeconomic factors is crucial. This article addresses the need for awareness and better tools for advocacy for birthing providers in the Valley. Expanding medical benefits for postpartum care and improving access to quality prenatal and postpartum services are essential steps toward reducing maternal mortality rates. Advocacy for policies that address racial disparities in maternal health also saves lives.  #MaternalMortality #BlackMaternalHealth #Advocacy https://lnkd.in/gECcWEwJ

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As New Jersey implements legislation to expand contraception access, state officials are focusing on cross-sector and interagency collaboration. Public sector leaders in other states working to expand access to reproductive health services can explore lessons learned and key takeaways in a new report from ASTHO and Center for Health Care Strategies: https://lnkd.in/ee2AA_9y. #ReproductiveHealth #FamilyPlanning #HealthEquity NJ Department of Health

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"The Shapiro Administration is prioritizing access to behavioral health services for young people. The 2023-24 state budget includes $100 million for student mental health services and $20 million for county mental health support. As part of the visit, Dr. Davis-Jones spotlighted the Flood City Youth Fitness Academy (FCYFA). This DDAP-funded program offers a range of activities, from STEM education to physical fitness, aimed at building self-esteem and promoting a healthy lifestyle among students. FCYFA’s unique approach includes providing door-to-door transportation for students, which has led to high retention rates." #OpioidCrisis #DrugPrevention #DrugTreatment

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Thank you, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu for this important and well-timed article. Coming on the heels of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health praising its success for reduction in the overall opioid overdose fatality rate in the state, it's a critical reminder that rising tides don't actually lift all boats. The Massachusetts State Senate is poised to take up legislation to address the ongoing addiction crisis in Massachusetts. As they do so, I hope that they bear in mind that the opioid crisis is a POLICY crisis. State public health and criminal justice decisions shape who access to illegal drugs as well as access to harm reduction and proven solutions. The racial and ethnic #healthdisparities in fatal overdoses are also shaped by state and local policy decisions. As Dr. Ojikutu writes: "The root causes of this tragedy are more than a half-century in the making. The War on Drugs, which began in the early 1970s imposed mandatory minimums sentencing for drug offenses, enforced harsher punishment for crack cocaine (used more often by Black people) versus powder cocaine possession, and led to the mass incarceration of millions of Black and Latinx people. Mass incarceration has decimated families and led to poor health outcomes in communities of color." Dr. Ojikutu also writes "Luckily, we know what to do." What we need to do is advance focused, intentional, effective policies that go beyond community-informed". The policies need to be rooted in community experience and lived expertise. If you look to where harm reduction policies have been most effective in Massachusetts, it's precisely in those places where the policy decisions and implementation have been led by those who understand the impacted communities. It's time to apply that insight and knowledge to communities of color. Delaney Policy Group #healthdisparities #publichealth #racialequity #lobbying #publichealthpolicy #opioidepidemic Boston Public Health Commission New England Medical Association https://lnkd.in/ehSN2gf5

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Earlier this year, NASHP hosted 16 state teams and federal officials from eight agencies in Washington, DC, for a peer-to-peer learning exchange on innovative models, strategies, and policies to increase access to high-quality respite care services. Check out our new policy brief that outlines the respite innovations shared at the summit that states can replicate: https://loom.ly/v1kl1v4

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In our latest project, Maternal Success Kit, we co-designed a preventative intervention for child and family well-being for Black and Brown mothers in New Jersey. Our findings and critical learnings led to the creation of a pre-birth and post-birth kit for mothers and their babies. The PRE-BIRTH & POST-BIRTH KITS aim to empower mothers by promoting self-care, emotional awareness, confidence, safety, financial stability, community support, access to resources, and education on health, safety, and financial literacy, ultimately fostering holistic well-being for both mothers and their families. To conceptualize the packaging, the illustrations here represent three potential ideas. Though the packaging for the kit will need to be further prototyped. Through our conversations with the sprint participants, the kit should be designed with the following considerations: 1. BASKET. Celebratory and feel like a gift to the mother 2. BOX. Be inviting and uplifting. E.g, use of vibrant colors, inspiring messaging, etc. 3. HAMPER. Function as a reusable container to be used later as a storage To read the final report: https://lnkd.in/gF8d9fu7 To view the case study: https://lnkd.in/gaayMFPm #antiracism #blackmothers #brownmothers #chibydesign #codesign #childwellbeing #maternalcare #socialimpact #traumaresponsivedesign

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Addressing mental health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community requires an intersectional approach. We need inclusive settings, educated healthcare providers, and increased access to affirming services. Learn more about these initiatives, like the NYS OASAS Part 830 LGBTQ-Affirming Program Endorsement Standards and Guidance, which sets new standards for inclusive care. Forbes #HealthcareEquity #LGBTQHealth #InclusiveCare #HealthcareForAll #LGBTQRights

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Alongside many community members and organizations, we were proud to submit a public comment last year supporting the addition of a distinct Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) ethnic category and other updates that would allow for more specific reporting across race/ethnic categories in the U.S. Census and other federal data collection vehicles. These changes have been made official and are important because accurate data collection, disaggregation, and reporting are central to understanding and meeting community needs. More specifically, accurate and detailed public data about our local residents will help us serve our region better for many generations to come. As our partners at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy state, "What this means for communities nationwide is a monumental step forward in visibility and the actionability of public data for more inclusive outcomes." Learn more about these federal data collection updates: https://lnkd.in/gnH9YctR [Link preview description: A Muslim individual wearing a green hijab and glasses sitting at a desk and typing on a white laptop.] #MENA #USCensus #DataCollection #Advocacy #CommunityFoundation #DiversityEquityInclusion

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Share your story with the New York State Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center! We are always looking for people to share their story via our newsletter. If anyone is interested connect with me, Amplify your journey with the TINRC! :) #NYSTINRC #jointhejourney #shareyourjourney #mentalhealth #wellness #nystinrcnewsletter

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Join us for the Health Opportunities for Policy Equity (HOPE) Challenge Forum: "Promoting Health Equity by Reducing Gun Violence in Communities of Color," taking place on Tuesday, June 4th, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, located at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. This crucial event is a collaborative effort between the Center for Health Disparities Solutions and the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins University. It includes a dynamic half-day program that features an awards luncheon, with discussions centered on leveraging public policy to mitigate health disparities exacerbated by gun violence. The forum will kick off at 9:30 AM with a warm welcome from Dr. Darrell Gaskin of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions and Dr. Cass Crifasi, Associate Professor at the Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. At 9:45 AM, delve into "America’s Urban Gun Crisis: Unpacking the Causes, Disparities, and Policies," a panel moderated by journalist and talk show host Roland S. Martin. The panel includes insights from Daniel W. Webster, SCD, MPH, Bloomberg Professor of American Health, Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and Rodney Bryant, President, of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement From 10:45 AM, engage in the fireside chat titled "Communities, Policing, and Mental Health: A Civil & Human Rights Perspective," also moderated by Roland S. Martin. This discussion features Fatimah Loren Dreier, Executive Director of The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention and Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education, Nicholas Scott Meyerson, Research Fellow, of Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions along with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, National Director of Moms Demand Action. The event will also feature a Keynote speech by Reverend Al Sharpton who is the CEO and President of the National Action Network The HOPE Challenge aims to propel equity-centered federal policy solutions to close preventable racial and ethnic health disparities in areas such as HIV/AIDS, heart disease, gun violence, and maternal and infant mortality. This initiative's inaugural event featured Congresswoman Maxine Waters and was broadcast on C-SPAN. This forum is essential for legislators, health professionals, policy advocates, community leaders, and anyone dedicated to improving health outcomes through policy reform. Don't miss this pivotal opportunity to join the conversation and be part of the solution to one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. For more information and to register, follow the QR code!

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ADVOCACY ALERT! Help support our Developmental Disability Service System! Governor Newsom's May Revise Budget proposes delaying promised funds for developmentally disabled services, risking a collapse of the system. The May Revise proposes postponing pay increases for disability care workers and forgoing Medicaid reimbursements, affecting services that support over 400,000 people with disabilities in California. Advocacy efforts, including attending rallies, contacting legislators, and raising awareness on social media, are crucial to convincing legislators to oppose this proposal before the June 15th deadline and negotiating a final budget deal. What we're asking you to do right now: 1. Click here to sign and send an email or tweet to Californian legislators who have the power to oppose the proposal. https://p2a.co/U4MiflR 2. Make plans to join the "Keep the Promise" rally on May 31st. It takes place from 10 AM to 12 PM in front of Senator Susan Rubio's office at 100 S. Vincent Ave. in West Covina, CA. It's an event that calls for all service providers, individuals served, families, and community members to come together and advocate for continued support and resources for those in need. All attendees are being asked to wear blue to show solidarity and support for the cause of ensuring that promises made to those who rely on them most are kept! We appreciate your attention and support on behalf of everyone we serve! #advocacy #nonprofit #thecampbellcenter #disabilityrights #DisabilitySupport #california

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During #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, it's essential to shed light on the complex factors contributing to the current state of Black maternal health in the U.S. A recent issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families examines the interplay of systemic racism, discrimination in healthcare, and economic inequities that lead to disparate maternal health outcomes for Black women. Economic inequities, in particular, have a significant impact on Black maternal health. Studies show that Black women face wealth and income gaps, which can negatively affect their health outcomes. They also report that adults in communities of color, especially Black adults, are more likely to have medical debt reported to collections. Rivia Health recognizes the importance of addressing economic barriers to maternal healthcare. We ensure women have access to zero-interest, credit-risk-free financing, preventing them from being sent to collections or resorting to financing healthcare payments with credit card debt. Our platform makes it easier for patients to become aware of, understand, manage, and pay their bills, empowering them to take control of their financial health during this critical time. Through our work, Rivia Health aims to reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women by addressing the economic challenges they face. We believe that all mothers deserve access to quality healthcare without compromising their financial stability. To learn more about the factors influencing Black maternal health and the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing this issue, we encourage you to read the full issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families. https://lnkd.in/ghKN8dC2

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