What You Need to Know About Food Assistance and Quality Healthcare Amidst the Resurgence of COVID-19 in Denton County
There’s no escaping it…
COVID-19 is here to stay and the needs of Denton Community members are at an all-time high.
The pandemic has had lasting effects on the community, and the questions remain:
Will agencies have the energy to continue running at such a fast pace on top of the race they’ve been running over the past 17 months?
Can the demand for resources meet the demand for services needed?
Will people be still able to receive the help they need to stay on their feet?
But the answer is more complex than a simple yes.
Over the past year, all types of agencies have had to pivot and reimagine remote workforces, how to ensure the safety of both staff and clients, and find new ways to engage community members and meet their needs.
The ones who have stood up to the challenge have emerged stronger than ever. The factor separating them from those still grinding their gears to no avail is this: they have recalibrated their organization’s strategy and sustainability plans to accommodate the changing times.
And now, that calibration must continue.
David Rottkamp from the CPA Journal stated, “Nonprofit organizations that did not pivot their strategic vision are likely still struggling as much today as they were when the pandemic began.”
And when it comes to survival, there are two elements you don’t want to struggle to get––food and healthcare.
So let’s break these two components down.
Food assistance in Denton County
Before the pandemic, Denton Community Food Center served an average of 30-40 families a day, with each family allowed a visit 6 times a year. Currently, DCFC is serving 2.5 times more people than they were before COVID-19 hit, averaging 140 families a day twice a month.
Averaging 3000 individuals per week and 834 families per month, they have experienced an increase 4 times greater than their pre-pandemic numbers. While only being open 2 days a week, they have already distributed 690,000 pounds of food––the equivalent of 575,799 meals––in just a 6-month time frame from January to June.
With over half a million pounds and half a million meals in the first half of what was supposed to be the recovery year of 2021, their numbers almost mirror exactly what they served in the entirety of 2020.
At this rate, there is no question Denton Community Food Center will eclipse last year’s numbers, all the while getting ready for a presumed second resurgence as school is back in session.
What has contributed to such numbers?
Unemployment
The goal of Denton County is for people to get back on their own two feet and live independently. However, the drop off of unemployment money still hasn’t seemed to motivate certain people to go back to work. In many cases, certain people are receiving better benefits staying at home, than securing employment. Even multiple local businesses have weighed in on how difficult it is to find workers.
But Denton County Community Center is determined to be part of the solution. They have worked with United Way to create a database for available jobs that matches the people they serve with employment. They have the grid attached to a QR code that is posted at the food center, making it easy for people to take a picture of the code, see what jobs are available, and immediately apply.
Evictions
Even though the Eviction Moratorium in Denton County has been extended once again, a new issue regarding housing has arisen. People are now facing evictions due to landlords opting not to renew people’s leases who have had alternative funding or past difficulty paying. Even if these individuals are paid in current, these now high-risk tenants are caught off guard and forced to find alternative housing. But with such a tight market, and a hit on their credit history, the odds are set against them.
Proof that those looming questions still linger.
The growing concern regarding food assistance
According to County Coordination calls, there has been substantial stimulus money for rent and mortgage assistance, but food assistance has taken a back seat. With the county waiting on interpretation of funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) no money has been released and Denton Community Food Center has operated completely without government funding this entire year.
And if that weren’t a big enough challenge, donations have dropped off significantly.
Tom Newell, the director of DCFC states, “We are more concerned with the financial downturn we are seeing. Part is due to donor fatigue, and part is regrouping expenses versus revenues. We’ve dropped from 5 figures to 4 figures a month, which may mean reducing the volume of food for each family. Simply put, if we don’t have the cash flow, we can’t provide the food. We can’t run at the pace we’ve been doing without burning our reserves and assessing the different impacts.”
The simple truth remains: when there’s no money, there’s no food, which is why funding and donor support is at its most critical level.
But even through this challenge, DCFC is demonstrating one more way they are an invaluable asset to our community...
DCFC isn’t just surviving––they are thriving
Last week, Denton Community Food Center confirmed a grant request that will allow them to expand their city of Denton facility by adding 4,500 sq ft (50%) to their space to answer the call of the heightened community need. With their forward-thinking, they have already locked in steel costs in anticipation of the grant coming through, even amidst the challenge of acquiring building materials for construction.
With the goal of completing the project from January or February 2022, they will finally have the availability to house everything at their Denton facility without the hassle of leasing other properties to house materials and goods.
There’s no question that through a very trying 17 months, DCFC deserves a gold medal.
2. Access to quality healthcare in Denton County
Affordable and quality healthcare should be accessible for everyone.
At Health Services of North Texas, it is.
Since the dawn of COVID-19, HSNT has adapted its scheduling framework to accommodate telehealth care, ensured staff and patient safety, and created a safe and secure environment for both sick and well patients to receive the care they need.
From the providers, case managers, leadership team, office staff, and everyone in between, their team is dedicated to providing quality care that addresses each patient with genuine care, intentionality, and builds a relationship on established trust.
With awareness building regarding the spread of COVID-19 (and wanting to stay out of the ER), people are moving toward prevention, especially as the Delta Variant continues to pick up. For patients with chronic health issues, contracting the virus could pose an even greater threat, but HSNT offers a medical home where they can stay on top of their health to prevent contracting the virus.
These qualities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choosing HSNT as your top healthcare provider.
The growing concern regarding healthcare
This past June, Health Services of North Texas saw an increase in patients as the population in the Denton area continues to grow. And with the addition of their new pediatrician, they saw an influx of well-child checks. School has started up, and kids are required to be on top of their vaccinations per the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. Families with or without insurance can have their children vaccinated. Whether it be through a sliding scale fee or working with the families to find the resources, no child will be turned away.
With the virus’ increase in community spread, HSNT offers flexible scheduling templates which allows them to restructure their available appointments at a moment’s notice as the positivity rate in the community continues to change. The fluidity of the templates can track how both sick and well visit slots are utilized and can add more availability as needed while they monitor the surge of COVID-19 cases.
It’s no surprise that the virus has put so many people at a disadvantage and they want to be in a better place mentally. Fear, depression, and anxiety have wreaked havoc among so many people since the pandemic began, and the resurgence of the Delta Variant has only added to the issue. HSNT’s option for telemedicine has been extremely beneficial as behavioral health needs continue to increase.
*If you’re looking for help in regards to your mental health, schedule with a HSNT primary care provider and begin your journey to a healthier you.
HSNT isn’t just surviving––they are thriving
HSNT has worked relentlessly to provide high-quality care to every one of their patients, encouraging them to stay on track with their treatment plans and stay connected to their providers.
They have always ensured that the patient is the top priority.
But you know what they say… the proof is in the pudding.
Health Services of North Texas just announced their prestigious designation as Patient Centered Medical Home, a national gold-standard recognition that helps increase the quality of patient care by making the patient-provider relationship front and center. A Hartford Foundation study found that “the PCMH model resulted in a better experience for patients, with 83% of patients saying being treated in a PCMH improved health.”
Through the year-long process of applying for such a sought after designation, (in the midst of a global pandemic, by the way), each of their 6 sites qualified and were recognized for providing excellence in:
Quality of care provided
Care of the case management team
Policies and procedures
But this recognition isn’t just an award that’s been handed out. Each year HSNT will have to provide data and metrics to prove they are maintaining such excellent quality. And to ensure patients really are at the center of care, patients will have the opportunity to contribute to patient satisfaction after each visit.
It serves as a checks and balances system ensuring the utmost quality assurance and care for you.
From a patient’s perspective, HSNT being a Patient-Centered Medical Home only increases the confidence in care you are receiving. Whether you’re talking to a provider, office staff, or a member of the leadership team you can be assured that you will be listened to, be given as much time as you need to be heard, and be seen as a partner in your own health care.
The days of feeling rushed or devalued in regards to accessing medical care are over.
There’s no question what a community can achieve when determination is in the driver’s seat. Both Denton Community Food Center and Health Services of North Texas (along with Serve Denton’s other partner agencies) have shown how important it is to put people’s needs first, and are leading examples of pushing Denton County into a stronger and healthier community.