Monthly Newsletter April 23, 2025April 23, 2025

Welcome to our digital newsletter! Your source for updates on health equity initiatives, community partnerships, and IHN programs, it’s your go-to source for collaboration, innovation, and impact in the St. Louis region & beyond. Let’s build healthier communities together.

April is a powerful month for public health, equity, and justice.

From National Second Chance Month and National Minority Health Month to key observances like World Health Day (April 7), National Public Health Week (April 1–7), and Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17), April brings important reminders of the work that remains — and the progress underway.

At the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN), we’re committed to advancing health equity, strengthening community systems, and uplifting those impacted by social and structural inequities — every day of the year.

This month, we reflect, recommit, and reimagine what’s possible when we work together to build a healthier, more just future for all.

But we can’t do it alone.

In today’s unpredictable world, nonprofits face fluctuating funding—making your support more crucial than ever. Give STL Day is a 24-hour giving event hosted by the St. Louis Community Foundation to inspire generosity and strengthen the nonprofits that serve our region. Since 2014, it has raised millions for organizations like ours doing vital, on-the-ground work in our communities.

IHN connects underserved communities to medical, behavioral, and social services, and builds bridges between hospitals, clinics, and community organizations—ensuring no one falls through the cracks.

Here’s how you can help:

🗓️ Early Giving Begins: April 23, 2025
🗓️ Give STL Day: May 8, 2025

Now is the time to invest in the causes you believe in. A gift to IHN supports meaningful work that makes our region healthier, more equitable, and more connected.

Help us continue to serve—and grow—by giving today:
🔗 https://www.givestlday.org/organization/IHN

February Archive

CITY OF ST. LOUIS INVESTS IN HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY HEALTH & ECONOMIC GROWTH

The St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) is strengthening the region’s healthcare safety net through strategic capacity-building and key partnerships with local health centers. With $12.87 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of St. Louis, IHN and its partners—Affinia Healthcare, CareSTL Health, Family Care Health Centers, and People’s Health Centers—have implemented transformative infrastructure improvements to expand access to care, create jobs, and address the impacts of COVID-19. The funding supports new clinic construction, community health worker programs, Medicaid enrollment, and more, while additional investments from the City’s Office of Violence Prevention and Affordable Housing Commission further address community health and equity. IHN remains deeply grateful for the City’s ongoing commitment to public health and the social determinants that shape community well-being. Read the full article HERE.

FROM THE FRONTLINES TO CAPITOL HILL: WHY CHWS MATTER NOW MORE THAN EVER

From the Frontlines to Capitol Hill: Why CHWs Matter Now More Than Ever

As a Community Health Worker (CHW) leader of influence, I recently had the honor of attending the 3rd Annual Capitol Hill Visit, co-hosted by the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) and Partners In Health (PIH). It was a powerful and purposeful experience—walking the halls of Congress, not just as one voice, but as a united front for the CHW workforce across the nation.

We advocate for the voiceless. We are present where others are absent. We show up when systems fail, and we guide our communities through the daily struggles of accessing care, managing chronic conditions, finding housing, and navigating the healthcare system.

And yet, today, CHWs are facing nationwide funding cuts—cuts that threaten not only our jobs but the stability and health of the very communities we serve.

Sustainability matters. These cuts highlight why we must fight for fair pay, livable wages, and long-term investment in CHWs. We cannot pour from an empty cup. As CHWs, we understand deeply that charity begins at home—we must take care of ourselves so we can continue showing up fully for others.

That’s why I’m calling on all partners, allies, and constituents to stand with us and support the Community Health Workers Access Act. This legislation would expand access to CHW services through Medicaid and Medicare and help solidify our place in the healthcare system—not just as temporary support but as permanent, essential members of the care team.

We’ve impacted thousands of lives because we were present—in real time, in real neighborhoods, with real solutions. Our communities still need us. We need our jobs to sustain our work.

Now is not the time to give up on the CHW workforce.

We are resilient. We are trusted. We are essential. And we will continue to rise.

We may be facing hard times, but always remember:
Mountaintops encourage you, and valleys mature you.

Let’s keep fighting for what is right—for the CHW workforce and for the well-being of our communities nationwide.

AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

We were honored to help kick off National Public Health Week with the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice!

On Monday, April 7, IHN’s President and CEO Andwele Jolly, DPT, MBA, MHA, opened the week with a powerful message of hope and action during the welcome session at the Wool Center. His remarks helped set the tone for a week dedicated to public health, equity, and community collaboration.

From thought-provoking student panels and campus walks to engaging tabling events, the energy and commitment to building a healthier, more just world were front and center.

A huge thank you to SLU’s College for Public Health and Social Justice for inviting us to be part of this celebration. We’re proud to partner in advancing health equity in the St. Louis region and beyond.

KIMBERLY ENARD, PHD, FACHE, INTERVIEW WITH THE JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

Dr. Kimberly Enard, Associate Professor and Director of the MHA Program at Saint Louis University, brings a unique perspective to healthcare, rooted in her early experience as a caregiver and journalist. Her personal journey led her to pursue advanced degrees in health administration and public health, ultimately shaping a career focused on addressing health disparities and improving healthcare delivery for underserved communities.
In her interview with the Journal of Healthcare Management, Dr. Enard emphasizes the importance of community engagement, particularly through community-based participatory research (CBPR), to develop effective, lasting healthcare solutions. She highlights the need for health systems to build trust and collaborate with community leaders—especially before a crisis—to ensure equitable care access and outcomes.

Throughout the interview, Dr. Enard underscores the importance of evaluating community programs, such as patient navigation and care coordination efforts like IHN’s Community Referral Coordinator (CRC) program. She advocates for sustainable funding models and better integration between public health and healthcare systems to address social determinants of health. Dr. Enard also stresses the urgency of diversifying the healthcare workforce, encouraging health systems to support inclusive student pipelines that reflect the communities they serve. Her work illustrates the transformative power of collaboration, equity-focused innovation, and a deep commitment to serving marginalized populations.

More more information, read the full article HERE.

Highlighting the real-life impact of the IHN. From the experiences of our dedicated staff to testimonies from the community we serve, these stories showcase the importance of access, collaboration, and compassionate care in our community.

At the St. Louis Integrated Health Network, we believe our people are the heart of our mission—and two individuals who exemplify that every day are Kelvin Melton and Virginia Moore, members of our RELINK team. Their commitment to justice-involved individuals and their passion for transformative, community-based care continue to inspire everyone around them. Their leader Latrice Tate was honored to share these reflections on the powerful impact they make:

Kelvin and Virginia are shining examples of what it means to serve with heart, humility, and purpose. We’re proud to have them on our team and even prouder of the impact they make every single day.

JUSTICE INITIATIVES

When justice-involved people re-enter their communities after time in jail, they often face a unique set of challenges that can limit their abilities to succeed and stay out of the criminal justice system in the future. At IHN, we believe that equitable access to health and justice is a fundamental right. Through our Justice Initiatives, we aim to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequity, prioritizing reforms that address the unique challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the criminal justice system. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with community leaders, health professionals, and justice advocates to implement restorative practices, enhance diversion programs, and expand holistic care for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. The Justice Initiatives portfolio is made up of three different initiatives: Reentry Community Linkages (RELINK), Health and Social Services Network (HSSN) , and the Transition Clinic (TC).  
 

RE-LINK

RE-LINK pairs people leaving city and county jails, MDOC facilities and people on probation and parole, with a team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) who: Work to address the needs of clients by working on self-identified goals, and leveraging connections to a network of resources that address an individual’s social determinants of health. RE-LINK works to:

• Reduce supervision violations resulting in fewer incarceration days within the first-year post release

• Improve the life and health outcomes of our justice involved individuals from marginalized communities,

• Reduce recidivism, and

• Present an alternative to incarceration that prioritizes a client’s holistic and unique needs

HSSN

HSSN workgroups focus on identifying and dismantling systems and policies that perpetuate barriers and inequity for justice involved individuals in the following social determinants of health areas:

• Housing
• Employment/Workforce Development
• Behavioral Health (Substance Use & Mental Health)
• Healthcare Access
• Legal Support
• OTHER Social Determinant of Health Needs (clothing, food, transportation, etc.)
  

Transition Clinic

In partnership with the national Transition Clinic Network IHN will pilot multiple TC’s in the STL area. TC’s provide a patient-centered primary care medical home for chronically-ill returning community members. Each TC is based within safety-net community health centers in neighborhoods most impacted by incarceration, and provides:

• Community health workers with a history of incarceration as part of an integrated medical team
• Linkages with correctional partners to provide continuity of care
• Easy access to comprehensive primary care
• Culturally competent, patient-centered medical services
• Close partnerships with local reentry and social services organizations to address social determinants of health

TCs work to:

• Reduce overall emergency room utilization

• Reduce criminal justice and Medicaid costs for the State of Missouri

• Reduce preventable hospitalizations

To learn more, visit the Justice Initiatives page HERE.

Highlighting the power of partnership. From community-based organizations to healthcare institutions, IHN is proud to collaborate across sectors to advance health equity in the St. Louis region and beyond.

Transitions of Care Taskforce (TOC)

Our Transitions of Care Taskforce (TOC) is a group of cross-functional group of providers and health leaders focused on strengthening collaboration by addressing policy and practice issues from a system’s perspective to improve care transitions across the healthcare system. The goal of the TOC is to promote high-quality, safe, and efficient patient transitions of care between a hospital (inpatient or emergency department) and an outpatient setting including coordinated appointments and transfer of important clinical information.

We had our first TOC meeting of 2025 on Thursday, March 27, at Community Impact Network, the group meets quarterly. It was very well attended; we had presentations from Brooklyn Williams from the COMPASS Project at WashU and Hanna Oberg from Family Care Health Centers. We spent the remainder of the meeting discussing priorities within our workgroups, which are broken into varying health populations (Adult, Pediatric, Maternal, Geriatric, and Behavioral). This year, we will be focusing on a singular priority within each of these groups to tackle issues within transitions of care as it relates to these specific populations. Our next meeting will be Thursday, June 26 from 1-3PM. If you have interest in joining TOC please reach out to Erin Murphy, emurphy@stlouisihn.org.

FEDERAL

• On March 15, 2025, the President signed a “continuing resolution” that will fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year (Sept. 30), avoiding a government shutdown. Among other items included, the Community Health Center Fund was funded at $2.1 billion for the remainder of the fiscal year, a slight reduction from funding in previous years.
• The House passed the Senate-passed Budget Resolution on April 10 that would provide over $5 trillion for extending tax cuts and other Trump administration priorities while requiring cuts of at least $1.5 trillion in the federal budget that is likely to impact Medicaid and other safety net programs. Discussions are scheduled to conclude in early May, and it remains vital that community groups and individuals talk to their Congressional representatives about the importance of Medicaid in the coming weeks.
• As part of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts, the entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was terminated. This program provides support to millions of Americans with their heating and cooling bills and still has funding to allocate but lacks the staff to allocate the funds. Additionally, reports indicate up to one-third of the staff at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) which has oversight of FQHCs, among other things, was terminated.

STATE

• The House passed a $48 billion budget that is now with the Senate awaiting approval, $3 billion less than last year and roughly $2 billion less than the Governor Kehoe’s proposed budget.
• On March 17, Governor Kehoe signed a $2 billion supplemental appropriation bill that adds additional monies to the current year’s state budget which ends June 30. The supplemental budget bill includes money for services for the developmentally disabled, avian flu response, and summer food programs.
• Jessica Bax has been confirmed as the head of the Department of Social Services, under which MO Health Net and the Family Support Division sit.
• House Republicans have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to effective ban nearly all abortions with limited exceptions in an effort to turn back the November 2024 vote that overturned the state’s near-total abortion ban. The proposal still has to pass the full House and Senate and would be slotted for the November 2026 election unless an earlier election is called by Gov. Kehoe.
• Voter-passed paid sick leave provisions are set to go into effect May 1, with employers required to give their workers written notice of their rights by April 15. However, House Republicans and business groups have worked together to potentially remove sick leave, and the legislation now sits with the Senate.
  • In addition, the Missouri Supreme Court is considering a case brought by business associations and voters arguing that

LOCAL

• Cara Spencer defeated Tishaura Jones in the St. Louis mayoral election. Staffing announcements are being made on a regular basis, and we continue to monitor the impact of these staffing changes and any shifts in priorities.  

• St. Louis AANHPI Health Summit: SAVE THE DATE: April 25th | More information to come!
• Meet the IHN Health Insurance Navigator | Tuesdays – Ongoing, 2:00pm-5:00pm | Divoll Branch of the St. Louis Public Library (4234 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63107
• Health and Wellness Fair | April 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm | 5569 Page Blvd. 63112
• Reentry Resource Fair | April 24th, 12:30pm-2:00pm | St Louis County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis MO 63121
• Parking Lot Fridays | May 2nd, 1:00pm-4:00pm | 3300 S Jefferson Ave/63118
• 28th Annual What’s Right with the Region | May 15th, 5:00pm-8:00pm | Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL), 1 Touhill Cir, St. Louis, MO 63121
• From Staff Nurse to Charge Nurse | May 22nd, 8:00AM-4:40PM | Drury Plaza East Columbia, MO 65201
• OVP Kickback + Black the Violence | May 25th, 12:00PM-5:00PM | 2000 Black of East Fair Avenue
• Salvation Army Ferguson Empowerment Center Pathway to Health | June 7th, 10:00am-1:00pm | 9420 W Florissant Ave, / 63136.
• Hyde Park Community Care Day | June 21st, 10:00am – 2:00pm | 1900 Bremen Ave, St. Lous, 63107