HJNO Jul/Aug 2020

30 JUL / AUG 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs glaucoma, but also to determine how well treat- ments are working. “COVID-19 times call for unique ways to check eye pressure in glaucoma patients,” said Al- Dujaili. “It’s a good alternative to having an in- office visit.” The drive-through eye pressure checks are fol- lowed up either by a telehealth visit with their LSU Healthcare Network physicians or a telephone call, depending upon the patients’ digital tech- nology capabilities. COVID-19 Recovery Grants ProgramLaunched to Help Community Organizations Louisiana Healthcare Connections announced the launch of a new grant program focused on supporting community-based organizations in addressing the social and healthcare needs of families and individuals affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program is a new addition to the health plan’s Community Health Grants program, which has awarded more than $150,000 to organizations statewide since its launch in 2018. The Community Health Grants program is a key element in Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ multi-tiered, statewide strategy to address nutrition and food security as a key social determinant of health. The COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program expands the grant program to offer support specifically to non-profit organizations that are based in Louisiana and serve the Medicaid pop- ulation. Grant awards of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to assist eligible organizations that are creating innovative solutions to address the social service and healthcare needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of eligible programs include, but are not limited to, those that address: • Homelessness and housing, including rental assistance; • Social isolation; • Transportation, including the delivery of food and diapers; • Utility assistance; and/or • Food insecurity and hunger, among others. “Too many families and individuals in commu- nities across our state are struggling with these issues, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jamie Schlottman, CEO of Lou- isiana Healthcare Connections. “This grant pro- gram allows us to work collaboratively with our state’s community-based organizations to ensure that one of the state’s most vulnerable popula- tions has access to the resources they need to overcome these social determinants of health.” Grant proposals are reviewed weekly. Pro- posals may be approved, declined, or held for consideration for later funding. Organizations with approved proposals will receive grant funds within 30 days. Additional information about COVID-19 Recov- ery Grants Program as well as the formal RFP are available online at www.LouisianaHealthConnect. com/grants. Questions may be directed to Com- munityGrants@LouisianaHealthConnect.com . AKA Sorority Provides Lunch for DePaul Community Health Centers Staff Members of the Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. provided lunch for staff at eight DePaul Commu- nity Health Centers (DCHC) locations on April 23. The sorority’s gesture highlighted apprecia- tion for frontline healthcare workers who serve the community during the on-going COVID-19 virus pandemic. “The outpouring of support and appreciation for healthcare workers means a lot during this crit- ical time, and speaks to the importance of our work,” said Michael G. Griffin, president/CEO of DCHC. “We thank the AKA Sorority for recogniz- ing our staff by providing lunch Thursday. Con- tinuing to assist and support each other bodes well for helping everyone overcome these chal- lenging times.” Members of the Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. provided lunch for staff at eight DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) locations. Pictured at the event, left to right, are Stephenie Marshall, ABO-AKA Target # 2 co-chairperson for nutrition and care for the caregiver, and DePaul Community Health Centers' executive director; Tekeda Ferguson, ABO-AKA Target #2 Health Committee co- chairperson; Michael G. Griffin, DePaul Community Health Centers' president and CEO; Frank Folino, DePaul Community Health Centers' chief operating officer and vice president; KiTani Lemieux, ABO-AKA first vice president; and Christine F. Mitchell, ABO-AKA president. Photo Credit: Brandin Jordan, DePaul Community Health Centers