SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health executives and staff recently spent time with local seniors at the Goleta Valley Community Center, one of 11 sites across the county where the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) provides a nutritious meal…
Category: Health
Montecito Family YMCA: 7 Healthy Habits for Your Family to Help Solve Childhood Obesity
California now ranked No. 1 in percentage of children considered overweight or obese; Childhood obesity has more than tripled during the past 30 years MONTECITO – September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and while the dangers of childhood obesity are…
Mental Wellness Center Extends Family Advocate Hours for Community Members
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center is pleased to announce it has extended the hours of its Family Advocate, offering everyone in the community access to information, support and resources related to mental health for a family member or…
CenCal Health Launches Campaign to Educate Provider Community on Behavioral Health Services in SB, SLO Counties
CENTRAL COAST – CenCal Health, in partnership with the Central Coast Medical Association, The Holman Group, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness and San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department recently hosted three seminars in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San…
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Awarded $11,000 to Support their Continued Leadership in Community Health Care
Foundation recognizes health center as vital member of California’s safety net SANTA BARBARA — Blue Shield of California Foundation has just awarded a grant of $11,000 in unrestricted funds to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics in recognition of their critical role in…
Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run Raises More Than $210,000 to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke
CENTRAL COAST — More than 1 in 3 Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Santa Barbara resident and owner of Tri-County Produce, John Dixon is all too familiar with this devastating disease. He was born with heart disease and had…
Ventura County Heart & Stroke Walk/Run Raised Nearly $150,000 to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke
CENTRAL COAST — Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. – killing about 2,200 Americans each day – one every 40 seconds. To combat these statistics, the American Heart Association (AHA) hosted…
Braille Institute Offers More Than 70 Fall Classes to Help People with Low Vision Pursue Passions and Stay Active in Our Communities
Free, innovative classes build confidence and skills to help people return to activities they love SANTA BARBARA —Free fall classes at Braille Institute Santa Barbara offer life-enhancing and life-changing experiences to anyone in the tri-county area facing the challenges of vision loss. The fall…
Resolving the ‘Hispanic Paradox’ — Study co-authored by a UCSB researcher reveals Latinos age slower, neutralizing higher health risks of obesity and diabetes
By Jim Logan / UC Santa Barbara A new paper co-authored by a UC Santa Barbara researcher reveals that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in the current issue of Genome Biology, may one day…
NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County to Offer Family-to-Family Education Program for Families of Adults Living with Mental Illness
SANTA BARBARA — NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County, a program of the Mental Wellness Center, will offer its Family-to-Family Education Program for family members of adults living with mental health conditions. The free, 12-session course is designed to help all…
Gold Coast Health Plan Turns 5
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Celebrate 5-Year Anniversary CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is celebrating its five-year anniversary on Friday, July 29 with a fun event that will recognize the contributions of the Plan’s employees. GCHP went live on July…
Foodbank Needs Your Help to End Summer Hunger
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Seeks Donations by June 30 to Reach $100K Matching Grant SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is approaching the end of its End Summer Hunger campaign, a month-long campaign to raise $100K to help feed…
Just Being Healthy in Today’s Mobile World
Just Being Healthy (JBH) will participate in the 5th annual Global Wellness Day, an international day to celebrate wellness and healthy living, by working to improve a person’s total body wellness caused by the stressors of life, and in many…
Certificate in Healthcare Interpreting available through CSU Channel Islands beginning fall 2016
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) will offer classes required for a Certificate of Healthcare Interpreting beginning in fall of 2016. The Healthcare Interpreter Certificate prepares students to become English-Spanish interpreters in medical settings, a field that is exploding with opportunity. According to…
Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Andrea Carnaghe as New Board Chair
SANTA BARBARA— The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce Andrea Carnaghe as the organization’s new board chair. The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization providing recovery, education, and support services for individuals affected by mental illness including…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Welcomes Michelle Dahlkemper and Lailain McGrath
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Michelle Dahlkemper as Chief Operating Officer. Dahlkemper brings sixteen years of experience as a registered nurse with extensive experience in post-acute healthcare including palliative…
Gold Coast Health Plan Awards Nearly $60,000 to Support Community Health Care Programs in Ventura County
Medi-Cal Plan Issues Funds Under New Community Investment Initiative CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is sponsoring two programs under its newly created Alternative Resources for Community Health (ARCH) initiative. The goal of ARCH is to invest in the health and…
Bilingual commentary: Cognitive Testing…What’s My Name?
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
CenCal Health Presents Dignity Health with Healthcare Innovation Award for Outstanding Care and Service
SANTA BARBARA / SAN LUIS OBISPO — CenCal Health, the health care program serving low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, presented a Healthcare Innovation Award to Dignity Health at their board meeting on May 18. The…
May is Mental Health Month: Mental Wellness Center Offers Tips to Improve Your Mental Wellness
SANTA BARBARA — In honor of Mental Health Month in May, the Mental Wellness Center is spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. The nonprofit organization is offering the community a few easy tips to…
Letter Carriers prepare to collect and carry more than 100,000 pounds of food in one day for Ventura County’s hungry
VENTURA COUNTY — On Saturday, May 14, Ventura County letter carriers will be caravanning more than just incoming and outgoing mail; and community members won’t have to venture far from their doorsteps to give back to the local hungry in…
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. celebrates 2016 National Women’s Health Week throughout Ventura County through May 14
VENTURA COUNTY — May 8-14th, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will host events in honor of National Women’s Health Week! Women throughout Ventura County can visit any of the 13 Clinicas Health Centers and participate in the FREE activities being…
VCMMCC Signals Rejection of Pharmacy Benefit Manager Selection
Commissioners to be More Active in the Selection Process CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) directed staff to prepare an agenda item for an upcoming special meeting formally rejecting all current bids received for the pharmacy benefit manager…
Community Discovers Future of Technology for Visually Impaired
SANTA BARBARA — Technology leaders recently shared insights on the evolution and future of technologies for the visually impaired at a Braille Institute Santa Barbara community education event titled Active Aging with Low Vision: Focus on Technology. Guests enjoyed a…
VCMRF’s Children’s Resource Program
WHY WAIT A YEAR? Protect your senses! Once a year a charitable event generously offers a free dental clinic; however, every day there is a child in pain who requires help, NOW! The Children’s Resource Program (CRP) began 31 years…
Bilingual commentary: The Vegetarian Decision
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
Gold Coast Health Plan Gets Green Light from State to Repay County Loan
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan in Strong Financial Position CAMARILLO — As a continuing sign of its strong financial performance, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) received approval from the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to repay a $7.2 million line…
Guest commentary: Multicultural Mental Health — Community Defined Practices
Message Therapy: The Intuitive Touch Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805.…
CenCal Health Receives Community Partners in Excellence Award, Additional Recognition from California Assembly and Senate
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) presented CenCal Health with the “2016 Community Partners in Excellence Award” on March 8 during PHorum: Perspectives in Healthcare, a healthcare symposium hosted annually by VNHC. That same evening, CenCal Health…
Braille Institute Santa Barbara Hosts Active Aging with Low Vision Community Education Event
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, Braille Institute Santa Barbara hosted Active Aging with Low Vision: Focus on Cooking and Nutrition, a free community education event highlighting ways that people can stay safe in the kitchen as their vision changes. This event…
CenCal Health Partners with Community Action Commission of SB County and Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County to Bolster Meal Delivery Service for Seniors
SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – CenCal Health is partnering with the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) and the Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo County to support their meal delivery services for seniors. On Jan.…
Mental Wellness Center Awarded National Three-Year CARF Accreditation
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center, a local nonprofit that provides services to adults and families affected by mental illness, has been awarded a three-year accreditation by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). “We are thrilled to…
Senior Health Professionals Learn About Aging in Place with Vision Loss
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, healthcare providers and professional caregivers in Santa Barbara County gathered at Braille Institute Santa Barbara for a Distinguished Speaker Breakfast: Aging in Place with Vision Loss. Breakfast presenters Jon K. Hayashida, O.D., FAAO, Braille Institute Clinical…
HSB and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Partner for Student Bereavement
SANTA YNEZ — Hospice of Santa Barbara is partnering with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School to provide group and individual bereavement counseling free of charge to students on campus during school hours. Through this new partnership, school counselors will…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting dental health fair on Feb. 27 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month
OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on…
Local NAMI Chapter Offering ‘Family-to-Family’ Educational Course for Family Members of Adults Living with Mental Illness
SANTA BARBARA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Santa Barbara County is inviting family members of adults living with serious mental health conditions to register for its upcoming “Family-to-Family” education program. The free, 12-session course is designed…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Announces Rosanna Dellegrotti MSN, RN as Quality, Compliance & Education Director
SANTA BARBARA – Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) welcomes Rosanna Dellegrotti MSN, RN, as new Director of Quality, Compliance & Education. Ms. Dellegrotti has more than 35 years of nursing experience; 22 years being in critical care and has held…
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care Welcomes Kyrie Belme as Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care(VNHC) is pleased to announce Kyrie Belme as Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator. Belme brings experience working with local nonprofits and a flair for creativity. As Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator, Belme will assist…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Welcomes Scott Gordon as Annual Giving Coordinator
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Scott Gordon as Annual Giving Coordinator. Gordon brings years of experience working in various professions including development, software and management, along with a background…
Local Hospice Nonprofits Partner to Ensure No One Dies Alone
Hospice of Santa Barbara is partnering with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care to revitalize its work in the national No One Dies Alone program. The organizations will provide training that will allow their volunteers to offer compassionate bedside presence for…
CSU Channel Island students offer free in-home service for Latina/os with traumatic brain injury
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) Health Science students are seeking Ventura County Latina/os with a traumatic brain injury to take part in a free in-home service called “Trabajadora de Salud,” the university reported in a media release. Assistant Professor of Health…
Bilingual commentary: Obesity…And We Wonder Why?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor There was an interesting juxtaposition of articles in this past week’s Ventura County Star. One of them* was entitled “Americans becoming more obese,” as in, what else is new? In the same section of the newspaper, there…
Gold Coast Health Plan to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month with resource fair on Nov. 7 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in November with a “Diabetes Awareness Resource Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oxnard Public Library, 1251 S. A St., Oxnard. The program will feature…
November cover story: Area agencies prepare to wage war on hunger
Holiday season is typical time for organizations to raise awareness of those in need in the region From Amigos805 staff reports Given the rebounding economy and the stereotypical image of a laid-back Golden State, the statistics seem stark. One in…
Health: Open Enrollment for Covered California begins Nov. 15
Period is one time of year when most Californians who need insurance cannot be denied by a health plan. Deadline is Feb. 15 By the Ventura County Health Care Agency VENTURA COUNTY — Open Enrollment starts Nov. 15 and continues…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of November in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of October in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…
September cover story: Tackling hunger one ‘Spoon FULL’ at a time
FOOD Share, Ventura County’s Food Bank, launches ‘Spoon FULL a Day’ pledge during Hunger Action Month in September From Amigos805 staff reports While September is typically the time to think about the coming fall and back to school, advocates want…
Health: Tomando Control de su Salud class hold graduation
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care hosts six-week Santa Barbara class developed by Stanford Department of Medicine to help local Spanish-speaking community with chronic conditions SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara County’s first Tomando Control de su Salud (Taking Control of Your Health) graduating class received…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of September in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health Care…
Guest commentary: The Oxnard Multicultural Mental Health Coaltion is moving forward
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor Sometimes…
Bilingual report: Inaugural ‘K through 12 Resource Fair’ to be held in Oxnard on Aug. 12
OXNARD — The Office of Jacqui Irwin, in collaboration with the Oxnard Police Activities League and Ventura County Public Health will present the inaugural “K through 12 Resource Fair” from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Oxnard PAL…
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. to present health fair / feria de salad in Oxnard on Aug. 9
OXNARD — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will present a health fair / feria de salud from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9 at Parque del Sol, 1800 Camino del Sol, Oxnard. The event will feature blood pressure,…
Guest commentary: From the cradle to the grave
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Rodolfo F. Acuña / Guest contributor I…
Local news briefs
VENTURA COUNTY — The United Way of Ventura County has launched its “Stuff the Bus” campaign to collect new school supplies through July 23. The supplies will be “stuffed” into backpacks for children from low-income families, the organization reported in…
Commentary: Peoples’ Self-Help Housing helps to fight summer brain drain
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With statistics showing that children lose one to three months of learning during the summer when they are out of school, it’s vital that parents find alternatives to keep those young minds active and…
Bilingual commentary: Americans—Not A Lazy People
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Sometimes…
Health: ‘Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo’ set for Ventura
The “Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo, Southern California’s Premier LIfestyle, Health & Active Aging Expo” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, in the San…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of July in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Bilingual report: ‘Movement, Balance and Health!’ conference for older adults to be held in Oxnard on June 27
OXNARD — A “Movement, Balance and Health!” conference for older adults will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Oxnard Family Circle ADHC at “The Palms” Outlet Center, 2100 Outlet Center Drive, Unit 280,…