Health

10 HE ALTH • Winter 2020 president for strategic partnerships, said she's been impressed by how well such partners have worked more closely together during the pandemic to make sure kids' needs are still being met despite the health crisis. "That's one of the reasons I'm most proud to live in and work in the city," Pelley said. "It's because it's so collaborative." H Working in a new reality When the pandemic forced schools to go remote in the spring, staff at Kennedy and the Family Health Center began going through lists of students to find when they last had a physical or vaccination, or who might need particular outreach. Once Worcester Public Schools decided to do remote learning this fall, health staff got updated enrollment lists and started going through and marking which students needed to be contacted. The Family Health Center has been working to keep going some group activities, including one called Lunch Bunches, where students would bring their lunch to smaller gatherings to chat about how to stay healthy and have good nutritional habits. Today, those gatherings take place remotely, and the conversations can revolve around what they miss doing because of the pandemic or what they're looking forward to most once it's over. Another initiative, the Positive Directions program for students at risk of dropping out, has moved online with academic, social and emotional support for students. The program typically includes a summer program when students are about to enter high school, and continues DON'T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. Reach out today, call 855-UMASS-MD or visit umassmemorial.org/appointment As we resume our services, we understand that you may have concerns about coming to our locations, but when waiting can mean much worse, trust that you are safe at UMass Memorial. Led by the CDC and our own COVID task force, we've implemented the following changes: + Virtual visit options + Universal masking + Screenings upon arrival + Hand sanitizer stations + Social distancing + Stringent cleaning practices + Increased touch-free processes intensively through the school year. But regular meetings online have worked well, said Rodriguez, the director of school programs for the Family Health Center. For others, the Family Health Center has adjusted its hours to allow for later afternoon and early evening hours for students to stop by for check- ups or vaccines. Health providers who'd normally see students only at their own school center are now available to work with students anywhere, helping the center more quickly respond to students' needs. Providers and administrators at both community health centers said those partnerships are vital – including with public school systems, the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA and others that may be seeing more of students than they used to or playing a different role in their lives. At Kennedy, a program normally providing menstrual products for girls at school has instead been routed through a community partner, Girls Inc. The Family Health Center might not be seen as so trustworthy a partner if not for its relationship with school systems and primary care and other medical offices, said Valerie Pietry, the center's chief medical officer. "That connection is so important," Pietry said. Courtney Pelley, Kennedy's vice Continued from page 9 Family Health Center of Worcester staff donning personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTOS/COURTESY OF FAMILY HEALTH CENTER OF WORCESTER

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