by Michelle | Jul 17, 2019 | Being Well
Tillamook County Community Health Centers, our local public health authority and backbone for Tillamook County Wellness, has been awarded a Sustainable Relationships for Community Health (SRCH) grant from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The one-year grant will provide added staff capacity and technical assistance to address chronic disease prevention and management in Tillamook County. Funds from the grant will be used to hire a coordinator who will manage the project in conjunction with the Tillamook County Wellness Health Screening committee.
The OHA SRCH initiative is very aligned to the mission of Tillamook County Wellness, a collective of community partner organizations working together to reduce chronic disease rates, especially type 2 diabetes, by addressing the Social Determinants of Health. 
SRCH funds are intended to foster collaboration, reduce health disparities and healthcare costs and improve population health outcomes. This includes optimization of community and clinic-based health screenings, program referrals and reimbursement pathways.
Local healthcare partners, including the Tillamook County Community Health Centers (TCCHC), Adventist Health – Tillamook, Columbia Pacific CCO and Rinehart Clinic each play a key role in the Tillamook County Wellness Health Screening committee, with representatives from each organization serving on a core leadership team charged with fulfilling the grant requirements. Additionally, several community-based organizations such as the YMCA, NCRD, OSU Extension and Northwest Senior & Disability Services, among others, will participate in the project.
Together, committee members will:
- Assess existing health screening practices in clinical as well as community-based settings, including workplaces.
- Identify current chronic disease prevention and self-management programs and services to which people are being referred.
- Co-design recommendations for ways to modify or enhance screening and referral practices.
- Generate agreements for implementing improvements to systems processes and program access.
- Track and analyze screening, referral and program participation data to determine impact on health outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
- Develop recommendations for supporting programs and processes that are most effective for reducing chronic disease rates and improving individual health.
“With 90% of all healthcare costs being spent on the treatment of chronic and mental health conditions, it is imperative that we connect people with the resources they need to get and stay healthy,” states Marlene Putman, Tillamook County Public Health Administrator and Tillamook Community Health Centers Director. “There are so many great programs already in place here – the Diabetes Prevention Program, CHIP, cooking classes and fitness programs through the YMCA, NCRD and OSU Extension. We know these programs work. We have data that shows how people who take advantage of these programs improve their health. We just need to be more intentional about how we connect people, programs and processes so that everyone wins.” Putman adds that increasing access to programs by reducing cost and transportation barriers are among the strategies being explored. One of the goals of the project is to better understand the factors that lead to increased program participation and adherence, as well as where people are experiencing barriers. These considerations can then be built into the design of community and clinic-based support networks to optimize system workflows, program delivery and population health outcomes.
To learn more, visit at tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
by Michelle | May 31, 2019 | Move Well
What began as an idea for a fun PE class has turned into a new community recreation asset. Thanks to the efforts of Jamie Dixson, Athletic Director and PE teacher, students at East Elementary and Tillamook Junior High School have a new disc golf course and curriculum added to their PE programming. The new Bohannon Disc Golf Course is also open to the public and hosted its inaugural tournament on May 30th.
Dixson frequently brings in members of the community and outside experts to introduce students to a variety of physical activities as part of the Junior High PE curriculum. Last year two pro disc golfers come to the school to teach a unit on disc golf. Kids of all athletic abilities were able to be successful at the sport and really liked it. Dixson realized they had the space to add a course within the school’s sports complex and got to work raising funds to bring the idea to fruition.
Located at 3906 Alder Lane in Tillamook, the Bohannon Disc Golf Course was built around Bud’s Community Fitness Trail at Tillamook Junior High School, just behind Tillamook Bowling Lanes. Like Bud’s Trail, the disc golf course has been made possible solely through grants and fundraisers. According to Dixson who has led the fundraising efforts, “Bud’s Fitness Trail and the Bohannon Disc Golf Course are works in progress. As donations come in, we are able to add more amenities to the facilities.”
When not in use for school programming, the course is open to the public, free of charge. Community members are encouraged to use the course and should be aware that it is a multi-use facility. Safety and respect for other users is important and may require flexibility of play, such as skipping a basket, depending on how many users are on the course at the same time. People are also reminded they need to respect neighboring property lines and school use. A sign located by the first station, or tee box, outlines the rules of play.
For more information, contact Jamie Dixson at (503 ) 812-8710 or Collin Walker at (503) 380-0484.
Follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook for information about local wellness activities.
by Michelle | May 23, 2019 | Why I'm In
Photo Credit: Cody Mann, Headlight Herald
The Tillamook County Wellness “Why I’m In” interview series highlights our community partners and what has inspired and motivated them to work toward the common goal of improving community health. You can learn more about our partners at tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org.
“WHY I’M IN …” Suzanne Weber, Mayor, City of Tillamook and Wellness Task Force Member
What drew you/your organization into the Year of Wellness, now Tillamook County Wellness?
Weber: I have always been committed to well-being and have been involved in health promotion at the state level and through my 30 years of prior teaching experience. This is invaluable work. I appreciate how this is being addressed from a greater scope, calling attention to issues affecting health.
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
Weber: There is an increased focus – a refocus – on how wellness can be achieved through improved nutrition, exercise and other aspects. People and organizations are coming together, learning from each other. It’s not just about physical health, but also about mental wellbeing. I am seeing progress. It’s making a difference.
One of the things the City has done is to expand walkability through sidewalk improvements, such as those along 12th Street near Tillamook High School. People are walking more. It’s a safety issue. The City has also incorporated physical activity into all transportation planning, including along the clinic-to-college route, which features a bike lane and the addition of sidewalks along Third Street. We have seen increased involvement with healthcare partners, such as the addition of an exercise station next to Adventist Health’s clinic on Third Street and Birch Avenue, the first of what is hoped to be many such stations along that route.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
Weber: I have learned you don’t give up. You keep at it. You keep repeating things, telling people about ways to improve their health habits, giving them opportunities to engage.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
Weber: Once the City Hall renovation is complete, we will have our own small gym space in the basement. We have a wellness committee and we plan to expand our program, adding competitions and will be looking at staff participation at the YMCA. We have 29 employees. The nature of our public works projects creates a lot of physical work requirements. We want our employees to be safe and fit.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to changing population health in Tillamook County.
Weber: My hope is that we increase interconnectivity between the cities that make up Tillamook County – that we are a “united county” in terms of improving population health for all residents. There is good work being done in various communities. It would be nice to see all of those things tied together as a reflection of our county-wide focus on improving health and well-being. I am amazed how many people from different walks of life have taken on this work as vital. All the different sectors are participating. It’s wonderful.
by Michelle | Apr 25, 2019 | Recipes
Recipe & Photo Source: FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 6
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 35 minutes
Ingredients:
3 pounds fresh asparagus spears
1 teaspoon oil
dash of salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wash asparagus spears and trim off tough ends. Leave whole or cut into shorter lengths
- In a large bowl, toss spears with the oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place spears in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Lining the baking sheet with foil or baking parchment will help with clean-up.
- Roast for 12 to 15 minutes or until the asparagus pieces are lightly browned. Thick spears will take a longer baking time.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Michelle | Apr 18, 2019 | Recipes
Banana Pancakes
Recipe and photo from www.FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 8
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 35 min
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1⁄2 cups nonfat or 1% milk
1 Tablespoon sugar
3 Tablespoons oil
2 bananas, mashed
3⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Directions
- Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add milk, sugar, oil and bananas and mix well. Add flours and baking powder. Mix gently.
- Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).
- Spoon 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until tops are bubbly and pancakes are dry around the edges. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
- Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.
