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North Sound ACH

North Sound Accountable Community of Health

North Sound ACH staff

ACH Goes To The Legislature

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On March 6, Cynthia Andrews and Marco Morales traveled to Olympia for the Washington State Public Health Association Legislative Day to meet with our representatives and senators across the North Sound region, and share with them some of the exciting collaborative work that is happening across their legislative districts with North Sound ACH and our partners.

Rep. Julio Cortez of District 38 with Innovation Initiatives Manager Cynthia Andrews and Community Engagement and Advocacy Program Manager Marco Morales.

“I was reminded that the work of democracy and civic engagement is work that takes active participation, and that our advocacy in things we care about have real implications for the policy decisions that our elected officials make that ultimately impacts us all. We saw people from all walks of life in the Legislative Building, of all ages and lots of children. There must have been a children’s advocacy group in the Legislative Building that day because there were so many kids around. This was really heartwarming to witness as it was a reminder that participation in our democracy takes many forms. Voting, marching, and advocating at a human level with those who the adults get to vote for when the children are not yet able to. I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to make the drive down to Olympia to make it, and share what is important to you with the people that represent us all.” – Marco

“It was a productive visit to the Washington State Legislature, despite the busy atmosphere on the floor. Mario Morales and I were amongst thousands of people visiting Olympia that day. Many were touring, lobbying and some were looking for answers and comfort. Representatives April Berg and Julio Cortez, along with Senator John Lovick, graciously carved out time from their demanding schedules to meet with us. Their willingness to engage, even amidst the legislative flurry, demonstrated their commitment to constituent interaction and their dedication to addressing the concerns of those they represent.

Rep. Julio Cortez of District 38 with Innovation Initiatives Manager Cynthia Andrews and Community Engagement and Advocacy Program Manager Marco Morales.

“We sat in the Senate gallery watching the vote on education bills and were somewhat amazed when they stopped the session to stand and honor elementary school students and their accomplishments. We will most likely return before the session ends on April 27. In the meantime we’re keeping in contact and following the progress of bills that affect our region.” – Cynthia

CEO Search Launches

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The Seventh Generation Principle is shared by many Native American nations and tribes, which emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead and making decisions that will benefit future generations. North Sound ACH has benefited greatly from learning from the eight tribes in the North Sound, upon whose land we sit and work.

With that in mind, Liz has let us know that it’s time to begin the search for the next CEO for North Sound ACH. There will be opportunities for partner engagement as we launch the search, please see below to learn more about the recruitment and search committee processes. You can view the job description here on our website, and hope that you will share it within your networks. We are working with Diversity Recruiters to manage the search, a firm we worked with in a prior successful search. We anticipate the search process taking approximately six months.

I want to thank Liz for the thoughtful way she is approaching this pivotal transition, and for her extraordinary tenure from the early days with two staff, to where we are today: post pandemic and growing with a new Medicaid waiver. Liz continues to advocate for a stronger network of regional partners, working together to innovate in their work today, in ways that result in a transformed region for the next generation and beyond.

– Cheryl Rasar
Board Chair

“It is such an honor to shepherd the work of North Sound ACH and its partners, leveraging resources to strengthen the work across the region. Over the next six months, I’m looking forward to helping the board identify an incredible leader ready to carry this work and grow opportunities to make this a region where all feel they belong.”

– Liz Baxter

There are a few ways that you can participate in the search for the North Sound ACH CEO.

  • Read updates in newsletters and emails, and share the job posting within your personal and professional networks. Investment of time = 3 hours
  • Respond to online surveys regarding interview process design options and creation of sample interview questions. Investment of time = 3 hours
  • Participate on an interview panel. This will require consistent commitment to prep sessions, debrief sessions, and the interview sessions, which will be virtual and in-person. Investment of time = 8-10 hours
  • Participate on the formal search committee. This will require commitment to attend roughly 10 meetings (primarily virtual) over the course of late November – early April. The tasks that the committee will engage in are as follows: design interview process, review top six candidate profiles and select who will be invited to interview, participate in 1-3 round of interviews. Investment of time = minimum of 20 hours, not to exceed 40 hours over four months. 

If you would like to learn more about these opportunities or want to be considered for the search committee or interview panel, please send an email to Nicole Leckband at Diversity Recruiters (nicole@diversityrecruiters.com). The deadline for consideration is Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

From left, Board Chair Cheryl Rasar, CEO Liz Baxter, CEqO Hallie Pritchett, COO Nicole Willis, and CTO Arlesia Bailey.

You’re Not Alone: A Message of Support and Hope

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Guest Post written by Kevin Riley, of Mount Baker Presbyterian Church

Trigger warning – This post will be vulnerable and long, so I have broken it up so it’s easier to read through. 

May 2, 2024

Tonight like most nights I opened my Facebook app to just kinda see what everyone was up to. The first post that popped up was one of our local community pages. 

I instantly read that there was a female in a mental health crisis and law enforcement was requesting help from every agency possible – helicopters, boats, firefighters, and more. 

The individual in crisis was on the Deception Pass Bridge. A place of extreme beauty and wonder and, on the other hand, a morbid darkness as well. Many people have taken their lives jumping from that bridge. I’ve even, when I was younger, stood there and thought about it a time or two. 

The person in crisis did jump. Her lifeless body was picked up by a boater who happened to be there and rushed to land, where they tried CPR and other life-saving measures. Unfortunately, she did not survive the fall. 

When I hear of someone who has taken their own life it sends a visceral feeling through my body, followed by a wave of emotion and gut wrenching empathy for the person that succumbed to the moment of desperation, finally losing the fight they fought for so long. 

Some of these fights are public; some are private and unexpected – think Robin Williams. 

I myself am a suicide survivor and I know that darkness all too well. The embarrassment and emotional toll, along with the stigma of having a mental health diagnosis is imprisoning and debilitating at times. 

And no matter how hard and far you run from it, it is inescapable. And, without proper treatment and support, can be life ending as we see at the beginning of this post. When you step into the darkness and find yourself in that place it never truly goes away. 

From about the age of 13 to 35 I tried to control my mental health through the use of illicit substances, and after nearly 10 years of not addressing my mental health in sobriety and having my CPTSD and complex trauma, triggered in debilitating ways that led to daily panic attacks, I finally trusted the people around me that were speaking life into me and sought after some providers that could help me with my issues. 

For the first time since my suicide attempt in 2009, I am currently working with prescribing providers and a trauma therapist in pursuing the healing that I have been afraid of for so long. 

Will this work fix everything? No, I don’t believe that it will. But I do truly believe that if I trust those who love me and lean into what the providers are doing to try to help me, life can be enjoyable. 

So I put this all out there, in a forward step of vulnerability. Along with the admission that sometimes I struggle, but now I know that I do not have to struggle in silence alone. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And mental health-related concerns are a whole lot more common than you would think. I am here to say that if you are somebody who struggles, you do not have to do it alone. 

May 2 is also the National Day of Prayer, and my prayer today is for those who struggle with mental health, that they could overcome the stigma that is in the world and open their hearts to reaching out for help, and invite people in to help them in the healing process.

If I can find hope, health, and healing you can also.

Call me – I’d love to do life with you –

Kevin Riley

Apple Health extended coverage to end

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During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Health Care Authority (HCA) extended coverage for all Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. This extension is now ending due to the Consolidated Appropriation Act (CAA) of 2023, and clients’ extended coverage will be affected. The HCA estimates 300,000 clients around the state may no longer qualify for Apple Health, but may be eligible for other insurance coverage.

HCA is resuming normal eligibility beginning April 1, 2023. Clients will receive a renewal notice prior to the end of their renewal period sometime over the next 12 months, based on a client’s renewal date.

Anticipated timeline for the end of the extended coverage:

  • Now – April 2023: clients can report a change (status, income, address, etc.)
  • April 2023 – April 2024: the HCA processes redeterminations
  • June 2023 – May 2024: some individuals and families will transition to other medical coverage.

If you receive Apple Health (Medicaid):

  • Make sure your contact information is up-to-date at www.wahealthplanfinder.org
  • Watch for renewal notices and take timely action to keep your coverage

Find a free Navigator at these locations:

  • Sea Mar Community Health Center https://www.seamar.org/open-enrollment.html
    • Skagit: Concrete Clinic and Mount Vernon Clinic
    • Snohomish: Everett, Marysville, and Monroe clinics
    • Whatcom: Bellingham and Everson Clinic
  • Skagit Valley Hospital and Cascade Valley Hospital
  • Unity Care NW
    • Bellingham and Ferndale clinics (360) 788-2669
  • Community Health Center of Snohomish County
  • Providence Health and Services (425) 261-4009
  • Resource Corporation of America (425) 263-8750

If you are a healthcare or community-based organization:

The HCA is seeking community organizations and influencers to act as volunteer Apple Health ambassadors. Ambassadors will work to ensure that Apple Health clients have the information and resources needed to maintain coverage at the end of the continuous coverage requirement period.

How can you spread the word? You can share information at work with coworkers and clients, at your next church service, community event, or school event. You can use their social media toolkit (https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/free-or-low-cost/end-of-phe-social-media-toolkit.pdf) with approved posts you can share on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. North Sound ACH is also developing a social media tool kit that you are welcome to use.

  • March 27

The HCA is hosting monthly webinars for Ambassador updates – find dates and registration at https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/apple-health-medicaid/apple-health-ambassador-program

Find more information at these links:

Monkeypox (MPV) public health response, stigma resources

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As of September 1, 2022, there are 450 total cases of monkeypox virus (MPV) in Washington state. In our region, Snohomish has 15, Whatcom has 1, and Island has 1.

North Sound ACH staff Heather McGuinness (Public Health Liaison) and Michaela Vendiola (Tribal & Community Liaison) have compiled a list of Tribal, state, county and other public health resources, as well as anti-stigma literature.

You can also call 1-833-829-HELP for answers about MPV risk factors, vaccine information, testing and treatment, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. In addition to calling 1-833-829-HELP, callers can continue to dial 1-800-525-0127 and press # to be transferred to a Washington 211 specialist. Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Call takers will not be able to schedule vaccine appointments.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself against MPV is to know the risks and take precautions. Despite misinformation, anyone who has close contact with a person with an infectious rash can get MPV; it is not exclusive to any community. MPV can also spread through touching objects, fabrics and surfaces that have been used by someone with MPV, and contact with respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact. If you have an unexplained rash, cover it, avoid skin-to-skin contact with others, and see a health care provider. They will determine what testing and treatment may be available.

View our North Sound MPV resource spreadsheet, and send us your suggestions to include in this spreadsheet by emailing Team@NorthSoundACH.org.

We’re hiring!

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North Sound ACH is currently seeking a Funding Development Coordinator: a grant writer and researcher, and someone who excels at relationship building for leveraging local funds and collaborative action.

This position is full-time and remote, with preference for those located in the North Sound.

Read more about the position, and download the application materials, at our employment page.