Health Care Access Now

01/14/2026

🎓 We’re thrilled to celebrate the graduation of five new Community Health Workers through HCAN’s CHW Certification Program! Congratulations to Antonia Barrow, Essence Craig, Bobbi DePriest, Dyshidia Stegall, and Lonnie Stith on this remarkable achievement.

“This program means more to me than just a certification. It represents resilience, growth, and a commitment to serving others from a place of lived experience and compassion.” 💙

These graduates reflect the power of investing in people and community-based care. We’re excited to announce that one graduate has been hired at Mercy Health; another will be placed at HCRP (a CHW practicum site), and a third is already making an impact at the YMCA of Central Ohio in Columbus. Additionally, we are proud to share that Lonnie Stith is a CHW at our new partner agency, IV-CHARIS.

We’re also delighted to welcome IV-CHARIS as HCAN’s newest Hub partner agency and are grateful for our partner, Chef Pamela Tramble-Johnson, Extension Educators Coordinator 2 from The Ohio State University Extension Office, for her support in promoting whole-person health through nutrition education.

01/01/2026

Wishing our HCAN community a wonderful new year! May the year ahead bring health, hope, and continued strength for our neighbors and families. 💫⁠
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12/30/2025

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission is serving as a warming center during regular operating hours at CRC recreation centers across the city, giving people a warm place to come in out of the cold. These centers are open to everyone — no membership needed — so please spread the word!

🤝 If you or someone you know needs a warm, safe space during the winter chill, find your nearest CRC rec center and stop in during business hours. Let’s look out for one another this season. ❤️

CRC Centers have been activated as Warming Shelters during normal operating hours.
Come in out of the elements, warm-up, stay-safe, membership not required.
For a list of centers and hours: CincyRec.org

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from HCAN! 🎁❄️⁠
We hope your season is filled with joy, connection, and safe celebrations. Take care and enjoy every moment!⁠
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12/16/2025

The 513 Relief Bus Winter Resource Guide is here to help our neighbors stay safe and supported this winter. From warming centers to food assistance and essential services, this guide connects people to critical resources when they’re needed most. 💙

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, your support helps us bridge the gap in Care Coordination services. While most — but not all — costs are covered by insurance, community support ensures every participant gets the help they deserve.

Your gift empowers our Community Health Workers to connect families to vital health education and resources, including smoking cessation, childcare support, immunization screenings, and more.

Together, we can make healthier communities possible. 💙
Click here to donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6G5A9QNCQURNG

11/14/2025

Health Care Access Now (HCAN) has been making a powerful impact since becoming a certified Pathways Community Hub in 2016. In partnership with the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD), we’ve focused on improving birth outcomes—especially for Black mothers and babies.⁠
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Led by Dameta Wright, Director of the Pathways Hub, and Associate Director Bettie Johnson, HCAN joined the Data for Equity Learning Cohort, funded by Interact for Health, to show how Community Health Workers (CHWs) make a difference.⁠
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Recent research presented at the APHA conference by Bettie Johnson and CHD epidemiologist Andrew Sowell revealed striking results: mothers supported by a Hub CHW have 72% lower odds of infant death, 55% lower odds of preterm birth, and 75% lower odds of extreme preterm birth compared to the rest of Hamilton County.⁠
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These findings highlight the life-changing impact of CHWs and the power of collaboration to advance maternal and infant health.⁠

11/06/2025

It's that time of year again! Be sure you are bundled up for the cold weather this year and check out St. Vincent de Paul - Cincinnati Coat Distribution this coming Saturday!

Winter weather is on its way to Cincinnati, and we’re here to help keep our neighbors warm! ❄️

If you need a winter coat, join us at our first distribution event this Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave.

This event is open to all Hamilton County residents in need. Please bring ID for each person receiving a coat. More details at svdpcincinnati.org/coats.

10/31/2025

💙 CHW Regional Summit 2025 💙
A day dedicated to connection, growth, and celebrating the incredible work of our Community Health Workers!

We were honored to hear an inspiring Call to Action from Angela Dawson, Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, and to receive a heartfelt Blessing of the Hands from Lori McKinley, Director of Spiritual Care at Mercy Health.

The day ended on a high note—literally—with everyone dancing to “Boots on the Ground!” 👢🎶

10/29/2025

📣 Cincinnati residents using SNAP:
Because of the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits could be delayed or reduced starting November 1 — affecting thousands of local families.

If you need food assistance, help is available.
🍎 Local partners like Freestore Foodbank and St. Vincent de Paul are preparing to meet community needs.

Food panties in the Greater Cincinnati area said they are already serving many people and are ready to help more, if the government shutdown persists and funding for SNAP benefits were to expire.

10/10/2025

🎉 This past weekend, HCAN was proud to join our Hub partner, the Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC), for their Community Baby Shower!

The event celebrated and supported pregnant Black women in Butler County—providing essential resources, education, and encouragement for new and expecting moms. 💕

HCAN staff Denise and Ella were on-site with a table, connecting with families and sharing information about the services we offer. We also donated giveaway items to help welcome little ones into the world!

Thank you to our partners at BCESC, including Supervisor Brittany and Community Health Workers Domonique, Gina, and Melissa, for your continued dedication to improving maternal and child health.

10/07/2025

🌟 HCAN is hosting the CHW Regional Summit! 🌟

Join us for Bridging the Gap: Evolving the CHW Profession — a day dedicated to connection, growth, and celebrating the incredible work of Community Health Workers.

🗓 Wednesday, October 22, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Receptions Fairfield (5975 Boymel Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014)

Enjoy on-site massage therapists, great food, networking, raffles, and professional development opportunities. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win exclusive CHW Summit gear!

🎤 Closing remarks by Angela Dawson, Executive Director, Ohio Commission of Minority Health.

👉 Register today: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Hg8JRlRRqU6ny_GeJlI6YIplF1GGtA5Eil057BTxaz5UREJJM1ZCTEkxUVBNSEJLSTFSQUk1OEhZOS4u&route=shorturl