Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

Meet Our Staff: Vanessa Garibay

Today we'd like to introduce you to one of our fabulous front desk receptionists, Vanessa!

 

Name: VANESSA GARIBAY

What do you do at CCC? 

I am a receptionist at CCC. I am responsible for making clients smile and helping with all their needs!

How long have you been at CCC?

I've been at CCC for 9 months and I love it.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Las Vegas, I know it's unheard of!

What is your favorite vacation spot?

My favorite vacation spot is New York City because they have the best little restaurants and you can find them literally everywhere!

What is your favorite food? 

I can't just pick one, I love all food!!!! I will never neglect it!!!!

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

I admire Alexander the Great. He was a great leader. I will never forget the story about him where one of his soldiers tried to give him his last sip of water they had, and instead of drinking it, he threw it in the sand.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy being outdoors (except when it is over 100 degrees outside!)

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

My favorite place in Las Vegas is Craig Ranch Regional Park

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

I would choose a monkey because they are so cute and smart!!!!

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

I would choose to be a Paramedic or a Registered Nurse 

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

My favorite thing about working here is noticing the differences all the staff makes for everyone who comes here, and the laughs on the way

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

"It's hard to fail, but worse to have never tried to succeed." - Theodore Roosevelt

Ryan White: What You Need to Know

Next Tuesday, August 18th, marks a momentous milestone in the world of HIV--the 25th anniversary of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The Ryan White CARE Act has undergone five legislative reauthorizations (1996, 2000, 2006, 2009, and 2013) and is now known as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RW Program). 

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RW Program)

The Ryan White CARE Act was passed by Congress in 1990 in response to the growing number of new HIV diagnoses, more people progressing to AIDS, and a vast majority of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were uninsured or not adequately insured facing insurmountable medical costs. 

The RW Program by its 'Parts'

Part A funds may be used to provide continuum of care (medical and psychosocial support services) for people living with HIV. Core medical and support services are limited to:

• Outpatient and ambulatory medical care
• AIDS drug assistance program
• AIDS pharmaceutical assistance
• Oral health
• Early intervention services
• Health insurance premium and cost-sharing assistance for low-income individuals
• Medical nutrition therapy
• Hospice Services
• Home and community-based health services
• Mental health services
• Substance abuse outpatient care
• Home health care
• Medical case management, including treatment adherence services

To discover agencies in Las Vegas offering services funded by RW Part A

Part B funds core medical services and support services. Support services that are needed for people with HIV/AIDS to achieve their medical outcomes include respite care for caregivers of people with HIV/AIDS, outreach services, medical transportation, linguistic services, and referrals for health care and support services.

Core medical services include:

• Outpatient and ambulatory health services
• ADAP
• AIDS pharmaceutical assistance
• Early intervention services
• Health insurance premium and cost-sharing health services
• Mental Health
• Outpatient substance abuse care
• Medical Case Management
• HIV Treatment adherence services

To learn more about RW Part B and the above services in Las Vegas

Part C funds cover the following:

• Primary care providers
• Lab, x-ray, and other diagnostic tests
• Medical and dental equipment and supplies
• Patient education in conjunction with medical care
• Transportation for clinical care providers to provide care 
• Other HIV/AIDS-related clinical and diagnostic services and periodic medical evaluations of people with HIV/AIDS
• HIV post-test counseling

Sadly, I speak with many people living with HIV or not that have no recollection of who Ryan White is or is simply known as that kid with AIDS from the 80s. In 1984, at the age of 13, Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS. At the time, Ryan was living with his mother, Jeanne, in a small blue-collar Indiana town, Kokomo, where they were instantly met with fear, prejudice, discrimination, and hate. He experienced instant stigma due to little to no HIV/AIDS-specific education. Ryan was barred from school in Kokomo and local parents only perpetuated the stigma by keeping their kids out of school until he was removed. Finally, the energy in their town became so toxic that the family moved to a more accepting town.

Ryan was diagnosed in that first wave of AIDS and died, at the age of 18, in 1990, just months before Congress passed the Ryan White CARE Act. Ryan White became a voice for AIDS but should be remembered as a young man who was more than a voice for AIDS and as the son of his mother Jeanne, who is an amazing HIV activist in her own right! Read about Ryan in her own words here. 

On a personal note, I remember Ryan White and the intense fear of the time. In 1984, I was 10 years old and had recently moved from California to Wabash, Indiana, which is a small town less than an hour from Kokomo and Ryan White. The stigma and ignorance was so rampant that my classmates and I were introduced to AIDS because the fear of the disease spreading to surrounding schools was real. Ryan was my introduction to the world of AIDS, the power of stigma, and the need for education. To learn more about Ryan, visit http://www.ryanwhite.com.

Bryan Heitz

Risk Reduction Specialist

Wednesday Wisdom

Meet Our Staff: Patrick Bozarth

Today, we'd like to introduce you to one of CCC's incredible leaders, Assistant Executive Director, Patrick Bozarth!

Name: PATRICK BOZARTH

What do you do at CCC? 

I am the Assistant Executive Director and a counselor

How long have you been at CCC?

I have been at CCC for 3 years.

Where are you from originally?

San Diego, California

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Laos

What is your favorite food? 

Italian and Sushi

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

My mother, because she is a hard worker, loving, strong, smart, supportive, and she provided so much for me and my sisters.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Being outdoors, hiking, gardening, being with my husband

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

My home and Red Rock

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

A chimpanzee who roller skates and wears clothes. Because who wouldn't want that?

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

A landscape architect, because I love gardening and plants. 

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

The people - staff, clients, and community partners!

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Did You Know? - Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-Occurring Disorders (the presence of both a substance abuse condition and a mental health condition at the same time) affect approximately 8.9 million individuals in the United States (around 3% of the population), and sadly, only around 7.4% of those individuals receive treatment for both conditions, while over 55% receive no treatment at all.

Fortunately, there is good news: the stigma toward co-occurring disorders (and mental health conditions, in general) is lessening and education is increasing.

This article presents the account of a woman who has suffered from co-occurring disorders (COD), and her thoughts about her experiences and the overall climate/attitudes toward COD in our country.

Community Counseling Center offers services for individuals with co-occurring disorders, and we are here for you. If you, or someone you know, is in need of help, please reach out to us Monday-Friday, 8am - 8pm by calling (702)369-8700 and one of our caring staff members will assist you in beginning or continuing your road to recovery.

-ASM

Wednesday Wisdom

Meet Our Staff: Cynthia Watson

Today's edition of "Meet Our Staff" introduces you to our awesome Community Health Program Coordinator and Ryan White Part A Case Manager, Cynthia Watson!

Name: CYNTHIA WATSON

What do you do at CCC? 

I am the Program Coordinator for Community Health/Medical Case Manager/Ryan White Part A Eligibility

How long have you been at CCC?

I have been at CCC for 15 months.

Where are you from originally?

Wynnewood, Oklahoma

What is your favorite vacation spot?

With family, anywhere.

What is your favorite food? 

Mediterranean

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

My mother

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, sewing, cooking, watching movies

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

Red Rock

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

I have cats and dogs for companionship

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

This is my third career, so this is my choice. 

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

Camaraderie

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

Turn it over to a higher power!