Response From the Director of Montgomery County HHS to..... Why I Cry

[MsJo...@aol.com]

 

Dear People in the Community:

 

 

It is cheery Saturday. Good morning, afternoon  or evening and to Mayor Ukpabi, old time resident of MoCo, happy belated 80th birthday.

 

Honesty of purpose  and clarity in quest for better health of the community behooves me to share this information  with you. It is a response from the Montgomery County Director of Health and Human Services.  Since Mrs. Uma Ahulawalia is not linked to wide ranging Continental African social networks, please read her presentations after my mail.  She copied it to other officials. You may forward it to your groups.

 

 Let us not loose sight of the cardinal goal: How best can we make the community healthy?It is a principled question not carved in a blame frame.

 

As with any new and emerging community with a growing population,  there  may be a variance between what it is now and what ought to be, taking into considerations that new dynamics are yet to be factored in the decision-making process. 

 

 When the  African American health program was initiated by concerned residents, the Continental African community was unheard of; it did not exist as a distinctive population. Today it does. The predominantly F1 student population in the 1980s has evolved into a multifaceted, transnational population with qualifying dynamics.  Further, the African Union governments are taking formal measures to engage the indigenous Africa Diaspora. Please, go to www.caslight.org, download the African Heritage Month programming and see page 34. Even the World Bank seconds the attributes of Continental Africans. The Continental African daily or regular activities hardly intersect with the African American focus. You can see from discussions taking place in social networks.  

 

Articulating  realities is not inherently adversarial, neither does it call for emotionalism or schism in gulf-making. People should use  both quantitative and qualitative data to guide their informed positions. Therefore, the process objective is to shed light on the points in order to enhance decision making. So please, Dr. Kofi of Africa and the rest, this is not a pan-African jihad. LOL. Don't start writing about Arab vs other slave trade or Obama's papa and mama. No Kikiyu versus Luo, too.

 

Let us use this point.  Hispanics were once classified as Whites. They did not get any browner. Rather, their realities only became clearer and acknowledged. Indeed,  when we approached the Duncan administration in October 2004 to introduce the concept of equity for, and inclusion of, the new community in his watch in Montgomery County, the staffers greeted us with a dash of curiosity to learn more.

 

The fact  that  public officers are engaging and open testifies to the desired process - government is not out to deliberately undermine.  

 

To wit, policy makers may also want to know what can be done and how best to do it. And to the community, the purpose of a conscientious advocacy is to improve outcomes; not to spin and weave what cannot stand up to scrutiny. If we are serious,  integrity is not only a byword but a bylaw. At the end of the day, that is the only tool you may have, which you cannot afford loose and money cannot buy it. We must only tell public officials that which we know, to the best of our knowledge, to be true and substantiated.

 

Proceed, the HHS Director speaks from what she has and nobody can fault her for presenting them.  We should appreciate her time and applaud her inclinations to engage the community.

 

Permit me to make a correction: Dr. Idowu expressly told us, the organizers of the Affordable Care Act with the US Office of Minority Health and  Dr. Nadine Garcia, that she was not  participating on behalf of the African American Health program.  She indicated she was coming as an individual.  Therefore, I assume there was a mistake in her communicating this to the Director of HHS. There was no African American Health Program representation.

 

When some looked at the figures, they pale when compared with the woes and wails that are shouldered by unfunded mutual aid associations in the Continental African community.  But the HHS has no way of knowing. The onus to enlighten lies with you, the community members and leaders, to attend forums with documented presentations.

 

From those without limbs and are faced with the decision to go back to Africa to die (Sessekou Ebini, you may speak). The HHS may not know that babies with asthma and sickle cell disease had nowhere to go in a bitter winter.  Their 30-day limit in the county's program expired. After putting some in hotels, I had to beg Samaritans  like Mishe Fon and wife, Tony Njombua, etc, to take a family of three as I struggled to place 12 other families. The late Viola Kwamkwalala and myself ended up in Arlington Virginia, gingerly navigating snow to find willing host families.

 

 O yes, I called HHS.  I talked to Jewru Bandeh, Joe Eyong and Continental Africans nearest to government.  I wrote about it. One day as we walked through a neighborhood looking for a contact, all self-respecting dogs started barking from their porches. Viola and myself ran away, to the mild amusement of some construction workers  who may have wondered why our host became belligerent to send us sprinting to the car in that fashion. We did not find the potential host. On that day, Dr. Ola Kassim from Canada, Mrs. Carolyn Kennedy and Dr. Kofi,  and Alex Mbianda from Boston helped out.

 

Finally, it boiled down to telling uncomprehending storage people not to throw out baby clothing or not to auction the stuff - due to past due rents. Ah, people, na wah o.

 

 The HHS may not know that children may not be going to school, moving from one place to the other  in violation of the McKinney-Veto Act. A lady who attended Bishop Caroline Vando's church died of cancer leaving two young children but you could not persuade her to go anywhere but to AWCAA.   Groups try with no funding and only the power faith and some humor when  you hit a dead-end of hope.  Community, you must begin to compile the data.  It is not enough to complain. Until you do, there is no way it can be known. The hard-to-reach population may need extra and innovative approach.

 

Some have begged to  respectfully disagree with certain points especially on staffing in the African American program  because any ethnic group can be employed anywhere:  Two examples: 1) Even if a Hispanic program  decides to have 75%  of African American folks  constituting its staff, the county cannot use that fact to decide against funding an African American program if the African Americans have a comprehensive heath plan and program. Competitive advantage and efficiency  should be factored. 2) White (men) business can hire colored people to serve colored people with a colored manager but that cannot be called a minority-owned business by the Economic Department. 

 

The idea of  hiring workers on the notion that they automatically have access to even their village groups is a fallacy that the HHS needs to address. Some are not even known in their village meetings. 

 

Not to forget, we have Whites who are native Africans and there are blacks of African descent who are Latinos, which suggest that it is impractical to engineer  a policy of enforced assimilation in order to make decisions on  quality of health and  life .  These  positions were validated when we successfully presented findings that led to the DC Mayor's Office on African Affairs: www.oaa.dc.gov

 

Anyone remember that? It culminated in an all day committee hearing.  The Bill went to the DC Council and in the two readings, every single member present and voting  voted Yes. I remember about six of us went from one council member's office to the next to present crucial findings after the committee hearing.  The Continental African population in Montgomery County, its increasing resident and voting base, and the attendant issues are greater than those in Washington, DC and official numbers are conservative estimates. 

 

I coordinated the research and documentation of the Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report on the Leggett Policy Objectives when all communities did in  2007. Over 700 experts and community members  participated in both community-based participatory research and surveys in a six-month period. Some  of the  surveys were conducted by the African People Action Committee - Chucks Eleonu. The recurring finding that  psychosocial orientations influence health is validated by clinicians. 

 

We hope Montgomery County would use evidence-based decisions to change its old policies in light of new and emerging populations. The reality is, it is like looking for a pin in a haystack or pulling teeth to compel African groups to advocate under African American banners on these basic necessities of life that are unrelated to skin colors. That is not happening.   But again, the duty is on you, the community,  to  conduct the research and present the evidence.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we should appreciate the fact that  Mrs. Uma Ahulawalia  took the time to explain what exists now and why the de-funding of AWCAA happened.   The information can be constructively used as a basis for discussions.

 

When we look at the County Council and County Executive discretionary grants, it is not exactly clear why Continental African programs are not funded. Do our service providers answer the questions in Swahili, Yoruba, Twi, Lingala, etc or we have no grant writing experts to help? I regularly check what the Arts and Humanity Council, which is under HHS, funds and wonder why Continental Africans should celebrate with Creative Moco.

 

 It is news that Ify is working with the African American program.  This information, if uncontested again, helps.  People are speaking, some even advance the position that the Hispanic behavioral and daily  experiences, complete with immigrant anxieties to depressions,  are  more aligned with  Continental Africans.'  

 

Whatever position, the explanation of  the Director of the HHS is instructive.

 

In closing, unless there is a Continental African common front with a blue print on community health (that is not the job of the HHS to do), I do not think we can express any moral indignation. The accessibility of Montgomery County government is a healthy sign. Does that mean I am reversing myself on why I cry (metaphor)? Yes, on the point of  government marginalization because we are yet to demonstrate a competent and more effective health program. 

 

It is not enough to have isolated organizations dealing with just one aspect of health. The whole should be a continuum of service because there are co-factors with ripple effects. For examples, those diagnosed with cancer need complementary counseling; those living with aids need proper nutrition, etc and housing;  elderly patients who have no idea may need hand-holding navigators like Theresia Ofong who goes to the homes, etc; depressed people are not going to tell case workers that they were once professors or cabinet ministers in Africa and now taxi drivers in America, which induces asocial effects; parents do not readily accept the juvenile delinquencies that are sending youths to jails. So community, wake up!

 

  We cannot only wait for government.  Match Hope with Action.

 

God bless you all. Have a productive weekend. Happy PanaFest. 

 

MsJoe

 

 

 

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In a message dated 9/20/2013 5:22:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, :

Dear All:

Evelyn continues to be a strong and amazing advocate for the African Community. I did want to share some data with you that I believe is quite relevant to this conversation from our perch at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. I hope this enriches the discussion you are all engaged in.

 

The Mission of the African American Health Program is to be committed to eliminating health disparities and improving the number and quality of years of life for African Americans and people of African descent in Montgomery County, Maryland.

 

-       50% of staff within the African American Health Program are from Continental African countries namely, from Nigeria, Tanzania and Sierra Leone

-       57% of the Health Promoters within the African American Health Program are continental African, from East and West Africa, and fluent in several languages including French and Amharic

-       In the past 6 months, the African American Health Program has served the following:

o   SMILE- Infant Mortality Program has served 51% Continental African women, 5% Caribbean Women

o   HIV testing- 40% of those tested through our HIV program activities are Continental African , 5% Caribbean women

o   Diabetes- AAHP facilitates an African Healthy Living Dining Club for Diabetes prevention and Control. This club is facilitated by a Continental African dietitian with the assistance of an Continental African Health Educator to assist the community in eating healthy while enjoying foods that are indigenous to the African culture.

o   Our “Project Santé’ Pour Tous”, provides Health Education, screenings and referrals monthly to French speaking Continental Africans and Caribbean residents at CASA de Maryland

o   AAHP provides health education to over 5,000 individuals in the community, 40%  of those that receive the education are Continental African and Caribbean, topics include

§  Cancer gender specific- Breast and Prostate

§  Cancer general

§  Diabetes

§  HIV/AIDS

§  Hepatitis B

§  Stroke and Heart Disease

 

-       AAHP attends the monthly meetings with the African Advisory Committee

-       The AAHP Program Manager and Project Director continue to meet with members of the African Advisory Committee and community members to implement a Hepatitis B awareness, education and immunization project similar to the SMASH B project within the Asian American Health Initiative

-       AAHP supports many of the initiatives in the African and Caribbean Community, including attending and contributing to the Proclamation Events for the County’s Caribbean Heritage month and African Heritage month, including the County Council’s own Proclamation honoring African Heritage Month.

-       AAHP has attended the Maryland Governor’s Commission on African Affairs Meet and Greet, the Continental African Community Leadership Exchange Meeting with County Executive Ike Leggett as well as the African Affairs meeting on the Affordable Care Act with Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health

-       AAHP presented information and resources regarding the Affordable Care Act to the Pan African Health forum

 

In response to the question on the African American Women’s Cancer Awareness Program (AWCAA), I wanted to write and update you on the sequence of events and the explanation. The AWCAA at one point did receive funding through the African American Health Program via its mini grants program.  The AAHP mini grants program was eliminated after FY10 due to budget cuts.  However, after funding was no longer available, the AAHP health promoter coordinator worked with Ify Anne Nwabukwu, leader of the AWCAA group, to train her navigators/health promoters on various health topics so that they can continue to work with the community.  Heather Ross is working with Ify now to seek additional funding.  For example, there is currently a grant opportunity from Safeway that is being pursued.  Ify and her group are also part of a current joint effort between AAHP and AAHI to develop a Hepatitis B education and vaccination program for the African immigrant community. 

 

We continue to remain very committed to serving the emerging populations in our Community with your support and collaboration.  As our Leadership Institute for Equity and Elimination of Disparities develops we are putting specific emphasis to serve all minority populations including the Continental African Community in an equitable and meaningful way.  We continue to welcome your engagement with us and the feedback you provide us.

 

Best regards,

Uma

 

 

Uma Ahluwalia

Director,

Montgomery County DHHS

 

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From: MsJo...@aol.com [mailto:MsJo...@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 10:30 AM
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Subject: From Ms. Joe to the Community: Why I Cry, The Community is Marginalized.

 

Montgomery County, Maryland and Elsewhere

Africans:

 

The response to the public official (after my mail) is what can be said for the other jurisdictions. I would rather say it as it is:  The Continental African population is growing with an expanding voter and tax payer base but without equitable, public resources that other New American populations have. It is unfair. The cities and counties  can tell  how many businesses were created, received resources; how many are in public sector employment in these populations and their health programs are funded. Nobody knows the data for the African community. Civil rights gained cannot  be selectively denied and disguised. It is not the job of a  government agency to operate skin color subjugation in order to justify why competent African service providers are being marginalized and their collective intelligence insulted. It is unfair.

 

I do not ask for a personal favor, a position or  contract from politicians, neither will I compromise my  independence by doing so or entertain a conflict of interest.  I use my own money for community organizing, to advocate and  conduct research and I do not get paid. I don't want to be paid. It is about  community first.  After working to establish to establish the DC Mayor's Office in African Affairs in 2005/06, in  2007/8 a cross-section of us put together a comprehensive Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report, and one of the Recommendations resulted in the creation of the African Advisory Group in Montgomery County and Liaison Office. So where is the change and  how is the change measured? It is a fair question.

 

The only indigenous cancer program serving African women, the African Women Cancer Awareness Association, was de-funded.Yet our grandmas  who use indigenous services are dying.  But the government funds groups that are hardly known in the community to address African issues when willing and able African groups are more effective and efficient.Why would competent African groups be de-funded or not funded but the government gives monies to other groups to help Africans? Does this make any sense? What  does the 74 year old grandma diagnosed with cancer do? Assimilate to fit into the agency's scope of  skin  color thinking? How many people in the community, including more vulnerable grandpas and grandpas, have heard of the program that the official is taking about?

 

I have deleted the official's address and name because the purpose is not to create unnecessary discord but to shed light on a germane, public health issue.  The health groups got the mail and they need to meet with the Council member. Prince George's and elsewhere are no better. I have to make it known to the politicians what I believe in and what people in the community think. My purpose is not to 'be nice, liked to be accepted, appointed or invited" when my  community is not treated fairly. I am not interested in all that, never shall. We just want to know  how and why the HHS and other agencies make policies and how the African community gets its fair share. It also has to do with the conscience or expedience of  government. Fair is fair.

 

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day.

MsJoe

 

 

=============================================================================

 From: MsJo...@aol.com
To: Councilmember
CC: St...@montgomerycountymd.gov
Sent: 9/14/2013 11:26:12 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: Demand answers from the Mrs. Uhluwalia and HHA/ Uncooperative group

 

Hello Councilman:

 

While it is the responsibility of the African community groups to collaborate  in order to effectively serve constituents, the fact that Montgomery County HHS is using color of the skin to make decisions to fund the African American Health  Program  undermines the African community in Montgomery county and, by implication, the public health of the county.  Elderly  grandparents are slowly dying when diagnosed but do not qualify for services,  the uninsured are helpless, it is the unfunded African mutual aid associations and social networks who are reaching these hard-to-reach populations.

 

I do not run a health program nor seek to do so. I do not need any grant. I speak for the competent groups that can run programs and efficiently so. I see them struggling. Sometimes I cannot help but cry when a patient is more responsive to the culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate  and linguistic specific service of an African organization,  yet the services  do not have bare necessitates and volunteers are using their own money to take patients to health appointments.

 

I am appealing to the African groups to work together to reduce some of the crisis.  A substantial gap in service is addressed by Latinos groups, especially  La Casa, not African American groups. Councilman, it is not easy to look into the eyes of the dying and say...you have use the African American Health program when the person knows nothing about African American culture. Some naturally stare blank and ask why, some are afraid of the unknown or baffled by laws and red tapes.

 

With a growing population comes attendant woes. Today, Continental Africans are  experiencing deaths just like any population; diagnoses caught at late stages,  corpses are being sent back home to Africa and most are citizens of this country and residents of the County.  If we are saying that the Continental African population should be treated differently, unlike other transnational, New American  communities like the Latinos, Asians and Jews receive funds these groups to provide heath and human services to their populations, it is unfair.

 

Let us even look even at the Council and County Executive Grants and the unfairness is stunning. Same thing with the Arts and Humanities Council.

 

The black Latinos and dark skinned Asians are not expected to use the African American program. The HHS blackness policies seems to apply only on the African community, which is influenced by immigrant orientations and  most of the members do not use the African American Health Program as their primary source for Health and Human Service information in Montgomery County. 

 

Councilman, I am  just stating the frequent and prevailing questions in the community. If I do not reflect the views, I would not be an honest person to myself, you or the community. Others may play safe or coy for any favor but that is not my style.  It has been demonstrated that the African and African American  communities share very little in common in terms of socio-cultural orientations, especially on behaviors that affect health.  Dr. Bola Idowu  privately admits the fact. She also knows the African American Health program has no presence or influence in the African community.  So what is the purpose of prioritizing the African American health program to serve as a Community Health Navigator?

 

At the HHS discussions, false presentations were made to give a wrong notion that the African American Health Program works with African health groups like African Women Cancer Awareness Association (AWCA). That was an unnecessary lie. I checked it out. The last time the African Americans had contact with AWCA was in 2007. If the African health and human service groups were allowed to speak, the picture could have been clearer. They came and left disgusted and perhaps humiliated by the "African American Show" that had little bearing on realities on the ground. 

 

The US HHS and Office of Minority Health had an outreach meeting with the African community  on Obamacare and a Community Health Navigator was explicitly suggested. 

 

 My appeal to the African groups is to  work together because they are better able to understand the needs. If the County does not want to support the African community  in face of good evidence, let that be plainly and publicly known. But is not fair to fund a group called Beta that runs the African American Health Program, which has no presence in the African community, and believe the African community is being served.  Let the funded African American Health Navigator provide the data and it can be compared with the data of the unfunded African health and human service groups. It would be clearer who is reaching the population.

 

Councilman, we submitted a comprehensive Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report to the Leggett Administration. One of the outcomes was the  practical distinction between  African Africans and African communities, which resulted in the African Affairs Advisory  Group. It is evident that the African American Health Program is largely unknown in the general African community. 

 

The community knows the decision to subjugate a growing population in order not to fund its services is not fair. We are working to get the African health and human service groups to develop a common health agenda and a Community Health Navigator.  The service providers would have meet with the Leggett Administration to review how the community is being served based on the Recommendations it received . Currently, Montgomery County is unfair to the African community in terms of equitable services that empower a community.

 

 

Best,

Evelyn

 

 

 

In a message dated 9/14/2013 7:51:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Councilmember writes:

Dear Evelyn,

As you know, the African American Health Program does provide community health navigators working specifically with the African immigrant community.

All the best
Deleted
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