Aunt Martha’s Holiday Gift Express donor Chiro One Wellness Centers dropped off a truck full of toys and gift cards for many children in Aunt Martha’s programs on Friday, December 18, 2009 as featured in the Southtown Star.

As featured in the Homer Horizon: Thanks to the generosity of Chiro One Wellness Centers' patients and staff, hundreds of children in Aunt Martha’s programs enjoyed the spirit of the season by receiving their own holiday gift!

Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center’s Children’s Reception Center received a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves from Operation Shining Star on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.

This is the second year Operation Shining Star has paid the children a visit. Operation Shining Star is an effort by the United States Secret Service, Chicago Police, the FBI, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to brighten children’s holidays each year in the Chicago area.

Click here to read the article.

An article about the groundbreaking celebration for the expansion of Aunt Martha’s Vermilion Area Community Health Center, featured in the Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

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Another article about the groundbreaking celebration for the expansion of Aunt Martha’s Vermilion Area Community Health Center, featured in The Commercial-News, Danville, IL, on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

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Danville, Illinois – October 9, 2009 - Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Inc. is breaking ground on a renovation project that will expand the availability of dental and behavioral health services at the Vermilion Area Community Health Center in Danville.

The project will triple the health center’s capacity to provide dental and behavioral health services by adding nine (9) dental operatories and five (5) offices dedicated to the delivery of behavioral health services.

State Representative William Black (104th District) and Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer will join Raul Garza, Aunt Martha's Chief Executive Officer, at a Groundbreaking Ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:00 am on Monday, October 12th. The ceremony will take place at Aunt Martha’s Vermilion Area Community Health Center, located at 614 N. Gilbert Street in Danville.

The project will add: a dental clinic with nine (9) dental operatories, each with exam chair and equipment; a dental lab; a waiting area; a reception area; a medical records room; a break room; five (5) new behavioral health offices and conference space. Renovations will cover 6,035 sq. ft. of what is currently vacant space directly adjacent to the existing health center.

Although patients will still be able to pass from the existing clinic into the new space, the project will essentially create a separate health center dedicated to the delivery of specialty services like dental and behavioral health, with separate entrances and waiting areas. This renovation will increase the health center’s effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of care by eliminating congestion in the reception area but still allowing for the full integration of all the services available within the health center. Offutt Development of Danville has been hired to serve as the general contractor for the project, which should be completed by early spring 2010.

The Vermilion Area Community Health Center is currently open Monday through Saturday. Those hours will not be effected by the renovation project. Appointments for services are preferred; but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment, or to request additional information about the Health Center, please call (217) 442-8790.

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit agency providing complete health care and social services for family members of all ages in underserved communities across Illinois. Established in 1972, Aunt Martha's offers services in ten counties throughout Illinois and reaches more than 80,000 Illinois residents annually. The agency is state licensed to provide child welfare, substance abuse treatment and child care services. All services, including mental health and primary health care, are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

An article about Aunt Martha’s new South Holland Health Center, featured in the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

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An article about the groundbreaking celebration for the project that will expand Aunt Martha’s dental services in Chicago Heights, as featured in the Southtown Star on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

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Aunt Martha’s hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, October 5, 2009, to mark the start of a renovation project that will add a 9-operatory dental clinic to the agency’s Women’s Health Center in Chicago Heights.

Pictured from Left to Right:  Anthony DeLuca, Representative of Illinois’ 80th District; Sonia Perez, Chicago Heights Alderman and Aunt Martha’s employee; Raul Garza, Aunt Martha’s CEO; and Mayor Alex Lopez of Chicago Heights.

Click here to read the press release.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, Aunt Martha’s hosted a grand opening celebration for its Southeast Side Health Center, located at 3528 E. 118th Street in Chicago.

Pictured from Left to Right:  Marlow Colvin, Representative of Illinois’ 33rd District; Raul Garza, Aunt Martha’s CEO; Dr. Gregory Winstead of the Southeast Side Health Center; and Alderman John Pope of Chicago’s 10th Ward.

Click here to read the press release.

South Holland, Illinois - September, 14 2009 - Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Inc. is partnering with the Cook County Department of Public Health, an affiliate of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, to find new ways to preserve its residents' access to primary care and dental clinics in South Holland.

Aunt Martha’s, whose network of 16 community health centers provides over 240,000 visits to more than 74,000 patients across six counties, will take over the two operations.

The County transitioned operations to Aunt Martha's on July 1, 2009 and donated a large portion of its office furniture, medical exam room and dental operatory equipment, valued at approximately $66,000.

Aunt Martha's Health Center will expand the area's access to primary medical, dental, behavioral and women's health services. Patients of all ages are welcome, and will be seen regardless of their ability to pay.

“I am pleased to see this collaborative effort between Cook County government and Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center,” says Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. “This innovative arrangement will assure that health care services will continue to be offered to the indigent and medically underserved residents in the South Suburbs.”

Aunt Martha's will collaborate with CCDPH to provide its family case management services for pregnant women and infants at the South Holland Health Center, as well as several of the County's other south suburban clinic locations. Part of this collaboration will be the continuation of the County's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for indigent clients at the South Holland Health Center.

The South Holland Health Center will focus its efforts on serving more than 30,000 uninsured and Medicaid-eligible residents of South Holland and five other communities. The prevalence of chronic heart disease, breast and prostate cancer is significantly higher in the local population than throughout the rest of the State; and it is estimated that more than half of the target population has not visited a dentist for at least one year.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Cook County Health and Hospitals System’s Chief Operating Officer, William Foley and Raul Garza, Aunt Martha's Chief Executive Officer will be on hand today at 4:30 pm to celebrate the grand opening of the South Holland Health Center and its adjacent Dental Suite, located at 52 and 64 W. 162nd Street. The event is scheduled from 4:30 - 7:30 pm. The ribbon cutting will take place at 5:00 pm.

The South Holland Health Center is currently open Monday through Friday. Appointments for services are preferred; but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment, or to request additional information about the South Holland Health Center, please call (708) 225-9700.

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center is a private, not-for-profit agency providing complete health care and social services for family members of all ages in underserved communities across Illinois. Established in 1972, Aunt Martha's offers services in ten counties throughout Illinois and reaches more than 80,000 Illinois residents annually. The agency is state licensed to provide child welfare, substance abuse treatment and child care services. All services, including mental health and primary health care, are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Aunt Martha’s Healthcare Network kicks off National Health Center Week with several events across many communities in the northern region of Illinois. National Health Center week encompasses health centers across the country to reach out to our communities for health-related needs.

On August 9, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and August 15 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, several booths will be open to the community at the Chicago Heights Community Health Center located at 1536 Vincennes Avenue and the Hazel Crest Community Health Center located at 17850 South Kedzie Avenue in Hazel Crest. The booths will include adult health screenings for glucose, blood pressure and body mass index; education on child obesity, oral hygiene, asthma and diabetes; healthy refreshments and school supplies; along with back to school physicals and dental exams.

The Aunt Martha’s Women’s Health Center and Harvey Community Health Center will conduct two additional community events from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Monday, August 10. The Women’s Health Center is located at 233 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights and the Harvey Community Health Center is located in Harvey at 191 W. 159th Place. The day will include breast and cervical cancer screens; enrollments for All Kids Program, IHC and Family Planning Appointments; Pregnancy Tests; Education on STD’s, Anxiety, Depression and Oral Health; and healthy refreshments will be served. \

On August 9, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and August 15 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, several booths will be open to the community at the Aurora Community Health Center located at 101 S. Broadway. The booths will include adult health screenings for glucose, blood pressure and body mass index; education on child obesity, oral hygiene, asthma and diabetes (only August 9); school supplies; along with back to school physicals and dental exams. Healthy refreshments will be served at each event.

Aunt Martha’s Aurora Satellite location will conduct an open community event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Monday, August 10, located at 317 E. Indian Trail. The day will include breast and cervical cancer screens; enrollments for All Kids program, IHC and Family Planning appointments; pregnancy tests; education on STD’s, anxiety, depression and oral health.

The Aurora Health and Outreach Center located at 76 South LaSalle, will also be open on Friday, August 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during the day and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for Teen Clinic hours with blood pressure, glucose and body mass index screenings; pregnancy testing; education on STD’s, diabetes and oral hygiene.

Aunt Martha’s Great River Community Health Center will conduct an open community event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12 located at 120 East Court Street in Toulon. The day will include pediatric behavioral health screenings; adult blood pressure, glucose and body mass index screenings; enrollments in All Kids program and IHC; education on ADHD, ADD, depression, child obesity and oral health. Healthy refreshments will be served.

The Women’s Health Center will also be open on Friday, August 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during the day and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for Teen Clinic hours with blood pressure, glucose and body mass index screenings; pregnancy testing; education on STD’s, diabetes and oral hygiene; and health refreshments will be served.

Aunt Martha’s Iroquois Community Health Center will conduct an open community event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 11, located at 200 East Walnut Street in Watseka, Illinois. The day will include behavioral health screens; adult health screenings including glucose, blood pressure and body mass index; education on anxiety, depression, hypertension, diabetes and oral health; and healthy refreshments will be served.

The Aunt Martha’s Kankakee Community Health Center will conduct an event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 11 located at 1777 East Court Street in Kankakee. The day will include breast and cervical cancer screens; enrollments for All Kids program, IHC and Family Planning appointments; pregnancy tests; education on STD’s, anxiety, depression and oral health.

On Thursday, August 13, an additional community event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Health Center. The day will include adult health screenings including blood pressure, glucose and body mass index; enrollments for All Kids program, IHC and Prescription Assistance; education on diabetes, asthma and child obesity.

Aunt Martha’s Vermilion Area Community Health Center will conduct an open community event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 11, located at 614 Gilbert. The day will include behavioral health screens; adult health screenings including glucose, blood pressure and body mass index; education on anxiety, depression, hypertension, diabetes and oral health; and healthy refreshments will be served.

On Thursday, August 13, an additional community event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Health Center. The day will include adult health screenings including blood pressure, glucose and body mass index; enrollments for All Kids Program, IHC and Prescription Assistance; Education on diabetes, asthma and child obesity; and healthy refreshments will be served.

If you would like more information about Aunt Martha’s Healthcare Network, please contact Ken Williams at 708-709-7631 or email at kwilliams@auntmarthas.org.

Aunt Martha’s Healthcare Network held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 29, 2009, to mark the start of construction on its new Southeast Side Community Health Center.   The center will continue to provide quality health services at the new location address, 3528 E. 118th Street in Chicago, Illinois.  Plans are to open the center for patient visits on September 1, 2009.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were Larry Perkovich, Staff Assistant to Alderman John Pope of the 10th Ward, Pastora Sanchez, President of the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce, Hank Martinez, Founding Director of the Illinois Latino Resource Institute, Dinah Ramirez, Executive Director of Healthy Southeast Chicago, as well as local school district officials and community members.  Several partners in the project including Catalyst Construction Group, Charles Poulakis and Vasilion Architects were in attendance at the event.

Since November of 2007, Aunt Martha’s and the Illiana Health Center aligned to provide a limited range of primary care services.  The new healthcare facility will offer quality, primary care to the insured, uninsured and underinsured.  The health center will provide a variety of medical services, including primary care, behavioral health and dental services.  The center features include 8 medical exam rooms, a private waiting room, 6 dental exam operatories and behavioral health offices.  Dr. Gregory Winstead will continue to serve patients at the new location while also adding 2 medical assistants, a dentist, dental assistant and medical records staff.

The Southeast Side Community Health Center expects to increase services and encounters by 300% with the added services.  In fiscal year 2009, the health center served approximately 1,293 patients and in fiscal year 2010 the expected patients served will increase to more than 4,000 generating 9,343 encounters.

Clients with Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.  Appointments for services are preferred but walk-ins are also welcome.  The Health Center will be open Monday through Friday.  To schedule an appointment or learn more about the Southeast Side Community Health Center, please call (773) 646-0480.

It takes volunteers from all walks of life and many different careers to make Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center successful. At our Annual Volunteer Luncheon, we said thank you to those important people who play these vital roles.

Recently these volunteers were recognized for their dedication and service and seven were nominated for the prestigious “Volunteer of the Year” award. This year nominees were Timberland Company and Nancy Morrison, Gail Anton, Sylvester Baugh, Allen Jongsma of Living Springs Community Church, Edward Lawson, Claudette Lindsey and Derrick Martin.

Aunt Martha’s recognized the Timberland Company in New Hampshire and its Community Affairs Director, Nancy Morrison as the 2008 Volunteer of the Year! Aunt Martha’s Board of Directors selected the honoree. As this year’s honoree was not able to be in attendance, a video conference was arranged. Board members Andrew Jones and Bill Wesender made note of the global feeling that is created when we interact with people so far away.

According to Nancy Morrison, Community Affairs at Timberland, “We believe strongly that by partnering with effective non-profit organizations we can assist in strengthening communities around the world. This commitment is realized through support of organizations such as Aunt Martha’s whose innovative leadership results in lasting, positive change. It is Timberland’s hope that Aunt Martha’s will view its grants as a vote of confidence in what we are working to achieve.”

The Timberland Company, through its Community Reinvestment Program, has generously donated warm, winter boots to youth in Aunt Martha’s residential homes, shelters and transitional living programs for the past four holidays. Fifty five of our young men and women were recipients of Timberland boots last year! To date, a total of 193 pairs of boots valued at $30,000 have been donated by the Timberland Company.

The self-worth our youth experience in receiving a “Timberland “Boot” is, in itself, priceless. Notwithstanding the workmanship and durability of these boots, they are also a fashion statement to the kids. It is perhaps the most wanted holiday item year after year, always listed on our youths’ wish lists. It has been said that “wearing Timberlands is like wearing a hug!”

Timberland and Nancy Morrison were the volunteers of the year for 2008 but each and every volunteer played a critical role in the lives of our children and families. If you would like to join our volunteers please contact us.

Each year, the United Way and Comcast join together to plan a “Day of Caring” at local non-profit organizations. This year the Comcast office in Tinley Park chose to rejuvenate the playgrounds at Aunt Martha’s HeadStart locations in Park Forest and Riverdale.

Employees from Comcast, along with their children and other family members, put on their gardening gloves and went to work on Saturday, April 28, 2009. An early morning start gave the volunteers enough time to create a vegetable garden, plant flowers and clean and landscape the play areas. Their dedication and hard work added wonderful additions to both playgrounds. The children of HeadStart will now be able to watch the garden and flowers grow, while learning about the nature in their own backyard.

We all try to prevent cavities, but do we realize maintaining healthy gums is equally important. Studies show periodontal or gum disease is increasing in both adults and children.

On a recent visit, Johanna Manasse of the Alliance of the American Dental Association stressed the importance of cavity prevention and maintaining good oral health to the mothers in Parents Too Soon/Healthy Families Illinois.

Prairie State College dental hygienists, Sharde Woods and Kathryn Grace encouraged the mothers to instill proper oral care habits very early in their child’s life as it is the most effective way to promote oral health.

Afterwards they distributed oral health tools and demonstrated their proper use. They encouraged mothers to be especially vigilant to the oral health of their developing children as it so closely relates to overall wellness.

To support the oral health message, Ms. Manasse presented each participant with a cookbook filled with family friendly and healthy meal recipes that promote good nutrition associated with oral health. Manasse obtained the cook books through her grant application on behalf of the Parents Too Soon participants.

The joint presentation of Alliance of the American Dental Association and Prairie State College dental hygienists stressed a serious concern, good oral health with a touch of humor and an easy approach making it easy to understand and remember.

Parents Too Soon / Healthy Families Illinois provides education, support and encouragement to young parents with the goal to decrease the risk of abuse and to promote healthy parent/child interactions and activities. Currently there are 68 parents and 73 children in the program.

Aurora – Each year more than 40 million Americans will suffer with an anxiety disorder and over 20 million will suffer from some type of depressive illness. The cost to the economy of these terrible diseases is billions of dollars each year; the cost in human suffering is immeasurable. National Anxiety & Depression Awareness week is the opportunity to bring awareness and public education about anxiety and depressive illnesses.

Fear and anxiety are a normal part of life, even adaptive in many conditions. Who among us has not studied for a test without some anxiety -- and scored better for it? Who has not walked down a dark street in a high crime district without mounting fear? Normal anxiety keeps us alert: it makes us question whether we really have to walk down that street after all.

Mental health professionals are not concerned with normal anxiety. Rather, they attend to fear and anxiety that has somehow gone awry; that inexplicably reaches overwhelming levels; that dramatically reduces or eliminates productivity and significantly intrudes on an individual's quality of life; and for which friends, family and even the patient can find no obvious cause. There is help and hope.

Aunt Martha’s Healthcare Network will be having free anxiety and depression screenings in Aurora during National Anxiety & Depression Awareness week. The free screening is available for persons of any age and no appointment is necessary. Screenings will be held at the Aunt Martha’s Aurora Healthcare Center at 101 South Broadway on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Then on Thursday, May 7, 2009 the screenings will be at the Aunt Martha’s Aurora Satellite Healthcare Center located at 317 East Indian Trail from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Dear Patients,

We at Aunt Martha's would like to keep you updated on the current developments in health care. Recently, there has been an outbreak of Swine Flu in the United States. Aunt Martha's is readily equipped with an Emergency Response Program to care for you in the event that our region is impacted by this disease. Further, we would like to offer this Frequently Asked Question Handout to answer some of the questions you may have. Feel free to review this, and also to ask further questions of your provider. We exist to serve you.

What is swine influenza?
Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Recovery tends to be high and severe disease, ending in death, low (1-4%). Although swine influenza viruses are normally species-specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.

What are the implications for human health?
Outbreaks and sporadic human infection with swine influenza have been occasionally reported. Generally clinical symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza but primarily are fever and cough. Others could be muscle aches, throat pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

How do people become infected?
People usually get swine influenza from infected pigs, however, some human cases lack contact history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances.

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C.

What about the pandemic risk?
It is likely that most people do not have immunity to swine influenza viruses. If a swine virus establishes efficient human-to human transmission, it can cause an influenza pandemic. The impact of a pandemic caused by such a virus is difficult to predict: it depends on virulence of the virus, existing immunity among people, cross protection by antibodies acquired from seasonal influenza infection and host factors.

Is there a human vaccine to protect from swine influenza?
There are no vaccines that contain the current swine influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection.

• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

• Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Contact your doctor or healthcare provider before traveling to see them and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have swine influenza (for example, if you have recently traveled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you for care.

* Portions of the FAQ originated from the World Health Organization

Estimados Pacientes,

Nosotros en Aunt Martha's quisiéramos mantenerle al tanto de los desarrollos actuales en el mundo de la medicina. Recientemente, ha habido un brote de la Influenza Porcina en los Estados Unidos. Aunt Martha’s esta equipado con un Programa de Respuesta de Emergencia para cuidad de usted en caso que nuestra región sea impactada por esta enfermedad. Además, quisiéramos ofrecer este folleto con Preguntas Frecuentes para contestar algunas preguntas que usted pueda tener. Tome la libertad de repasar esta información y de hacerle otras preguntas a su proveedor de cuidado medico. Existimos para servirle.

¿Qué es la influenza porcina?
La influenza porcina es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda altamente contagiosa que ocurre en los cerdos, y que es causada por uno de los varios virus de influenza tipo A que circulan en estos animales. La recuperación solerse hacer alta y enfermedad seria, causando la muerte, baja (1-4%). Aunque los virus de influenza porcina normalmente son específicos de ésa especie y solamente infectan cerdos, en algunas ocasiones logran pasar la barrera entre especies y causar enfermedad en humanos.

¿Cuáles son las implicaciones para la salud humana?
Brotes y casos esporádicos de infección en humanos con virus de influenza porcina se han reportado ocasionalmente. Los síntomas clínicos generalmente son similares a los de una influenza estacional pero principalmente son la fiebre y tos. Otros síntomas pueden ser dolores musculares, dolor de garganta, cansancio, nausea y vomito.

¿Cómo se infectan las personas?
Las personas usualmente adquieren la influenza porcina de cerdos que están infectados; sin embargo, algunos casos humanos no tienen antecedentes de contacto con cerdos o con espacios de medio ambiente donde haya habido cerdos. La transmisión de persona a persona ha ocurrido en algunos casos.

¿Se puede consumir carne de cerdo o productos derivados del cerdo?
Sí. La influenza de origen porcino no ha mostrado ser transmitida a personas a través del consumo de alimentos que hayan sido adecuadamente manipulados y preparados, como la carne de cerdo y otros derivados del mismo. El virus de la influenza de origen porcino muere fácilmente a temperaturas de cocción de 70°C/160°F.

¿Qué hay sobre el riesgo de pandemia?
Es posible que muchas personas, especialmente aquellas que no tienen contacto regular con cerdos, no tengan inmunidad que los proteja contra la infección por virus de influenza de origen porcino. Si un virus de origen porcino establece una transmisión eficiente de persona a persona, éste puede causar una pandemia de influenza. El impacto de una pandemia causada por tales virus es difícil de predecir, pues depende de la virulencia del virus, de la existencia o no de inmunidad en las personas, de la protección cruzada por anticuerpos adquiridos a través de la infección con virus de influenza estacional y de factores propios del portador.

¿Existe vacuna para protegerse de la influenza de origen porcino?
No. No hay vacunas para contener el virus de influenza porcina que actualmente está causando enfermedad en humanos. Se desconoce si las vacunas actuales contra la influenza humana estacional pueden brindar alguna protección.

• Evite contacto cercano con personas que parecen estar enfermos y que tienen fiebre o tos.
• Lávese las manos con jabón y agua con frecuencia y completamente.
• Practique los buenos hábitos de salud incluyendo durmiendo adecuadamente, comiendo comidas nutritivas, y manteniéndose activo físicamente.

• Permanezca en casa y manténgase fuera del trabajo, la escuela o los grupos tanto sea posible.
• Cubra su boca y nariz con pañuelos disponibles al toser o estornudar y disponga de los pañuelos usados apropiadamente.
• Lávese las manos con jabón y agua frecuentemente y completamente, especialmente después de toser o estornudar.
• Póngase en contacto con su doctor o proveedor de cuidado medico antes de viajar a verlos y reporte sus síntomas. Explique porque usted piensa que usted tiene la influenza de origen porcino (por ejemplo, si usted ha viajado recientemente a un país donde hay un brote de la influenza de origen porcino en seres humanos). Siga el consejo dado a usted para su cuidado medico.

* Portions of the FAQ originated from the World Health Organization

Aurora, Illinois – Elizabeth M. Duke, Ph.D, Administrator, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services visited Aunt Martha's Aurora Community Health Center on Thursday, September 25, 2008 to personally deliver a $150,000 mental health service expansion grant.

"Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Inc. was informed of the award last month, but having the Administrator present the award personally is a great honor for the Aunt Martha's organization," said Gary Leofanti, Aunt Martha's President & CEO.

Dr. Duke has led the implementation of President Bush's Health Center Initiative, which has created or expanded 1,200 health centers since 2001 and boosted the number of patients served annually at health centers from 10 million in 2001 to 17 million in 2007.  Currently, federally qualified health centers deliver high quality primary and preventive care to patients, regardless of their ability to pay, at 7,000 sites across the United States.

The grant will enable Aunt Martha's to expand mental health and substance abuse services to an additional 1,200 adults and 600 children and youth at full operational capacity.  The expansion will target the 31,000 uninsured and medically underserved individuals in Aurora and surrounding communities.

Recognizing that primary care is the main portal of entry into treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders, Aunt Martha's requested funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration to better integrate mental health and substance abuse services into primary care, provide additional psychiatric appointments, and employ a bilingual therapist to serve the needs of Spanish speaking patients.

"The need for integrated behavioral health services at our Aurora sites is clearly evident," said Leofanti.  "We receive about 3 referrals a week to provide psychiatric or therapy services to adults without insurance.  Given conservative estimates of 20% incidence of depression and 5.4% incidence of serious mental illness in the Kane County population, roughly 760 of our adult primary care and homeless patients may suffer from depression alone and 150 may suffer from serious mental illness."

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.  For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center has begun utilizing telepsychiatry to reach children and adolescents at six community mental health centers in rural areas of Illinois.  Telepsychiatry is a form of telemedicine and is increasingly growing in popularity across the United States.  Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center has begun utilizing telepsychiatry to reach children and adolescents at six community mental health centers in rural areas of Illinois.  Telepsychiatry is a form of telemedicine and is increasingly growing in popularity across the United States.  Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.

Six Community Mental Health Centers in downstate Illinois will refer children and adolescents, ages 0-17 with behavioral and emotional problems, who can access the video-conferencing for psychiatric evaluations and medication management through Aunt Martha's videoconferencing network.  Telepsychiatry reduces costs for families by eliminating travel, child care expenses and saves time.

Aunt Martha's has years of experience providing services to children and families and has developed a collaborative model of service delivery that provides individualized, accessible and culturally sensitive services.  Currently Aunt Martha's employs five child and adolescent psychiatrists serving children and adolescents over five counties in northeastern and east-central Illinois.  A certified/board eligible child psychiatrist will be employed in this program.

Aunt Martha's is the first private secure network in Illinois to provide telepsychiatry services.  The technology system that has been created is the first of its kind in the state.  Illinois, like many states with rural areas, has a shortage of child psychiatrists.  Aunt Martha's telepsychiatry program will bring much needed child psychiatrists to these rural Illinois communities and provide a model for expanding services to more communities in Illinois in the future.

Mrs. Palmalea Taylor, a retired nurse and Danville volunteer, was named Volunteer of the Year.  Better known as Pam, she was instrumental in bringing Aunt Martha's to Danville to operate a community health center.  A volunteer of the Vermilion County free clinic for years prior to Aunt Martha's Vermilion Area Community Health Center, Pam puts in full-time hours, including an occasional Saturday.

It takes volunteers from all walks of life and many different careers to make Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center successful.  Recently, at our Annual Volunteer Luncheon, we said thank you!

More than 40 volunteers were recognized for dedication and service, among them:  Valerie Birk, Dee Mart, Vicki Cepil, Valissa Cohen, Laura Cottrell, Amanda Kuna, Kelly Levinson, Ron Mosley, Reid Poll, Wanda Thomas, Renay Tucker, Morgan Smith and Stephanie Weber.

Mrs. Palmalea Taylor, a retired nurse and Danville volunteer, was named Volunteer of the Year.  Better known as Pam, she was instrumental in bringing Aunt Martha's to Danville to operate a community health center.  A volunteer of the Vermilion County free clinic for years prior to Aunt Martha's Vermilion Area Community Health Center, Pam puts in full-time hours, including an occasional Saturday.

She provides prescription assistance and nursing support, replicates all medical records prior to review and checks medication accuracy against patient charts.  She recruits friends to help with fundraising and has conducted several events raising more than $6,000 per year for the Vermilion Area Community Health Center.

Active in the Illinois State Medical Society Alliance, Pam has served as Chair of their Legislative Committee.  She sits on numerous local and state boards and committees and has served on the Illinois Health Facilities Committee under several governors.

Last year, 244 volunteers helped Aunt Martha's fulfill its mission.  If you would like to join our list of volunteers please contact Charlotte Brislen at cbrislen@auntmarthas.org.

- The Kane County Chronicle (Geneva, Illinois): "Aunt Martha's offering free prostate exams."

Quoted by David Letterman on The Late Show during his Small Town News segment was a joke about Aunt Martha's and how she gives free prostate exams.  Actually, Aunt Martha's Healthcare Network provides the service.

C. Gary Leofanti, Aunt Martha’s President/CEO comments, "We accept the good natured ribbing coming from Mr. Letterman, but all kidding aside, healthcare screening for cancer is no joking matter.  Aunt Martha’s cancer screenings are looking for evidence of cancers before a person has any symptoms.  This can help find cancer at an early stage and may allow for better treatment options." Aunt Martha’s Healthcare Network offers many preventative healthcare screening exams including those for breast, cervical and prostate cancer.

Looking for Aunt Martha’s to give you a free screening?  Find one of our health centers in Illinois near you.

Staff members and youth volunteers from Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center participated in a nationwide symposium February 11-14, 2008 in Washington D.C.

"Sustaining Success in a Time of Change" was the theme of the 18th Annual Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum.  This conference attracts youth advocates and social service leaders from across the nation.

Staff members and youth volunteers from Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center participated in a nationwide symposium February 11-14, 2008 in Washington D.C.

"Sustaining Success in a Time of Change" was the theme of the 18th Annual Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum.  This conference attracts youth advocates and social service leaders from across the nation.

Representing Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center at the Youth Conference were Mary Jo Brill of Homewood, Youth Participation Program Coordinator, Anna Soloff of Homewood, Youth Participation Program Coordinator, along with the youth volunteers:  Andre Hubbard of Park Forest, Ozzie Moore of Park Forest, Latoyia Kelly of Park Forest, Latia Alexander of Park Forest, and Laryah Alexander of Park Forest.

Highlighting the conference was Capitol Hill Day where conference attendees rallied together on Capitol Hill in order to generate support for appropriations for prevention programs geared toward keeping youth active and drug free.  Following the rally, attendees met privately with their local legislators to discuss the importance of this type of funding.  Aunt Martha's representatives met with U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Chicago.

"One of our program goals is to show youth that they can have a voice in matters that concern them.  This visit gave them that opportunity", Mary Jo Brill said.  "Talking with one of our nation's leaders was truly an empowering experience for them."

The mission of CADCA is "To Strengthen the Capacity of Community Coalitions to Create and Maintain Safe, Healthy and Drug-Free Communities." CADCA supports its members with training and technical assistance, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences and special events.

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center and Aunt Martha's Healthcare Network is a private, not-for-profit, regionally-based agency providing complete health and social services for family members of all ages in underserved areas across Illinois.  Established in 1972, Aunt Martha's now has services in nine counties throughout Illinois and cares for over 39,000 Illinois residents.  The agency is state licensed to provide child welfare, substance abuse treatment and child care services.  All services, including mental health and primary health care, are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).  Aunt Martha's is also a United Way partner agency.

CISCO Unified Communications is the phone and voice over IP provider for Aunt Martha's.  CISCO works with the agency in responding to the technological needs in a cost effective and user friendly manner.  This technology allows Aunt Martha's to use its own network of communication lines to make and receive phone calls.  In May 2007, Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center's IT and Communications & Development Departments worked with CISCO Systems on a promotional video.

CISCO Unified Communications is the phone and voice over IP provider for Aunt Martha’s.  CISCO works with the agency in responding to the technological needs in a cost effective and user friendly manner.  This technology allows Aunt Martha’s to use its own network of communication lines to make and receive phone calls.  In May 2007, Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center’s IT and Communications & Development Departments worked with CISCO Systems on a promotional video.

CISCO sent camera and sound technicians as well as a producer from New York to capture Aunt Martha’s employees using technology in assisting clients.  CISCO has used this video in their marketing campaign to other non-profits. In this three minute video, see how upgrading the telephone systems enables Aunt Martha’s to more effectively pair people with assistance programs, and see Aunt Martha’s innovative approaches in helping people!