Our April Newsletter in which we look at Wyoming 2-1-1's Q1, spotlight the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association, and more!

A Moment With Sabrina Lane
Wyoming 2-1-1's Executive Director

Looking at the Q1 Call Center Data

by Sabrina Lane

Call data is a core service that Wyoming 2-1-1 provides. Through call tracking and follow-up, Wyoming 2-1-1 actively collects social needs data. This data is unique to Wyoming 2-1-1 and acts as a social barometer, providing a current snapshot of emerging needs and gaps in community services. This data can serve to support and promote collaboration towards community goals and targeted outcomes, inform government decision-making, help to identify where to invest resources, and assist community partners as they advocate for people in need. Lastly, this data reflects the impact that Wyoming 2-1-1 is having around the state.

If you are interested in learning more about your specific county, we would be happy run a report for you. We also have a near real-time dashboard on our website that will reflect the presenting needs based upon the criteria you add. Visit https://wy211.communityos.org/211counts to learn more.

I am pleased to share a snapshot of our quarterly data for Quarter 1, 2022. If you are interested in seeing the full report, you will find a link to it on our website at https://wy211.communityos.org/wy-reports.

From January through March 2022, Wyoming 2-1-1 handled 948 calls/interactions and provided 2,624 referrals statewide. Utility assistance, rent assistance, food and health insurance are among the top needs in the 1st Quarter of 2022.

Wyoming 2-1-1 collects demographic information on individuals calling as a way to understand their consumer base. This information is generally collected through an intake process where the Community Resource Specialists asks the callers specific questions about themselves. The following charts represent the demographics of individuals served between January through March 2022.

67% of callers self-identified as female; 33% as male; and .01% as non-binary.

165 out of 436 families (or 38%) reported being on food stamps.

104 out of 431 individuals (or 24%) reported having some form of disability (developmental, hearing, mental, physical, or some combination).

Wyoming 2-1-1: Bridging the Gap Between Wellness and Social Determinants of Health

It is widely acknowledged throughout the healthcare industry that there is a high correlation between individuals and families who have inadequate financial resources which undermine access to safe and affordable housing, education, public safety, and healthy foods, and individuals who experience adverse health outcomes, including stress, sleep disturbances, physical and mental health problems, cognitive decline, and even mortality. These factors, known as Social Determinants of Health, encompass a wide range of variables which impact upon the health and quality-of-life of everyone.

The utilization of Wyoming 2-1-1 by healthcare providers and facilities helps to address the Social Determinants of Health which affect Wyoming’s population. Wyoming 2-1-1 is the natural link between healthcare providers and individuals with unmet needs. Further, it is a free and confidential service, is easy to use, and brings value to the healthcare industry by providing referrals to needed services. It is likely that increased utilization of Wyoming 2-1-1 by health care providers may result in a decrease in readmission rates and reliance on emergency services and contribute to an overall improvement of the health of the population.

Currently, there is great concern nationwide about the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors in the agriculture industry. Many farmers and ranchers find themselves impacted by circumstances in which they have little or no control. Their livelihoods are impacted on a daily basis by trade wars, natural disasters, low commodity prices, disease, labor shortages, and drought, just to name a few of their stressful challenges.

Dealing with difficult, uncontrollable challenges within the agriculture industries may result in individuals and families finding themselves in need of health care, mental health services, temporary financial assistance, food, addiction prevention programs, support groups or other important and needed resources. The overwhelming demands of farming and ranching may diminish an individual’s willingness to get routine or annual wellness exams, leading to worse health outcomes.

To help meet these demands, Wyoming 2-1-1 is pleased to be partnering with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture to provide information about resources and services that can assist farmers and ranchers across the state as they confront the demands which are unique to their respective industries.

The goal of Wyoming 2-1-1 is to improve the health and welfare of people in Wyoming by connecting them to appropriate services. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.wyoming211.org, people receive personalized information from an experienced specialist in locating a variety of community resources that address safety net services for immediate needs.

With the help of Wyoming’s healthcare providers and information sharing about Wyoming 2-1-1 with folks in the agriculture industry, our Community Resource Specialists can provide information, compassion, resources, and guidance to help empower our friends and neighbors who feed the world to advocate for themselves and take steps toward greater fulfillment in their work and their lives.

(This month we are pleased to present a new feature - the Database DEEP DIVE. This will give us an opportunity to spotlight the resources in our database and the services that they provide. Increased awareness of community resources can only help to contribute to the improvement of the health and wellness of Wyoming's communities.)

This month's DEEP DIVE:

The Wyoming Alzheimer's Association

With three full-time staff and a slew of volunteers, the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association definitely has it's work cut out for it. With 10,000 Wyomingites currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and all of the caregivers, family members, and others who are providing compassion and support, that adds up to a lot of folks who could benefit from resources and services that are specific to the demands of this daunting public health challenge.

Q: What services are available through the Wyoming Alzheimer’s Association?

A: The Association offers a broad range of information about the disease through our website (www.alz.org), as well as educational programs both in-person and virtually through our website. Our free Helpline (800-272-3900) is staffed 24/7 by trained professionals who can answer questions, counsel individuals and provide connections to local resources. And the Association helps bring people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers together both through support groups as well as our events, including our signature Walks to End Alzheimer's. Finally, the Association is the world's leading non-profit funder of research to find a cure for Alzheimer's.

Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges in providing services to your constituents?

A: The biggest challenge we face is public awareness. Only about half of those living with Alzheimer's disease are ever diagnosed. For the others, there is lack of clarity about the physical changes and cognitive decline they are enduring, and no understanding of the resources available through the Alzheimer's Association to help them. The other significant challenge in states like Wyoming is providing services to individuals in remote areas. We are working to serve all Wyoming residents by offering the full range of our services online or phone, and recruiting volunteers to deliver programs in-person.

Q: What are some of the most significant barriers to service for those who need it?

A: The first barrier is lack of awareness among many individuals that they are dealing with a fatal disease that is not just normal aging. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are treatments that can help with symptoms, and educational programs designed to help caregivers cope with the changes in their loved ones and anticipate the legal and financial challenges. Another barrier is the shortage of trained geriatricians who can diagnose dementia. Wyoming currently has only 3 certified geriatricians. To serve the population age 65 and older with dementia in the year 2050, it is estimated that Wyoming will need 26 geriatricians. To serve the state's total 65+ population (not just those with Alzheimer's), it would need 79 geriatricians.

Q: How can a friend or relative be more helpful to someone who is newly diagnosed?

A: Be supportive. It's important to realize that Alzheimer's is a progressive disease. The individual is no different the day after their diagnosis than they were the day before. Be there for them...include them in activities. Do not 'talk around' them as if they cannot hear or understand. They are still your friend/loved one, and need your support. Isolating them will only magnify their sadness. Also, be there for their caregivers. As the disease progresses and the caregiving demands increase, they will need your support. Offer your time and assistance and companionship.

Q: You collaborated for over two years on the development of the Wyoming State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, what progress would you like to report on this exciting plan?

A: We are an active part of the Governor Health Task Force as well as the TeleHealth Task force too. The goal is to ensure that we work with all the Health branches in WY to have consistent policies and procedures toward the Alzheimer's & Dementia diseases. The Alzheimer's Association knows how important Telehealth is in Wyoming, where Rural reach is difficult. We are focusing on understanding the needs in the Rural areas, so we can be active partners in our different task forces.

Q: What success stories would you like to share?

A: As an Association, we increased the federal investment in Alzheimer's and other dementias research at the National Institutes of Health from $504 million in 2003 to a total of $3.5 billion in 2022. Locally, we met with 27 Wyoming legislators, including the staff of Senators Barrasso and Lummis and Rep. Cheney, at our March 1 Day at the Capitol to discuss legislative priorities and the needs of aging Wyomingites.

Wyoming 2-1-1 is pleased to have the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association as a resource in our database. Callers to 2-1-1 with questions, concerns, or needs related to Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia will receive referral information to the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association in addition to other organizations established to address any additional needs.

I asked Marie Snyder recently about the journey that brought her to Wyoming 2-1-1. She responded, "For most of my life, I've been a good listener. I've been the type of person that people come to when they need someone to be understanding and compassionate. Now I'm able to really help as well."

Marie's career has taken a few twists and turns as she started to focus more intently on what she wanted to do. When cosmetology wasn't as satisfying as she had hoped, she switched gears and went back to college to get a degree in business. This opened doors for Marie, and before long she was working with Wyoming Medicaid and supervising all of Wyoming's Medicaid Foster Care cases. During her time with Wyoming Medicaid, she also filled the role of Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Department of Health's Vaccine Hotline, Auditor and Team Lead.

"When I first started (with Medicaid), I was on the phones getting to know people and helping them. I enjoy being the light at the end the tunnel for people in need. Then I gradually moved up the ladder and was given more responsibility, but the priority has always been helping people."

Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your role at Wyoming 2-1-1?

"I'm the type of person who always wants to make things better. I definitely want to help ensure that we continue to provide great service and that our clients are satisfied with the referrals we provide. It's so great to have a position of responsibility in a field where you can really make a difference in people's lives. I'm super excited that I'm catching Wyoming 2-1-1 at a time when growth is happening and that I get to be part of it."

Wyoming 2-1-1 is proud to have Marie Snyder on our team, making a difference and caring about her work.

April 26 - Health and Wellness Fair - Cheyenne
April 30 - Safe Kids Laramie County - Cheyenne LINK
May 2-4 - Greater Rockies Immersive Training on Exploitation and Trafficking - Sheridan LINK
May 7 - Natrona County Baby Shower - Casper LINK
May 13 - We will be presenting at the Casper Municipal Court - Casper
May 16-18 - Wyoming Nonprofit Conference - Catch us in the Gazebo

Look for us! Invite us to your event!

Sabrina Jane Josie Nichole Marie Karis

"I love the spring because it brings on a sense of renewal with the budding flowers and trees!" - Sabrina

"I look forward specifically to Lilacs blooming. That is a scent that I absolutely love in the spring time!! Plus all the greens and blooms!" - Jane

"I look forward to longer days to enjoy the outdoors. I spend a lot of time at the lake " - Josie

"I look forward to all of the beautiful flowers awakening and all of the vibrant colors." - Nichole

"I most look forward to traveling more, I am a traveler by heart and enjoy being outside and exploring new places. (when it is not cold lol)." - Marie

"The beautiful reminder that after each season of grey skies and bare trees comes a season of rebirth and renewal, with colors, sounds and fragrances more vivid and vital than you remember." - Karis

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