health services

Flu season is ramping up and the El Dorado County Public Health is reminding people to get vaccinated. Two Washoe County residents in their 80s died this week due to the flu.

“Thanksgiving week was the first week this fall that the numbers of people in the U.S. who saw their healthcare providers for flu-like symptoms were higher than baseline, heralding the onset of the flu season,” said El Dorado County Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams. “Vaccination can prevent the flu.”

The grand hall at MontBleu Casino Resort has been turned into a holiday paradise, a winter wonderland with the main attraction being the specialty Christmas trees.

On Thursday, local celebrities and media strolled by each of the designer trees, selecting those that won top honors of Most Elegant, Best Theme, Most Creative and Best of Show.

The excellent work on each made it almost impossible to come up with a winner, but four were chosen after much deliberation. Each tree will be paired with a special prize package during a live auction at Saturday's Gala.

The Behavioral Health Division of the El Dorado County (EDC) Health and Human Services Agency invites the public to provide input on the County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three Year Plan Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2018/19. Community members can provide input by email, online survey or at an upcoming community meeting.

Community meetings to receive input for the MHSA plan are scheduled as follows:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Revelers will have double the number of drinks to choose from at the eighth annual Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser on Wednesday, October 4. This is because each mixologist will be crafting both a mocktail and a cocktail.

“Cocktails for a Cause is a lively event that helps support health and wellness programs in our community,” said Jenny Taylor, the event coordinator. “This year, we are offering non-alcoholic options to encourage our community members who choose not to drink to join in on the fun and support an important cause.”

There will be three presentations at the next El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 20 that pertain to fiscal year 2017-18 budget. They are required to approve it by June 30 each year.

"Every year, the County’s Chief Administrator provides a Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration," said Chief Administrative Officer, Don Ashton. "It is but one step along the path to having an Adopted Budget approved by the Board in September.”

Presentations are scheduled as follows:

9:00 a.m. – Senior Legal Services
10:00 a.m. – Road Work Plan

On behalf of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH), I would like to thank an anonymous donor who has donated $4,500 to extend the operating season of the South Lake Tahoe Warm Room through April 30, 2017. This donation supports our mission of meeting the needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness by providing warm beds and an overnight refuge from the elements to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the winter months.

In the 2004 California election, voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), mandating a one percent increase in income taxes for individuals with incomes over $1 million to expand mental health services. The MHSA funds mental health services that are "recovery and resiliency" focused to children and their families, transitional age youth, adults and older adults. MHSA programs must provide integrated service experiences that are client and family driven, wellness, recovery and resilience focused, culturally competent, and include community collaboration.

Starting in Fall 2016, Tahoe Youth & Family Services will begin contracting with Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County to bring suicide prevention education and resources to residents of South Lake Tahoe.

The combined effort will provide community-wide awareness programs and mental health stigma reduction outreach. Suicide survivor grief support groups will also begin at the Tahoe Youth & Family Services’ counseling office at 1021 Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Funding for the new program comes from an El Dorado County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) grant.

Dr. Clint Purvance has announced the addition of three new physicians to the Barton Health team in South Lake Tahoe: Dr. Sherellen Gerhart, Dr. Danielle Priem and Dr. Saul Zelan.

Sherellen Gerhart, MD is Barton Palliative Care's physician. Palliative Care is a new service line created to help patients develop an optimal care plan catered to their individual health and comfort needs once diagnosed with a terminal illness, but not yet ready for hospice; learn more below. Dr. Gerhart is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Palliative and Hospice Medicine, and Geriatric Medicine.

The third annual Mental Health Forum in South Lake Tahoe today brought together almost 60 people who are dedicated to helping the mental and behavioral health in the community.

Hosted by Barton Health, this year's forum participants shared the progress they've made on strategies for mental health and local service gaps that were generated during the 2015 event.

Jeanne Nelson from the South Lake Tahoe chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) was very pleased with the outcome Thursday.

Several South Lake Tahoe projects were awarded this week by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) as being the "Best in the Basin" for demonstrating exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

The projects that were recognized upgraded highways, built new bike trails, improved water quality, restored environmentally-sensitive areas, remodeled blighted commercial buildings, and created defensible space for better wildfire protection.

The Best in the Basin award winners are:

- Many children go undiagnosed and unidentified; they are penalized for inappropriate behavior though symptomatic.
- 42% of diagnosed students graduate with a high school diploma.
- 48% of diagnosed students drop out of school.
- 50% will serve jail time after leaving school; 20% serve sentences prior to leaving school.
- Currently 12 % of children in America under the age of 18 have a diagnosable
mental illness.
- Among the US population, mental illness impacts 1 in 4 individuals.
- 50% of adult cases of mental illness had signs and symptoms by age 14.

There’s no shortage of views on the question of legalizing recreational marijuana in California.

That much was evident at a series of focus groups earlier this year, where 48 men and women representing a cross-section of the state filed into rooms with one-way mirrors to share their opinions. The research is aimed at shaping an expected legalization initiative for the 2016 ballot.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, El Dorado County Mental Health's South Lake Tahoe Clinic is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at its Wellness Center located at 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public.

The facts are startling. El Dorado County has twice the number of suicides than the state average. El Dorado County has 2.5 times the state average of maternity mental issues. The domestic violence rate in El Dorado County is 1.5 times higher than the state average. More people are living in the county with mental issues than ever before.

A day long forum of mental health care providers, agencies, medical professionals and other community members was held in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday in order to find what needs are being met, and unmet, in the area.

This letter was given to South Tahoe Now for publication.
September 26, 2014

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, California 95814

Re: Support for SB 850 State Senator Block – Pilot Baccalaureate Program for
California Community Colleges

Dear Governor Brown:

I am writing to you to urge your signature into law of SB 850 (“The Bill”) by State Senator Block. The Bill as is valuable to our State’s future to increase the education and training of residents of our State.

The former City Council building on Lake Tahoe Blvd is the new home for El Dorado County Mental Health. They'll be packing up their current Johnson Avenue offices on Friday, September 5 and are planning on opening in their new location on Monday, September 8.

WHEREAS, mental illness will affect nearly one in five adults and children in a given year, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or religion; and

WHEREAS, mental health is essential to the overall health of every individual and our community; and

WHEREAS, mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our County with many individuals experiencing times of difficulty and stress in their lives; and

Enjoy a morning of pampering, fitness, and wellness. Barton Health invites
women from the community to attend the third annual Mom’s Morning Out on Saturday, May 3.

“Mom’s Morning Out was started by Barton Health to promote wellness and health services available in our community,” says Leanne Wagoner, Barton’s Community Outreach Coordinator and co-organizer of the event. “It’s a chance for every woman to relax, unwind, and get informed.”

South Lake Tahoe seniors have their center back, and there will be a grand re-opening party to welcome them back into their updated home.

The Senior Center,located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd, received new paint, new carpet, and heavy cleaning in order for local seniors to be able to use the whole facility including the library, dance floor, offices and other areas formerly used by the county's Mental Health Department.

“Empowerment” is the premise of Barton Health's Community Advisory Committee (CAC). After careful evaluation of 19 grant applications, nine-non-profits recently received $24,000 in grants from the CAC. Through these grants, the CAC is able to “empower” area community programs with funding to help close the health gaps and address health issues within the community.

Health care reform continues to be the buzz around the nation, and with the upcoming presidential election, reform will continue to be among one of the hottest discussion topics. Reform is aimed at...

Health Care Reform continues to be the buzz word around the nation, and with the upcoming presidential election, reform will continue to be among one of the hottest discussion topics. Reform is aimed at bringing coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, while improving the quality of patient care provided. As a result, medical providers will be faced with cuts in reimbursement for patient services from government and private payers to help pay for the expanded coverage.

The Lake Tahoe Lifestyle Festival, formerly the "Bijou Bash" will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bijou Community Park.
Barton Health and the City of South Lake Tahoe have made a collaborative effort to combine Barton's Family Health Day and the Bijou Bash - two annual events created for our community and visitors alike. Emphasizing health, recreation and fun.