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In January, members of the OneCare Kansas (OCK) provider network gathered for the first virtual Learning Collaborative of the new year. The Learning Collaborative sessions bring together OCK program directors, managers, and staff from Wichita State University (WSU), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), and the Managed Care Organizations (MCO). These sessions facilitate peer-to-peer learning and gather input from providers to enhance the overall OCK service delivery system.
During this session, participants discussed processes for orienting new team members to the OCK program, shared effective strategies, and explored potential opportunities and resources to streamline and improve the process.
Thank you to everyone who participated! Our team at WSU looks forward to working with our state and local partners to build additional tools and resources to support providers in 2024.
The virtual Community of Practice session for OCK care coordinators and social workers will resume on February 20 at 3:00 p.m. Pre-registration for this session is required. Those interested in joining the conversation can reach out to Vanessa Lohf for additional details.
The state continues to collect success stories from our provider network, illustrating the positive impact of the OneCare Kansas (OCK) program on KanCare members. This month’s success story comes from Janell Nease at High Plains Mental Health Center.
“In January 2023, Susan started her transformative health journey as a member of our OCK Program. Setting personal goals to lose weight and lower her A1C levels, Susan demonstrated unwavering dedication throughout her journey.
Starting at 191 pounds and a BMI of 31.78, Susan was committed to losing weight for the betterment of her health and overall well-being. By March 2023, she had lost one pound, lowering her BMI to 31.61. Susan continued her remarkable progress, reaching a weight of 167 pounds and significantly improving her BMI to 27.79 by November 2023. As of January 2024, Susan achieved a significant milestone, weighing in at 164 pounds with a BMI of 27.29.
Beyond her weight loss journey, Susan prioritized managing her A1C levels. Starting with an A1C level of 10, she has successfully brought it down to 7.5, with a goal to reach levels below 6.
Susan’s success is a result of proactive measures, including monitoring food intake, practicing portion control and effectively reducing sugar intake. Susan also prioritized checking her blood sugars and administering insulin, ensuring she always had her diabetic supplies readily available.
Throughout Susan’s journey, she actively engaged her support system and Care Coordinator for goal setting, motivation and addressing any questions that arose. Susan’s daughter played a crucial role, assisting her with cooking and reinforcing a supportive environment. Susan also took the initiative to educate herself on a diabetic diet, making informed decisions about her food intake.
Our team is proud of Susan's achievements and her commitment to her health goals. Her story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with dedication and a supportive environment, individuals can successfully attain their health goals, leading to an enhancement in overall well-being.”
Thank you, Janell, for sharing this inspiring success story and for your dedicated efforts in supporting Susan. Keep up the great work!
If you have a success story to share, please submit it to the OCK state team.
When youth are in foster care, case management agencies are responsible for referring them to Kansas Legal Services to apply for financial support from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Kansas Legal Services, a non-profit law firm and community education organization, takes on a crucial role in supporting low and moderate-income individuals in the state. Specifically, the Children's Advocacy Resource Center (CARC), an integral program within Kansas Legal Services, focuses on providing extensive support and legal services to those caring for children experiencing housing insecurity and children involved in the state's child welfare system.
While OneCare Kansas providers may not have a direct role in this process, it is essential for them to be aware of the resources available to their members in foster care. For any questions or inquiries related to this issue, providers can contact the Department for Children and Families (DCF).
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in congenital syphilis (CS), with reported cases more than tripling. The number of newborns diagnosed with syphilis in 2022 was over ten times higher than in 2012, marking the highest reported number of cases in a single year since 1992. This alarming trend has raised significant public health concerns, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and intervention.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), poses a significant health risk if left untreated. Congenital syphilis occurs when an individual with syphilis transmits the disease to their unborn child during pregnancy. The health of the unborn child can be severely compromised, depending on the duration of the maternal infection and the timely administration of appropriate treatment.
Congenital syphilis can lead to various health complications for both unborn children and newborns, including miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight and even death shortly after birth. Infants with congenital syphilis also face health risks such as bone deformities, severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, impaired vision or hearing, meningitis, and skin rashes.
Syphilis often presents without symptoms, leaving individuals unaware of their infection. In cases where symptoms arise, they can be mild or mimic other conditions. This makes testing crucial for early detection and treatment. It is recommended that all pregnant women get tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit. If the initial prenatal visit did not include testing, it should be requested at a follow-up appointment. Some women may require additional screenings throughout their pregnancy, depending on their circumstances. It is best to consult a healthcare provider to determine if additional screenings are necessary.
Fortunately, syphilis can be effectively treated and cured with antibiotics. Prompt treatment upon a positive test result during pregnancy is imperative to minimize adverse outcomes for the newborn. Following diagnosis and treatment, a comprehensive one-year follow-up plan should be implemented to ensure the efficacy of the treatment.
Healthcare providers can determine the presence of congenital syphilis in newborns by evaluating factors such as syphilis blood test results and the mother's adherence to treatment during pregnancy. Additional tests, including physical examinations, spinal taps, or X-rays, may be performed on the newborn to confirm the diagnosis.
Expectant mothers can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting congenital syphilis to their unborn child by taking proactive measures. Early testing during prenatal visits, open communication with healthcare providers about sexual history and STI testing, and consistent use of latex condoms during sexual activity are essential steps in prevention. Prioritizing comprehensive prenatal care and prompt treatment can effectively minimize the risk of congenital syphilis, ensuring the well-being of both mothers and newborns. For more information, visit this Congenital Syphilis Fact Sheet.
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