People’s Community Clinic, along with our community partners, offers a variety of services that are open to the public on a weekly basis including healthy cooking classes, eye exams, mammograms, fresh food available at a discount, and more.
Check out our schedule below (English & Spanish) to see what’s happening and join us in promoting a healthier community.
Did you know our summers are getting hotter and hotter? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says we’ve had record-breaking temperatures for 11 months straight!
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Nilanjana Dasgupta, and the CDC have great tips to help you stay safe and healthy like how to avoid getting too hot and how to stay hydrated.
Here are some tips:
By following these tips from the CDC, you can enjoy a safe and healthy summer while minimizing the risk of hyperthermia and dehydration.
View more in-depth information on hyperthermia and dehydration on the CDC website.
Austin Parks & Recreation has excellent summer camps for kids ages 5 to 15. They have camps for different interests like nature, arts, and sports. If you need help paying for camp, they offer financial aid. You can find more information and sign up here.
Link – Summer Camps | AustinTexas.gov
Summer Playgrounds by Austin Parks & Recreation is a free drop-in program where kids can join fun outdoor activities like sports, arts and crafts, games, and more. This program runs from June 10 to August 2, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for kids ages 5 to 12. There is no need to sign up early; just show up and play! (This is on a first-come, first-served basis)
Link – Summer Playgrounds Program | AustinTexas.gov
Camp El Ranchito provides outdoor experiences for children, offering them a safe and fun environment to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. There is limited space so register quickly!
If you have a teenager wanting to earn money, Austin Parks and Recreation hires summer camp counselors at $20 per hour. Teens must be 18 or older to apply. Learn more and apply here.
Link – Join Our Team! | AustinTexas.gov
Need help with food? Check out these programs:
Austin Independent School District offers free breakfast and lunch for students at many schools during the summer.
Link – Free Summer Meals | Austin ISD
Link – Free Meals for Kids & Teens | Central Texas Food Bank
Find meal sites using Find Food Now. You can also call 2-1-1, text FOODTX to 877-877 for help locating a site near you.
For more food options outside Austin:
Texas Department of Agriculture Summer Meal Site Map
Call 2-1-1 or text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 to find free meals nearby.
The Thinkery offers free admission on Sundays from 3–5 pm and Tuesdays from 3–7 pm. It has fun STEAM activities for kids.
Link – Community Hours – Thinkery (thinkeryaustin.org)
The Blanton Museum at the University of Texas at Austin has free admission every Tuesday.
Link – Free Tuesday at the Blanton! – Blanton Museum of Art
The Texas Bob Bullock History Museum offers free admission every first Sunday of the month with interactive exhibits about Texas history.
Link – The Bullock Texas State History Museum (thestoryoftexas.com)
What sets People’s apart?
Since, 1993, the Center for Adolescent Health (CAH) at People’s Community Clinic has been making a positive difference in the lives of young people. Led by Dr. Celia Neavel, who is board-certified in Family Medicine with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Adolescent Medicine, CAH is committed to providing high quality, holistic care for adolescents and young adults who often face complex challenges. CAH welcomes all, including LGBTQ+ and neuro diverse patients.
“We aim to provide leadership in the highest standards of health and wellness care, inspiring, mentoring, and advocating for holistic, inter disciplinary, cost-effective, community-based medicine,” Dr. Neavel explains. CAH is the only local comprehensive adolescent medical program for at-risk teens in the area and received Gold Level Certification as an Adolescent-Centered Environment from the Adolescent Health Initiative.
In addition, CAH hosts the annual Adolescent Health Symposium, which brings together healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders to learn about the latest research and best practices in adolescent health. The symposium is an essential tool for keeping the community current on important issues.
Overall, People’s Center for Adolescent Health is a vital community resource for addressing the complex needs of young people and ensuring they receive the care and support to thrive.
Provider Spotlight
People’s is fortunate to have Family Nurse Practitioner LouAnne Verrier on our adolescent team. Her dedication is evident in the sensitive way she interacts with patients and the high level of care she provides.
LouAnne works with schools and community organizations to provide young people with safe spaces to talk candidly about sexual and reproductive health with their friends, parents, and educators. Through the Texas Healthy Futures program, LouAnne and the team are able to address the increasing barriers that young people in Texas face in obtaining quality sex education, access to contraception, and sexual healthcare.
Nursing is a family tradition; LouAnne is a second-generation nurse practitioner and a fourth-generation nurse. Her mother, Kittye Rice Roberts, worked at People’s in the 1970s. A photo of LouAnne and Kittye with other clinic staff from decades ago hangs in the clinic, a wonderful reminder of the generations providing high-quality healthcare at People’s.
“The care you get at People’s is a little deeper than the average doctor/patient relationship”
My name is Esteban* and I drive a school bus-a job I love. I am a single parent raising four kids, all of whom come to People’s for care. When we moved to a new neighborhood, we switched clinics for a while. I learned that when you go to other clinics you see a doctor. When you go to People’s, you see a team that cares about you. My teenage son had develop mental problems that held him back from success at school and socially. People’s not only helped him, but worked with his school to make sure he was getting the attention he needed. My son is on a good path now. The care you get at People’s is a little deeper than the average doctor/patient relationship.
*Name changed to protect patient privacy.
People’s Community Clinic’s Adolescent Health Department is making a real difference in the lives of young people in the Austin community. Led by Dr. Celia Neavel, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine, the department is committed to providing high quality, holistic care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) who often face complex challenges. As Dr. Neavel explains, “We aim to provide leadership in the highest standards of health and wellness care, inspiring, mentoring, and advocating for holistic, interdisciplinary, cost-effective, community-based medicine.”
Founded in 1993, People’s Center for Adolescent Health (CAH) provides specialized care for low-income, underserved teens in Central Texas. The CAH is the only local comprehensive adolescent medical program for at-risk teens in the area.
In 2020, People’s CAH was honored to receive a Gold Level Certification as an Adolescent Centered Environment from the Adolescent Health Initiative. Fellowship-trained adolescent medicine and other AYA-friendly physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, lawyers, medical assistants, social workers, health educators, medical scribes, and other health professionals focus on best practices as an interdisciplinary team. Services include physicals, immunizations, reproductive health, behavioral health, help with school problems, chronic disease management, and minor acute and sick care. Notably, the CAH welcomes all AYA, including LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse patients.
One of the department’s great successes is its Youth Advisory Council (YAC), which gives voice to 14-24-year-olds who work with clinic staff to identify ways to better engage and serve youth. This collaboration has been essential in making the clinic a safe and youth-friendly healthcare space. The YAC teaches staff about biases, how to engage youth, and provide better care for this population. It is a valuable resource for the clinic and its young patients.
In addition to offering high-quality care to youth, the Adolescent Health Department is committed to educating healthcare professionals and the community about adolescent health. Each year, the department hosts the Adolescent Health Symposium, which brings together healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders to learn about the latest research and best practices in adolescent health. The symposium is an essential tool for keeping the community up to date on important issues.
Overall, People’s Adolescent Health Department is a vital community resource for addressing the complex health needs of young people and ensuring that they receive the care and support needed to thrive during this critical stage of development.
With Gratitude,
Regina Rogoff, JD
Chief Executive Officer
People’s Community Clinic
Did you know that even though Texas offers top-notch medical treatments for those with insurance, it also has the highest number of uninsured individuals in the country? Over five million people, comprising 18% of the population, lack insurance. This number is expected to increase as Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of Texans expires with the end of the Public Health Emergency.
The lack of health insurance particularly affects people with chronic conditions, like diabetes or hypertension. They have worse health outcomes and face higher complication rates compared to those who are insured. At People’s, we are committed to providing access to quality health care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. And we understand that health is not limited to annual check-ups, which is why our clinic goes beyond traditional primary care services.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
To promote a holistic approach to healthcare, People’s has a Community Health Worker (CHW) program that helps our patients navigate the healthcare system and find resources to address critical needs, like food insecurity or access to the internet. CHWs connect patients to our food pantry, ensuring no one goes hungry. They also address transportation issues, making sure patients can attend their doctor appointments without difficulties. CHWs help find safe, affordable housing and help patients overcome language barriers. Working closely with our medical providers, our CHWs develop care plans that consider patients’ overall well-being, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced disparities.
DIRECT IMPACT
To assess the impact of our work with patients the clinic is implementing a patient needs survey. This survey helps us better understand each patient’s unique needs and identify areas that require additional support. It covers a range of questions, such as access to banking services, high-speed internet, English classes, and financial aid for education. It also addresses concerns about food security, housing, utilities, transportation, and assistance with essential benefits like food stamps, WIC, veteran’s benefits, welfare, or tax filing assistance. By tailoring services to meet individual needs, People’s ensures comprehensive support for our patient’s well-being.
THANK YOU
Access to healthcare is more critical than ever, and your support is invaluable to our mission. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us make a difference in the lives of our patients.
With Gratitude,
Regina Rogoff, JD
Chief Executive Officer
People’s Community Clinic
Flu season is here! There’s also an updated COVID vaccine booster and concerns about the spread of Monkeypox. Read on to learn who should get these vaccines and when.
COVID booster
A new COVID vaccine booster, sometimes called the Omicron booster or bivalent booster, is now available. Protection from the COVID vaccine fades over time, so a booster rebuilds your protection for another three to four months. The new booster also helps protect specifically against the types (or subvariants) of COVID that are currently spreading most
Who should get it? Everyone aged 5 and older is recommended to get the Omicron booster shot, but it is especially important if you are over 60, have other medical conditions, or have a weakened immune system. Kids under 5 can’t currently get the new booster. Kids and teens will get a smaller dose of the updated booster based on age; anyone 6 and up can get either Pfizer or Moderna, while Pfizer is approved for ages 5 and up.
When should you get it? You must be fully vaccinated and your last COVID shot or booster must have been at least two months ago. If you tested positive for COVID recently, you may want to wait three months to get the booster. Otherwise, experts recommend getting your COVID booster as soon as you are able.
Flu shot
This year’s flu season has come to Texas early and is expected to be worse than usual. At the clinic we have already seen hundreds of cases of flu. To be protected against flu, you must get the flu shot every year.
Who should get it? Everyone over 6 months old is recommended to get the flu shot.
When should you get it? Now! Ideally, get your flu shot by the end of October.
Can you get a flu shot and COVID booster at the same time? Yes.
Monkeypox vaccine
Monkeypox is a serious and painful illness that was rare in the U.S. until this year, though it seems that cases are decreasing now. It is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and most people are at very low risk.
Who should get it? The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including:
When should you get it? If you are at high risk of monkeypox or have been exposed in the past four days, it’s recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. You will need two doses of vaccine spaced 28 days apart.
Can you get a monkeypox vaccine at the same time as a flu shot or COVID booster? Yes, though people at increased risk of inflammation of the heart should wait four weeks after their monkeypox vaccine to get a COVID vaccine.
Historically, a child’s annual check-up often took 10 minutes. The doctor asked a few questions, took a couple of measurements, and that was pretty much it, as long as nothing was obviously wrong. People’s takes a different approach — an approach meant to link a baby’s early brain development to its future physical development and well-being.
Physical and mental health are closely related. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — such as abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and other stressors — can impede brain development and cause negative health consequences later on in life. Such consequences include substance abuse, poor health, depression and even premature death.
Fortunately, People’s has a number of programs meant to help caregivers support their children to promote healthy brain development. We do this by strengthening core skills, supporting responsive relationships, and reducing sources of stress. Among People’s programs that help achieve this are Reach Out and Read, a national program to promote childhood literacy and early brain development in a health care setting; Play-to-Learn, which provides parents and children ages 1-5 a space to enjoy educational activities, games, songs and crafts; and Filming Interactions to Nurture Development (FIND), a video coaching program that strengthens positive interactions between caregivers and children.
When you visit People’s with your child, expect your physician to ask you about conditions that might affect your child’s brain development, and possibly recommend one or more of the many programs we have available to help. Healthy brain development is crucial for a healthy life, so sign yourself and your child up today to participate in the clinic’s early childhood initiatives. For more information, you may contact Celina Nance at People’s Community Clinic (Celina.Nance@austinpcc.org).
People’s Announces Expansion of Dental Care Program
People’s is excited to announce the expansion of its dental services. Beginning in early 2023, all current patients from 6 months old through adulthood will be eligible for dental care. Our dental care program offers cleanings and deep cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns, and bridges — even root canals. Some services may also be available to individuals who are not currently patients, on a case-by-case basis. Scientists tell us that the health of our teeth and gums is a vital part of our body’s overall well-being, so please plan to make an appointment soon! Just ask your health care provider to make a referral or call our main number for scheduling.
