Oct 8, 2021 | News
TATT Chat Recap October 7th
Click here for the recording
Click here for the presentation
DHEC Upstate Health Update
- Dr. Kandi Fredere, Upstate Public Health Director, SC DHEC
- Dr. Lisa Carlson, Upstate Medical Director, SC DHEC
Questions Asked:
- Do you recommend getting a J&J shot if you had one shot of the Pfizer and had an allergic reaction from it? Is mixing ok?
- This is best decided with your doctor and make an individual decision.
- Are 3rd shot boosters really necessary, and how do they improve efficacy?
- Data continues to change. Currently, a 3rd dose is for someone who received Moderna or Pfizer and they have an expectation that they would not mount a good response to the initial 2 doses due to immune deficiencies. Which shows that the 3rd vaccine helps mount a better response. The booster is for all individuals who would have had the expected initial immune response, but the immunity has started to wane, especially the 65+ crowd. CDC has expanded it to include individuals exposed frequently to potential COVID exposure.
- Can you talk about the Monoclonal Antibodies?
- Monoclonal antibodies: for a short time, there was excess supply. Effective in preventing disease and can be given subcutaneously via injection. Must have doctor’s orders. They’re available to some via medical providers.
- Does DHEC track excess deaths in South Carolina?
- They look at observed vs. expected for death rates.
Resource Update
Megan Rogers, Carolina Center for Behavioral Health is a 156-bed acute care hospital that is open 24/7. They help with psychiatric and substance use disorder treatment and do not require a referral. See Megan’s TATT newsletter article here.
Carson Lecroy, Hamilton Career and Technology Center helps over 1000 high school students through 20 different programs to help students have some college credit or meaningful adult experience to use post-high school graduation. See Carson’s TATT newsletter article here.
Adjourn
Terence Roberts
Sep 10, 2021 | News
Guest Speaker: George Shira, VP for Human Resources – Chemical Division, Milliken & Company and Jim Shew, Vice President – Employee Health & Benefits, Marsh & McLennan Agency
You can view a recording of the meeting here and the presentation here.
Terence Roberts, TATT Chairman
Impacts of COVID-19 on Employee Benefits and Office Protocols
- George Shira, VP for Human Resources – Chemical Division, Milliken & Company
- Jim Shew, Vice President – Employee Health & Benefits, Marshall & McLennan Agency
Upstate Initiative Update
Dean Hybl, Executive Director, Ten at the Top
Resource Update
Erin Ouzts, Start Grow Upstate Update
Adjourn
Terence Roberts
Aug 26, 2021 | News
Guest Speakers: Matt Bell from SCRA/SC Launch, Frannie Stockwell from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and Larry Bounds from Chautauqua Festival.
Resource Updates
You can view a recording of the meeting here and the presentation here.
Frannie Stockwell, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
- Cherokee’s Chamber works with existing businesses and brings in new businesses
- Economic Development finds industries and the chamber works with small businesses
- Connections are made other ways, such as TATT and Start-Grow Upstate
- SC Work Force assists with jobs and employees
- Institute of Innovation is a great resource for new businesses coming in (high school seniors graduate with a certificate)
- BGen is the Business Generator that assists with budget/vision/mission and helps get businesses on their feet in their space then graduates businesses out to their own space
- Know2 is a connector that also focuses on economic success
Larry Bounds, Chautauqua: History Comes Alive Festival
- Larry is a retired schoolteacher from Greenville County and has been involved for over 20 years in the Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival
- Participants come from all over the country
- This festival honors historical characters such as Hetty Lamar, Rosa Parks, Benjamin Franklin
- At the Mauldin Cultural Center, the performance is outdoors with plenty of parking and space and in the case of weather they are presented virtually
- There are multiple shows per day from September 3-12
- Shows are free of charge (thanks to Metropolitan Arts Council and SC Humanities Commission and donations)
Learn more at http://historycomesalive.org/
Aug 12, 2021 | News
Guest Speaker: Vee Daniel, Executive Director, Better Business Bureau of the Upstate
You can view a recording of the meeting here and the presentation here.
Upstate Initiative Update
Dean Hybl, Executive Director, Ten at the Top
Resource Updates
Amy Connor, New Horizon Family Health Services
- New Horizon Family Health Services (NHFHS) is celebrating National Health Center Week to recognize the important work of health centers in improving the health of the communities we serve.
- Serving Greenville County since 1992.
- Medical offices in Greenville, Greer and Travelers Rest, a dental office in Greenville, a dental mobile unit and two mobile medical units.
- NHFHS accepts private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and offers a sliding fee discount for uninsured individuals who qualify.
- Services include primary care, dental, behavioral health and onsite pharmacy and laboratory services.
- Ryan White Program provides medical and support services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in a 10-county area of the Upstate.
- Health Care for the Homeless Program provides access to primary medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services to individuals experiencing homelessness in a 13-county area using a traveling mobile medical unit at strategic partner locations.
https://tenatthetop.org/health-centers-remain-focused-on-health-care-access-during-pandemic/
Trentsie Williams, GLEAMNS
Oct 15th, 2021: Women’s Leadership Council Event: This is a great leadership opportunity put on by the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce. Sponsorship opportunities for companies, individuals. Great opportunity for mentors too! Click here to learn more!
Jul 30, 2021 | News
Special Program Update: Creating a Safer Upstate – Sheriff Rick Clark & Stinson Ferguson
You can view a recording of the meeting here and the presentation here.
Last year a steering committee was created with representatives across the Upstate from law enforcement, non-profits, clergy, citizens, and business leaders. Questions to address included what does a safer Upstate look Like? Who has the power to create a safer Upstate? How do we move forward? How do we engage non-English speakers? How do we capture the voices of young people? What information do we need? What are the barriers to success?
Three goals were recommended with one subcommittee to work on each:
Goal #1: Engage law enforcement officials, community leaders and residents to work together to build healthy working relationships that elevate mutual respect, value cultural differences, and acknowledge the roles and responsibilities that each play in creating safer Upstate Communities.
Goal #2: Provide regular opportunities for law enforcement and community leaders to convene to discuss community issues and emerging law enforcement topics while exploring approaches that can be implemented across the Upstate Region.
Goal #3: Enhance public trust by documenting, sharing and implementing best practice approaches for developing a sustainable, healthy relationship between law enforcement officials and the greater Upstate Community.
Police Department Community Outreach Survey – Chief Matt Hamby
As part of Goal #1, this subcommittee created a Police Community Engagement Survey. Please see the presentation for survey results:
- The Safer Upstate Task Force created a survey asking about police community engagement that was sent out to 57 police departments and sheriff’s offices in Upstate South Carolina.
- We received responses from 28 police departments and 4 sheriff’s offices.
- We received a response from at least one department in all 10 counties in the Upstate.
Chief Hamby shared community engagement opportunities in Greer including summer youth camps, Fist Bump Fridays at schools, Citizens Academies, and National Nights Out. Chief Hamby encouraged agencies to request funding for community engagement. With the Greer budget of $4,000, they can engage many members of their community and build healthy relationships.
Tri-County Outreach Efforts and Community Meetings – Jacquelyn Blakley
Tri-County Tech, in conjunction with Clemson University and the Creating a Safer Upstate committee, has developed Community Leader Forums:
- Partners: Tri-County, Clemson University and Creating a Safer Upstate
- Attendees: Community leaders and law enforcement in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties
- Goal: Build trust and develop healthy, sustainable relationships
Forums will include:
- Roundtable Discussion
- Police training and credentials
- Community engagement
- Neighborhood safety concerns
- Policing policies
- Other topics
Announcement of Community Safety Virtual Workshop Series – Kim Kegler
Beyond the Shield:
Perceptions, Realities & Community Concerns Around “Hot Button” Public Safety Issues
Each one-hour virtual session will include law enforcement officers and community leaders discussing elements of policing and how to build a collaborative understanding and dialogue around the issues, concerns and opportunities to create a Safer Upstate.
Creating a Safer Upstate Committee Initiatives – Stan Davis
Group #1 will move forward with a focus on data with a template to share information and include community engagement opportunities. Group #2 is pulling together programs to create awareness. Group #3 has taken the before-school engagement activities and piloted the concept around the Upstate with 11 schools visited at the end of the school year and a positive news story by Fox 21 as a result. The efforts of the committees will expand the role that residents play and continue to share best practices.
Resource Update – Billy Crank, LEAD Upstate
- Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) started with Seabrook Marchant buying breakfast for officers at Tommy’s Ham House and grew to an annual sit-down breakfast the Westin Poinsett Hotel.
- Due to COVID, a drive through line was set up last year, providing 450 breakfasts and goody bags in 2020
- The goal of LEAD Upstate is to bridge the local community and law enforcement together in the name of appreciation and gratitude.
- LEAD Upstate provides an opportunity for residents to say thank you to all law enforcement personnel in Greenville County, including Greenville, Greer, Traveler’s Rest, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn.
- Our sponsors are honored to host this event and participate by serving breakfast and handing out prizes.
