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YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — On the eve of World AIDS Day, one local organization is giving out information, supplies, and tests.

Family First Health in York will be doing free rapid HIV testing all day Wednesday. ON Tuesday, they handed out condoms and information about safe sex at Central Market in York. Patients and organizers agree that although AIDS has slipped from the headlines, it remains a major threat.

“We need to make people aware that HIV and AIDS are out there and people need to get tested to know their status,” Julio Rivera said.

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By: Jenny Englerth, President & CEO of Family First Health

As Hispanic Heritage Month concludes, now is a time for celebrating and embracing the racial and ethnic diversity that makes up our community and makes it strong.  It also creates a time for reflection.

Family First Health’s foundation is rooted in social justice and equity.  For the past 50+ years, we have continued work to advance our mission of improving lives by understanding, advocating for and valuing the various perspectives and experiences of our patients, our workforce and the diverse communities where we exist and serve.

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Because our organization’s work has focused on improving equity in health outcomes, we are disappointed in the Central York School District’s previous decision to ban a list of more than 300 resources, which reflect the diverse people, cultures and perspectives that make up our community.  Such a decision is shortsighted in limiting the learning of our students and fostering understanding; and, decisions like these are bad for our health.

Research indicates that individual and structural racism denies opportunity to people of color and robs them of their physical and mental health.  The life expectancy of people of color is often a decade, or more, shorter than their white neighbors.  People of color face higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and mental illness.  These health inequities, and often the diseases themselves, stem in part from the stress of being silenced, ignored, oppressed and targeted for violence.  We see this impact on our patients every day.

The Central York School District Board has reversed its previous decision and we applaud and stand with the students, families, staff and community members who bravely protested the ban.  The collective action required to prompt the reversal of this decision will create many positive ripple effects. However, we know that our community will require ongoing action to address ongoing, systemic racism to begin to mitigate the impact of racism on the health of our community.

Family First Health strives for our work to be relevant, compassionate and responsive to all by closing the gap and raising the bar in addressing inequities in health.  Through this, we all have the opportunity to achieve enhanced understanding to work together to build up our communities by changing systems, addressing challenges and seeking unity.

To demonstrate Family First Health’s ongoing support of diverse learning, we are installing a “Little Free Library,” supported by the United Way of York County, outside of our School-Based Health Center at Hannah Penn K-8 School.  The library will include books by diverse authors and about diverse cultures.   Through this effort, we will encourage and promote some of our youngest learners to remain curious about themselves, others and the world around them and pave the way for a healthier next generation.

Jenny Englerth is CEO of Family First Health.

“It’s supply and demand, so a lot of manufactures of these rapid test kits are experiencing a high need and they’re just not able to produce them at the rate they’re needed right now,” says Erin Schmidt of Family First Health.

Schmidt recommends patients find other alternatives such as the PCR test.

“You can get a PCR Test from your doctors office, yes it takes a couple of days so just planning ahead,” she said.

Family First Health is offering free rapid testing across Central Pennsylvania and no appointment is necessary.

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By Katia Parks; York Daily Record

The governor of Pennsylvania stopped by the bodega at Pine and Princess to encourage people to use the vaccination clinic planned there this week.

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Governor Tom Wolf today visited Rivas Deli Grocery II in York, an upcoming COVID-19 vaccine site, to encourage eligible Pennsylvanians who are not yet vaccinated to take advantage of their local community vaccine clinics.

“For people with irregular or unpredictable work hours, limited mobility, language barriers, and other challenges, hosting vaccine clinics where and when people shop for groceries is an excellent opportunity for vulnerable populations to get vaccinated,” said Gov. Wolf. “This upcoming clinic is a great example of how trusted community leaders and organizations can make a difference when they get involved in the vaccination effort.”

On Thursday, September 23, COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered by Family First Health from 12pm – 4pm at Rivas Deli Grocery II, 174 S. Pine St. York, PA 17403.

By Alex Fregger/Nick Vitto, Fox 43

Fox 43 talks with our COVID-19 Community Program Manager, Erin Schmidt, about the COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinic in partnership with Martin Library and our goal of bringing COVID-19 vaccines into our communities.

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NBT highlights the recent partnership between Bailey Family of Companies and Family First Health for their mobile COVID-19 testing and vaccination vehicle.

“The companies partnered together to retrofit and design an easily transportable trailer for mobile Covid-19 testing and vaccinations. The two companies joined together to reach out to the community at large and help make Covid-19 testing and vaccinations more readily accessible in marginalized areas in York and Adams counties.”

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By Samantha York, CBS 21

CBS 21 talks with Family First Health President & CEO, Jenny Englerth, about the possibility of a need for a COVID booster shot, and how Family First Health is feeling better prepared than earlier this year.

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