Welcome to TimeBanks USA Regional Training Activating Community Members for Better Health Through TimeBanking May 18-19, 2012 TimeBanks USA Regional Training Activating Community Members for Better Health Through TimeBanking May 18-19, 2012

The greatest untapped resource for improving health and social well being is the knowledge, wisdom, and energy of individuals, families, and communities who face challenging issues in their everyday lives.

Activating Community for Better Health through TimeBanking Community Exchange TimeBank (A community engagement and activation tool developed within the Department of Community Health & Health Studies funded and supported through the vision of the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust) Community Exchange TimeBank (A community engagement and activation tool developed within the Department of Community Health & Health Studies funded and supported through the vision of the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust)

Overview Community Exchange is an innovative non-clinical initiative of Lehigh Valley Health Network's Department of Community Health & Health Studies that explores ways to create interdependence between Lehigh Valley Health Network and diverse community members by creating win-win partnerships.

History Community Exchange began in October The founding collaborators explored methods to engage isolated, low income, disenfranchised people to improve their opportunities for social interaction and therefore improve their overall health. Time banking was selected as the tool to make this happen. Community Exchange commenced with approximately 30 members, primarily seniors.

And today... ■ Over 600 diverse community members ■ 20 organizational partners ■ Offering over 300 unique services ■ Exchanging approximately 10,000 hours of service yearly ■ Over 600 diverse community members ■ 20 organizational partners ■ Offering over 300 unique services ■ Exchanging approximately 10,000 hours of service yearly

Two published papers on community building and positive health outcomes ■ Letcher A, Perlow K. (2009) Community-Based Participatory Research Shows How a Community Initiative Creates Networks to Improve Well- Being. American Journal of Preventative Medicine. ■ Lasker J, Collum E, Bealer T, Niclaus E, Young Keefe J, Kratzer Z, Baldasari L, Kramer E, Mandeville R, Schulman J, Suchow D, Letcher A, Rogers A, Perlow K. (2010) Time Banking and Health: The Role of a Community Currency in Enhancing Well-Being. Health Promotion Practice. ■ Letcher A, Perlow K. (2009) Community-Based Participatory Research Shows How a Community Initiative Creates Networks to Improve Well- Being. American Journal of Preventative Medicine. ■ Lasker J, Collum E, Bealer T, Niclaus E, Young Keefe J, Kratzer Z, Baldasari L, Kramer E, Mandeville R, Schulman J, Suchow D, Letcher A, Rogers A, Perlow K. (2010) Time Banking and Health: The Role of a Community Currency in Enhancing Well-Being. Health Promotion Practice.

How does this work? Community Exchange TimeBank provides infrastructure to empower people to help where they are needed... and to get help when they need it... within the communities where they live, work, and play.

How is this different than volunteering at LVHN? ■ Traditionally, hospitals use volunteers to support hospital-based care. ■ Most volunteer models are one-way charity-based models. (Volunteers give time.) ■ Traditionally, hospitals use volunteers to support hospital-based care. ■ Most volunteer models are one-way charity-based models. (Volunteers give time.) H Community members provide time to the hospital

■ Time banking is a reciprocal model. (Volunteers both give and receive time.) ■ People joining Community Exchange add the kind of help (skills, talent, services) they are willing to offer to the community. Like assets into a bank! ■ Members needing help are usually able to find help from other members. Like a withdrawal from a bank! ■ Everyone’s time is valued equally. One hour = one time credit. ■ Most services provided occur in the communities where we live, work, and play. ■ Time banking is a reciprocal model. (Volunteers both give and receive time.) ■ People joining Community Exchange add the kind of help (skills, talent, services) they are willing to offer to the community. Like assets into a bank! ■ Members needing help are usually able to find help from other members. Like a withdrawal from a bank! ■ Everyone’s time is valued equally. One hour = one time credit. ■ Most services provided occur in the communities where we live, work, and play.

In the Beginning... The issue for intervention was social isolation in seniors.

Organically, other issues emerged... transportation, language barriers, other gaps between medical and social services that can be provided by caring community friends. And we learned that it was not only seniors in our community who were isolated. Organically, other issues emerged... transportation, language barriers, other gaps between medical and social services that can be provided by caring community friends. And we learned that it was not only seniors in our community who were isolated.

Community Exchange Initiatives that Engage and Activate Patients & Community Ongoing and Evolving: ■ Community Exchange TimeBank “Neighbor to Neighbor” Network ■ Wheel Time Medical Transportation ■ Las Palabras (“The Words”) Community Medical Interpreters ■ Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Workshops led by community lay leaders Ongoing and Evolving: ■ Community Exchange TimeBank “Neighbor to Neighbor” Network ■ Wheel Time Medical Transportation ■ Las Palabras (“The Words”) Community Medical Interpreters ■ Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Workshops led by community lay leaders

Community Exchange Initiatives that Engage and Activate Patients & Community (Cont’d) In Development: ■ Neighbor-to-Neighbor Care Teams (process development for and then implementation of community support teams for patients who need support – collaboration with OACIS, NCCCP, other practices serving the most vulnerable patients) In Development: ■ Neighbor-to-Neighbor Care Teams (process development for and then implementation of community support teams for patients who need support – collaboration with OACIS, NCCCP, other practices serving the most vulnerable patients)

Community Exchange Initiatives that Engage and Activate Patients & Community (Cont’d) New: ■ Citizen Health Care – Patient/Provider Created Chronic Pain Project (CBPR with community leader development) ■ Developing a Practice Advisory Council to Empower Patient/Family Leaders, Enhance Patient- and Family-Centeredness, and Improve Quality of Care New: ■ Citizen Health Care – Patient/Provider Created Chronic Pain Project (CBPR with community leader development) ■ Developing a Practice Advisory Council to Empower Patient/Family Leaders, Enhance Patient- and Family-Centeredness, and Improve Quality of Care

Some Examples:

Ellen’s Story Community Exchange member Ellen is approximately 55 years old with complex health issues. She lives alone on limited income and has no family nearby. No longer able to drive, Ellen was becoming isolated. She needs dialysis three times per week. Community Exchange members Dan, Julie, Donnie, and Ray earn Time$ providing rides to Ellen. Ellen is an AMAZING baker, she earns time by baking beautiful cookies for holidays and special occasions. Recently, Ellen had toes amputated at LVH-CC. When she was ready for inpatient rehabilitation at TSU at 17 th Street, it was suggested that she be transported by ambulance. Ellen knew she could not afford her part of the ambulance ride. She called Julie who picked her up at Cedar Crest and dropped her at 17 th Street for Time $s and a little gas money. Ellen’s drivers have become her friends, people she feels she can call for help even in the middle of the night. Sometimes her drivers donate their Time$ back to Ellen so she is sure to have enough credits to get to appointments and to get some help cleaning up around her house. Ellen is planning a kiffel class and awaiting a transplant. Community Exchange member Ellen is approximately 55 years old with complex health issues. She lives alone on limited income and has no family nearby. No longer able to drive, Ellen was becoming isolated. She needs dialysis three times per week. Community Exchange members Dan, Julie, Donnie, and Ray earn Time$ providing rides to Ellen. Ellen is an AMAZING baker, she earns time by baking beautiful cookies for holidays and special occasions. Recently, Ellen had toes amputated at LVH-CC. When she was ready for inpatient rehabilitation at TSU at 17 th Street, it was suggested that she be transported by ambulance. Ellen knew she could not afford her part of the ambulance ride. She called Julie who picked her up at Cedar Crest and dropped her at 17 th Street for Time $s and a little gas money. Ellen’s drivers have become her friends, people she feels she can call for help even in the middle of the night. Sometimes her drivers donate their Time$ back to Ellen so she is sure to have enough credits to get to appointments and to get some help cleaning up around her house. Ellen is planning a kiffel class and awaiting a transplant.

Mr. P and Mr. C We know Mr. P from LVPP and from OACIS connections. He is another community member with complex acute illness, no transportation, no family connections, and no income. A young man, (a refugee who is new to the US), C, who came to Community Exchange through Wally at LVFHC earns time transporting Mr. P to appointments at 17 th Street. C uses his Time$ to visit a chiropractor who accepts Time$ and to train as a community medical interpreter with our network. We know Mr. P from LVPP and from OACIS connections. He is another community member with complex acute illness, no transportation, no family connections, and no income. A young man, (a refugee who is new to the US), C, who came to Community Exchange through Wally at LVFHC earns time transporting Mr. P to appointments at 17 th Street. C uses his Time$ to visit a chiropractor who accepts Time$ and to train as a community medical interpreter with our network.

Sonya’s Story Sonya has been a member of Community Exchange for 8 years. In her first 7 and half years, Sonya was more comfortable in a “helper” role. She earned time and made connections as an event planner and workshop leader. It was difficult for us to get Sonya to ask for anything for herself. Six months ago, Sonya was diagnosed with ALS. Sonya is now using her time for rides, for help around her house, and for grocery pickups and deliveries. She is working with a Community Exchange member, who is also a minister, to plan and then officiate at her funeral. It’s difficult for Sonya to leave her home now, but she is using her Community Exchange friends to fill her roles at community events…and to report back. Sonya has been a member of Community Exchange for 8 years. In her first 7 and half years, Sonya was more comfortable in a “helper” role. She earned time and made connections as an event planner and workshop leader. It was difficult for us to get Sonya to ask for anything for herself. Six months ago, Sonya was diagnosed with ALS. Sonya is now using her time for rides, for help around her house, and for grocery pickups and deliveries. She is working with a Community Exchange member, who is also a minister, to plan and then officiate at her funeral. It’s difficult for Sonya to leave her home now, but she is using her Community Exchange friends to fill her roles at community events…and to report back.

Carmen’s Story Carmen is a Community Exchange member who speaks English and Spanish. She was born in Equador and trained/worked as a teacher in Equador. She has been in Allentown for around two years doing cleaning in a nursing home. Because she speaks both English and Spanish, she is often used as an interpreter by people in her neighborhood and in the nursing home, but she had no interpreter training. She is interested in helping our community and her passion and talent are communication. Carmen used 46 Time$s to train with LVHN Interpreter Services as a community interpreter. (A credential she is able to add to her resume.) Carmen earns Time$s interpreting at LVHN’s Transplant Center. She also drives Spanish-speaking patients for appointments at our cancer center. She has recently started working as part of an N2N care team. Carmen is a Community Exchange member who speaks English and Spanish. She was born in Equador and trained/worked as a teacher in Equador. She has been in Allentown for around two years doing cleaning in a nursing home. Because she speaks both English and Spanish, she is often used as an interpreter by people in her neighborhood and in the nursing home, but she had no interpreter training. She is interested in helping our community and her passion and talent are communication. Carmen used 46 Time$s to train with LVHN Interpreter Services as a community interpreter. (A credential she is able to add to her resume.) Carmen earns Time$s interpreting at LVHN’s Transplant Center. She also drives Spanish-speaking patients for appointments at our cancer center. She has recently started working as part of an N2N care team.

Marta’s Story Marta came to Community Exchange as a patient with cancer served through NCCCP. She received rides through Community Exchange’s WheelTime initiative. Marta is now feeling better, able to drive, and wants to offer rides for cancer patients who need them. (She is also able to speak Spanish.) Marta came to Community Exchange as a patient with cancer served through NCCCP. She received rides through Community Exchange’s WheelTime initiative. Marta is now feeling better, able to drive, and wants to offer rides for cancer patients who need them. (She is also able to speak Spanish.)

Time Banking in Health Care Lessons Learned ■ Fills gaps in the continuum of care that keep people healthier in their homes ■ Stretches LVHN resources ■ Builds relationships that create a trusted community presence ■ Builds on existing literature related to the “Helping/Health” connection ■ Changes Paradigms ■ Fills gaps in the continuum of care that keep people healthier in their homes ■ Stretches LVHN resources ■ Builds relationships that create a trusted community presence ■ Builds on existing literature related to the “Helping/Health” connection ■ Changes Paradigms

Questions?