Health & Human Services Celebrates Women's History Month 2022

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes the invaluable contributions women have made to public health and the safety of communities across the globe. Women have integrated into every level of the medical system, asserting influence in health care policy, health care practice, delivery of services, advocacy efforts, and research, to name just a few. The legacy of incredible women who were committed to leaving their mark on our society has inspired generations of women to follow in their footsteps, resulting in a more diverse and comprehensive set of health care services. Thanks to the women throughout history who paved the way for essential public health services like the BCCCP (Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), NFP (Nurse-Family Partnership), and Breastfeeding Support, thousands of female-identifying individuals can get the health care and support they need.

The theme for Women’s History Month this year is Providing Healing and Promoting Hope, two cornerstones of Buncombe County HHS’s service delivery model. Here are a few stories from the women on our staff who make history every day by providing healing and promoting hope to residents who need it most.

Each mother served by Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) gets partnered with a registered nurse early in their pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday. NFP went virtual during COVID-19, a small change compared to the chaos of the pandemic “COVID-19 was challenging for everyone”, says Connie Toscano, supervisor for Buncombe County’s NFP program. Connie continues, “One client, in particular, experienced significant hardship as a result of the pandemic. As a non-English speaker, Asheville had already felt isolating. As soon as the pandemic hit, however, her husband had to move out of state for work, leaving her alone, to care for their two kids and a mother-in-law”. Her virtual NFP visits were a lifeline during this time of uncertainty. She and her nurse had long conversations about her needs, first among them being a safe place for her children to live and play. NFP connected her to Habitat for Humanity, and thus began her investment of over 200 hours of work both at their store and at her new home site. Thanks to the NFP program, this client was able to secure safe housing for her family and continues to work towards her goals in partnership with her nurse.

Connie Toscano, BSN, RN
Nurse-Family Partnership

Social Workers show up to provide healing and promote health for our community every day. Vanessa’s story is a prime example of the transformative impact a social worker can have on the life of a client. Vanessa entered the foster care system at 15 and graduated to extended foster care at 18. Extend foster care is a supportive service for young adults who have aged out of foster care. This program is available until the young adult is 21 and provides direct engagement that focuses on developing life skills and independent living. Vanessa took advantage of the services that were available to her throughout her time in extended foster care, leaning on her social worker, Kat Strachota. “Vanessa would call me to talk about what she wanted to do and how she could do it,” Kat remembers. “We would work through her goals and figure out a plan of action together.” Now Vanessa is 20 years old and has a full-time job as a community health worker. She feels grateful to have had the support and love of her social worker over the past few years. “Being in foster care taught me that I don’t have to do everything alone”, Vanessa says. And she is right, Kat was there to support her and cheer her on every step of the way.

Extended Foster Care Program
Buncombe County Health and Human Services

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, otherwise known as WIC, provides services to women and their children up to age 5.  It is the Buncombe County WIC Programs’ honor to serve women and their families during Women’s History Month and all year long! WIC provides one-on-one counseling, breastfeeding support, referrals to other services, and an array of healthy foods for families.  Additionally, WIC staff consistently provides care and compassion to their clients in an open and friendly environment.  Our goal is to understand what a family truly wants and needs, not just nutritionally, but overall.

Recently, WIC received a Thank You card from a mom that exemplifies how the program offers help and provides hope.  This is what it said:

“THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart for your support.  My 8-month-old and I would not have gotten this far on our exclusively pumping journey had we not had the support of your amazing team and the breast pump you provided.  None of this is how I saw our feeding journey going and there is a lot of emotion around all of it.  Because of your support, my baby was able to drink breastmilk instead of formula and I am comforted to know that many more birthers and babies will benefit from this program in the future. Thank you all for this and for all the incredible work you do.”

Melinda Robinson and Team
Buncombe County WIC

The Buncombe County Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) always tries to remind and encourage women to make time to for themselves and their health, especially during Women’s History Month. So often the women we see in BCCCP are caregivers to children, grandchildren, aging parents, disabled family members, etc. They are constantly putting the needs of their loved ones before their own. Through case management and Wisewoman health coaching, we give resources for women to take better care of themselves and their families. We connect them to partner agencies if they need it, like the family justice center, Quitline NC, food pantries, and even urgent follow-up visits with their primary care providers when abnormally high values are found in their blood pressure or lab results. Our services and advocacy efforts provide a sense of hope and healing for every incredible woman we get to serve.

Larissa Salazar
Buncombe County BCCCP