Rural Health Symposium 2025

The Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) is an integrated healthcare approach where primary care providers, care managers, and mental health specialists work together as a team to deliver comprehensive care for patients with mental health needs, utilizing evidence-based practices, regular symptom monitoring, and patient-centered decision making to optimize outcomes; essentially, it's not just about referring patients to mental health professionals, but actively collaborating to manage their mental health within the primary care setting.

Learn About the Collaborative Care Model, APA
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests/integrated-care/learn

The Collaborative Care Model: Key Learnings for Implementation
https://greenspacehealth.com/en-us/the-collaborative-care-model-key-learnings-for-implementation/#:~:text=The%20Collaborative%20Care%20Model%20(CoCM,and%20reducing%20overall%20healthcare%20costs.

The Collaborative Care Model and Integrated Care: 7 Things to Know
https://blog.proemhealth.com/the-collaborative-care-model-and-integrated-care-7-things-to-know

Understanding collaborative care implementation in the Department of Veterans Affairs: core functions and implementation
https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-017-2601-9

What Is a Collaborative Care Model, and How Does It Improve Patient Outcomes?
https://meridianhealthcare.net/what-is-a-collaborative-care-model-and-how-does-it-improve-patient-outcomes/

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are used in many products and can be found in the environment. They are persistent, meaning they break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment. 

What are PFAS and where can they be found?

• PFAS are used in many products, including food packaging, cookware, and rainproof gear 
• They can be found in water, soil, air, and food 
• PFAS can enter the food supply through contaminated crops, animals, and food packaging 

How can people be exposed to PFAS? Drinking contaminated water, Consuming contaminated food, Breathing air containing PFAS, and Using products made with PFAS. 

What are the health effects of PFAS? 

• PFAS can affect the liver and thyroid hormone
• They can increase the risk of some cancers
• They can increase cholesterol levels
• They can decrease the body's response to vaccines
• They can increase the risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
• They can lower infant birth weights

How can you reduce exposure to PFAS? 

• Wet dust and mop to remove household dust
• Use safer alternatives to nonstick cookware, like iron or stainless steel
• Check local advisories for fish, wildlife, meat, and dairy

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are used in many products and can be found in the environment. They are persistent, meaning they break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment. 

What are PFAS and where can they be found?

• PFAS are used in many products, including food packaging, cookware, and rainproof gear 
• They can be found in water, soil, air, and food 
• PFAS can enter the food supply through contaminated crops, animals, and food packaging 

How can people be exposed to PFAS? Drinking contaminated water, Consuming contaminated food, Breathing air containing PFAS, and Using products made with PFAS. 

What are the health effects of PFAS? 

• PFAS can affect the liver and thyroid hormone
• They can increase the risk of some cancers
• They can increase cholesterol levels
• They can decrease the body's response to vaccines
• They can increase the risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
• They can lower infant birth weights

How can you reduce exposure to PFAS? 

• Wet dust and mop to remove household dust
• Use safer alternatives to nonstick cookware, like iron or stainless steel
• Check local advisories for fish, wildlife, meat, and dairy

An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/em/d0em00291g

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), US Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc

PFAS Explained, EPA
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained

Understanding PFAS, NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/key-issues/emerging-compounds/understanding-pfas
 

How the Community Can Extend Veteran Support. Support services for veteran families are also key to a successful transition. A supportive community can contribute in numerous ways: Hosting community events: Community-based events allow veterans to share their experiences and create bonds with fellow community members.

The Importance of Community Support for Veterans, National Veterans Homeless Support
https://nvhs.org/the-importance-of-community-support-for-veterans/#:~:text=How%20the%20Community%20Can%20Extend,bonds%20with%20fellow%20community%20members.

Using Veterans Socials to Build a Community: Feasibility of the VOICES Intervention
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9077030/

VA COMMUNITY PLAYBOOK, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
https://department.va.gov/veterans-experience/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Community-Playbook_update_508_FINAL.pdf

Veterans Socials, Mental Health, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/socials/

When Veterans Return: The Role of Community in Reintegration, Syracuse University
https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/article/when-veterans-return-the-role-of-community-in-reintegration/