CHFS Community Podcast

I never tire of interviewing Cabinet employees who worked their way into management through sheer effort and determination. Sapna Sairajeev is one of those people; she began her career at the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) provider enrollment call center. Eleven years later, she manages the Provider Licensing and Certification Branch at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Although her branch supports the provider community, Sairajeev said she was powerfully influenced early on by phone calls from mothers seeking surgery for their children, wives needing cancer medication for their husbands and others seeking medical assistance. Her team still gets calls from Medicaid members and Sairajeev’s greatest satisfaction comes from ensuring that providers are enrolled in a timely manner and in accordance with state and federal regulations, thus enabling them to provide the level of care needed for our members. I know many of our listeners are as grateful as I am to be able to show up every day in support of the health and well-being of all Kentuckians. Please enjoy our conversation, and thank you for supporting CHFS Community.

Part of our mission at CHFS is to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Kentuckians. For this reason, kynect resources was created as a one-stop-shop to reduce barriers for applicants while promoting a holistic approach to service for community partners.

Seth Butt is with the OATS Division of Eligibility Systems (DES), and part of the award-winning team that created kynect resources. In today’s episode, he describes why collaborating with a variety of organizations was essential in building a network of support to complement the services CHFS provides.

Accessible, affordable health care is a basic human right that everyone deserves. Thanks to OATS and our partners, we are committed to the health and well-being of this state. Over 4,000 referrals per month shows that kynect resources is working to keep Kentuckians safe, healthy and happy.

February is American Heart Month, and a good time to focus on improving cardiovascular health. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program works in partnership with the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force to address strategies and transform our state's cardiovascular health approaches and practices. David Davis is the communications coordinator for the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program within DPH. In this episode, we discuss positive lifestyle changes that can help prevent and manage high blood pressure. Davis also shares how running helps him manage stress and improve sleep. Hopefully, this conversation will inspire us all to set healthy goals for 2022.  

In October 2021, the “Kentucky State Plan on Aging” was approved by the federal government with a mission to promote the welfare, dignity, and independence of older adults, individuals with physical disabilities, and adults in need of a guardian. Gov. Beshear has designated the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) as the State Unit on Aging.

Whether it’s equity, food insecurity or caregiver support: CHFS is committed to serving Kentuckians across the commonwealth. We are proud to have delivered over six million meals since the COVID-19 pandemic. This and future accomplishments require community partnerships and lots of creativity. In this episode, DAIL Commissioner Victoria Elridge and I discuss the beauty of human potential, the power of resilience, and how we’ll lead with vision, compassion and community support in 2022.

Astrud Masterson is executive director of the Office of Administrative Services (OAS). She grew up in Louisville and graduated from Georgetown College. In today’s episode, we discuss how OAS touches all CHFS agencies in one way or another.

When COVID-19 hit, OAS was in the heat of contract season. Masterson shares how she led her team through uncertain times by making communication a priority. She praises OAS for pulling together and learning new technology, which saved endless hours of paperwork.

Between facilities management, general accounting, and procurement, OAS provides crucial support in helping Kentuckians reach their full human potential. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Astrud, and develop a greater appreciation for the work she does at OAS.

Lala Williams is Deputy Commissioner for the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), and on this episode we discuss her journey from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, to East St. Louis, Chicago, and finally back to her hometown. Along the way, Williams acquired an MS in public administration and policy as well as a unique perspective that she brings to the Cabinet. 

Welcome everyone, to CHFS Community. Today’s guest is Dr. Kelly Giesbrecht, our state public health veterinarian. She has a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Florida and a masters of public health from the University of Texas. After clinical practice, she spent 11 years in the U.S. Air Force as a public health officer and most recently worked at the Northern Kentucky Health Department as a regional epidemiologist. This episode is perfectly timed for Halloween because we discuss bat invasions, dead rabbits in trees and a human bone house; as well as spooky diseases like rabies and tularemia. We also talk about happy things like tulips, family fur babies and why pets are good for the soul. Enjoy our discussion, and don’t forget to stay safe this Halloween!

Melissa Goins is Director of the Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) at CHFS. Raised in a tradition of public service, Goins’ parents worked in social services, education and the court system while managing a family farm in Harrison County. Goins and her sister worked side-by-side with their parents and members of their small community, which taught her the value of a job well done. She also learned the importance of obtaining an education, when neighbors showed up at the house to request her dad's help reading their utility bills. Goins says FRYSC cannot take away all risks for children, but 'it can provide support that protects them along the way.' I am grateful for all the FRYSC folks, who do a tremendous job removing non-academic barriers to learning in order to enhance student academic success.

Shelly Canada is responsible for communications and outreach for the Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program within the Department for Public Health. A widow with two adult children and three grandsons, Canada has a true passion for public health and keeping Kentuckians educated and safe. She began working for the state health department in 2011 where she has held positions in Education and Workforce Development, Chronic Disease Prevention, and as the Community Health Action Team’s Program Manager and Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant Coordinator. Canada has also been very involved in DPH’s accreditation and quality improvement efforts. We are here today to talk about EPHT, Kentucky’s one-stop shop for Kentucky specific health and environmental data and the upcoming Children’s Environmental Health Summit. If you are looking for data for grants, research, term papers or just curious about the health and environmental conditions in your community, visit EnviroHealthLink.org.

Mary Mosley, M.Ed., LCADC is the program administrator in the Adult Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Service Branch at DBHDID. On today’s edition of CHFS Community we discuss exploration – from the trees and trails of Pine Mountain to the deep introspection necessary to overcome setbacks and inspire others to become more resilient.

Mosley’s personal and professional life is dedicated to helping women and children across Kentucky heal from the effects of substance use disorder. We agree that there’s no darker place than the absence of hope, yet hope and help are always present if we don’t give up. CHFS employees will find inspiration in Mary’s journey and in our conversation about service, compassion, and commitment.