(Sharing 4/13/2026) Biweekly CHW Message: Step Up during Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Mea culpa: I misread my calendar before the last email and didn't include National Public Health Week, public health's biggest celebration of the year. Apologies, and hope folks were able to discover and enjoy the many, many happenings throughout the area.
Meanwhile, April is also Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, so let's look at ways to prevent assaults and support survivors.
Step Up during Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
Chances are that you know a sexual assault survivor, since more than 1 in 4 women (and 1 in 25 men) will experience sexual assault, usually by someone they know. Health impacts include high blood pressure, difficulty sleeping and chronic pain. (Data: CDC NISVS)
Prevention Is Possible
Teach and learn about consent and bystander intervention. You could even book a free Rape Crisis Center training for your team: Catalog
Fiesta safely please. Alcohol and other substance use is a major risk factor, for both perpetrators and victims. Sober or not, perpetrators remain morally and legally responsible for their actions, and survivors deserve support and not blame.
Support Is Essential
All San Antonio hospitals now offer forensic exams through their emergency departments. The attached English and Spanish brochures explain a forensic exam. For child sexual abuse, use Christus Children's Center for Miracles.
All hospitals also offer STI testing/treatment to victims, but only some give emergency contraception. Survivors can buy the morning-after pill without a prescription for as little as $13, and get it FREE here while supplies last. Learn about types of emergency contraception here.
Our fantastic local Rape Crisis Center offers a 24-7 hotline (210-349-7273) and free counseling to survivors, regardless of how long ago the assault happened.
The national hotline, RAINN, is available 24/7 by phone, text and WhatsApp.
For Department of Defense community members, Safe Helpline is 100% anonymous. Check out their free, quick module on How to Support a Survivor.
Telling a survivor "I believe you" can mean the world.
Free Self-Paced CHW Trainings Online
With CE, from the New England Public Health Training Center:
Without CE
Clinical Trials 101: An Advocacy-Focused Curriculum for Community Health Workers (2 hours, certificate, North Carolina Community Health Center Association)
Keeping Kids Safe in & Around Cars covers heat, backovers, frontovers, floodwaters and more. (45 mins, certificate, Kids & Car Safety)
Trauma Informed Conversations (1 hour, certificate, New England Public Health Training Center)
Introduction to Strengths-Based Services (1 hour, certificate, Switchboard)
Update: Preventable Infections
RSV season usually cools by March, but spiked higher than usual this year and therefore is taking longer to end. What it means for us: Continue to have conversations about RSV symptoms and shots with expecting parents who are close to delivery.
Utah is still mid-measles. Since my last update, the U.S. added 139 cases for a total of 1,714 in 2026, with 0 deaths. Mexico has had 9.149 cases and 9 deaths this year.
Vaccination remains the most effective protection. Vaccine programs for uninsured adults and uninsured/underinsured children are explained here.
To answer questions about measles vaccines for special populations, Migrant Clinicians' Network made the attached flyer. (I'll nitpick their recommendation for healthcare workers: The 1-2 extra doses apply only during outbreaks.)
Texas respiratory virus levels are Very Low. In Bexar County, flu levels are Low and falling.
Data dashboards: CDC | Metro Health | DSHS | TexWEB wastewater | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater
Navigation Resources of the Week
· To help people understand the new SNAP restrictions, Feeding Texas made these flyers and social media posts.
· The drug rehab/sober housing industry is unfortunately plagued with scams and reports of abusive care. Reliable residential facilities won't offer gifts, free flights to out-of-state treatment, health insurance or money in exchange for enrolling. They won't recruit patients at homeless encampments, support group meetings or drug courts, and they won't be on this naughty list. If you're seeking or vetting a facility for a client, don't rely on search engine recommendations. Instead, try:
o National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism Treatment Navigator (not just for alcohol abuse -- the listed facilities treat multiple kinds of problems)
o To find an individual doctor: American Society of Addiction Medicine directory and for opioid use treatment, Buprenorphine Practiioner Locator
o You could also ask for recommendations from experts at Be Well Texas or the NAMI warmline (210-939-9999)
Questions That Can Help You Spot Scams
o 10 Questions to Ask Providers (good for any kind of treatment, not just for alcohol abuse)
o Do you use patient labor or work programs as part of treatment? If so, are people paid?
o How often do you use drug testing? Are patients or their insurance charged, and if so, how much?
o What are policies on communication with family and friends? (Be wary of facilities with total bans.)
o What is your dropout rate (and why)?
To file a complaint against a facility licensed by the state, call 1-800-458-9858, Option 1, or visit https://www.hhs.texas.gov/contact/complaints-appeals/complaint-incident-intake.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Attached: Mini-grant opportunity from the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. Apply by May 4.
Apr. 13 & 20, noon-1 PM, first two sessions of South Texas AHEC's Lunch and Learn series on parenting teenagers. CHW CEs available. Register
Apr. 14, 1 PM-2 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.
Apr. 14, 8 AM-1 PM, mammogram bus, food, clothing, diapers and more at West Avenue Compassion, 10715 West Avenue (78213)
Apr. 15, 1 PM-4 PM, Second Chance Job Fair at Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston (78219). Register by Apr. 14, see attached flyer
Apr. 15, 3 PM-6 PM, Fiesta de Salud, no-cost STI testing & health screening, vaccines, light snacks, Fiesta medals, games and prizes while supplies last, Crockett Park, 1300 N. Main (78212).
Apr. 15, 9 AM-11 AM, flu and COVID vaccines at Ventanillas de Salud, Mexican Consulate, 127 Navarro St. (78205)
Apr. 15, 6 PM-7 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.
Apr. 16, 2 PM-3 PM, Corazon Ministries mobile medical unit will offer wound care, glucose tests, STI testing, harm reduction services and more at the Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Info
Apr. 16. 9 AM-noon, children's vaccines from Christus Mobile Clinic and Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Northern Hills Ministry Ctr, 4306 Naco Pass (78217). Appointment required, call or text 210-954-3764.
Apr. 16, 3 PM-4 PM, online QPR suicide prevention training from SACADA. Register
Apr. 17, noon-1 PM, Communicating with Confianza health literacy ECHO. This week's topic: Advocating for Health Literacy. Learn more and register
Apr. 17 & 24, noon-3 PM, Yanawana Herbolarios People's Clinic, Maverick Park, 1000 Broadway (78215). More info
Apr. 18, 8 AM-10 AM, Men's Mental Health Breakfast from Sinclairity Consulting, 10843 Gulfdale Street (78216). Details
Apr. 20, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at the YWCA, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199
Apr. 21, 11 AM-noon, CHW Strategies for Tobacco Use: Supporting Recovery and Maternal Health, from the American Cancer Society & Michigan CHW Association. Virtual. Register
Apr. 21, 1 PM-2 PM, 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers, from WellMed, at the Pan American Library, 1122 W. Pyron (78221). Registration required
Apr.. 22, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4114 SW Loop 410 (78227), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199
Apr. 22, 11 AM-noon, Carelink education session at UH Vida, 3611 Jaguar Parkway (78224). Info and registration link
Apr. 23, 9 AM-1 PM, Senior Fiesta, including a health resource fair, Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd., 78201. Info
Apr. 23, 9 AM-2 PM, mammograms at Empower House, 847 E. Drexel (78210). Sign up
Apr. 23, 8 AM-2 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Coker United Methodist Church, 14630 Wurzbach Pkwy (78216), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199
April 24: Happy CHW Advocacy Day! See the Governor's proclamation here
Apr. 25, 1 PM-4 PM, health fair for children with special needs, 4301 Broadway (78209).
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