LAKE COUNTY
Lake Couty Arts Council seeks experienced poetry teachers
The Lake County Arts Council, with support from the California Arts Council, is seeking experienced poetry teachers to teach 10 one-hour sessions in 11th grade high school classes in local Lake County High Schools. Classes will be held at Upper Lake High School, Kelseyville High School, and Lloyd P Hance Community The purpose of this program is to inspire students to pursue poetry and encourage them to participate in the Lake County Arts Council’s other literary arts programs, such as Poetry Out Loud and Youth Poet Laureate.
We are seeking poetry teachers who have a strong background in poetry, including historical knowledge and experience presenting different poetry styles. Additionally, teachers should be able to provide tips on how to compose one’s own poetry, as this program aims to help students develop their own poetic voices. Poetry teachers will also be helping students compile a portfolio and resume to aid in their post high school success.
Poetry teachers will be provided with a skeleton lesson plan, which they can personalize by incorporating their favorite poets, poems, and poetic preferences. We encourage our instructors to draw from their own experiences and interests in poetry to create an engaging and dynamic learning environment for our students.
As the program will take place on school grounds, Poet Teachers may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a background check. The Lake County Arts Council will provide guidance and payment for these fees as necessary.
In addition to developing lesson plans and materials for each session, Poet Teachers will be responsible for leading interactive activities and assignments to engage students with poetry. We are looking for dynamic and enthusiastic instructors who are passionate about sharing their love of poetry with the next generation of writers.
If you are a poetry teacher with experience in teaching and a passion for poetry, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people in our community. Teachers will be required to be fingerprinted and Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position, and samples of your artistic work to the Lake County Arts Council at apply@lakearts.org. All applications should be submitted by June 30, 2023.
The Lake County Arts Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.
—Submitted
WASHINGTON
Legislators introduce Telehealth Permanence Bill
On Thursday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Doris Matsui (CA-07), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Bill Johnson (OH-06), and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MI) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand telehealth access for millions of Americans on Medicare.
“Telehealth has become an essential part of our modern health care system because it provides vital access to medical professionals for millions of Americans across our country,” said Thompson. “In an increasingly modern era, telehealth puts care within reach for Medicare beneficiaries, from those living in rural communities to urban centers. The CONNECT for Health Act will provide Americans on Medicare with the peace of mind that telehealth will be covered by their benefits. I have long been a champion for telehealth, going back to my time in the State Senate, and I am proud to carry on the push for permanent telehealth.”
“The bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act ensures patients can efficiently and conveniently connect with their medical professionals,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Americans deserve access to innovative, affordable healthcare technologies like telehealth, when and where they need it most. We’ve made tremendous progress in recent years to advance remarkable health care technologies, and we must keep striving to break down barriers and reduce costs for patients. I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand and make this type of disruptive innovative technology permanent.”
“While telehealth use has skyrocketed these last few years, our laws have not kept up. Telehealth is helping people in every part of the country get the care they need, and it’s here to stay,” said Senator Schatz. “Our comprehensive bill makes it easier for more people to see their doctors no matter where they live.”
“Telehealth is a revolutionary development in health care delivery. The internet put communications and commerce in the palm of our hand, and it is now doing the same for health care,” said Senator Wicker. “After years of dedicated efforts, I am pleased to see the growing support for making flexibility in telehealth delivery permanent. The CONNECT for Health Act will move us toward Medicare beneficiaries receiving the healthcare they deserve.”
Rep. Thompson sponsored the legislation that expanded access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries for two years that was included in the omnibus package that passed in December.
The CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 would permanently expand access to telehealth services—ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive essential care.
- Telehealth utilization surged in 2020 when CMS waived many statutory restrictions on telehealth to ensure continued access to health care during the public health emergency.
- Recent reports find that older adults and individuals from underserved communities benefited the most from expanded telehealth access.
- Since 2021, Medicare beneficiaries’ telehealth utilization has stabilized at 15 percent, while overall health care use is level, indicating that telehealth often substitutes in-person care.
- With telehealth flexibilities set to expire at the end of 2024, beneficiaries will lose access to care due to statutory restrictions, including requirements that only permit beneficiaries to receive telehealth services if they are in rural areas and at certain clinical sites.
- Permanent changes to Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services are critical in order to protect access to care and fully integrate telehealth into care delivery.
—Submitted
