As Black families across the nation continue to face many challenges, the Claudia Faye Foundation hopes to transform barriers into opportunities with a town hall meeting in Dallas titled “State of the Black Family”.

This free event is designed for a community discussion on connecting the missing link between a good job, a happy family and a better life.

“Each of us has a gift, one that we can leverage and turn it into something meaningful if we just apply ourselves,” said Larry Washington, founder of the Claudia Faye Foundation. “’State of the Black Family’ is designed for the men, women and children of our community to teach them ways to help themselves at home, at their job and within their community.”

“State of the Black Family” will feature renowned special guests Dr. Na’im Akbar, one of the world’s preeminent psychologists; Karen Hunter, publisher and MSNBC contributor; Arthur Muhammad, director of Black Angels; Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson of Highland Hills United Methodist Church; as well as other local community leaders and officials.

Prior to the general community town hall meeting, professionals may attend a special session for continuing education units (CEU) credits. The CEUs available at the free professional session are ideal for probation officers, social workers, counselors, and domestic violence workers. Professionals are urged to RSVP in advance for the CEU session.

“It’s important that general community members attend this powerful town hall meeting, but also important for leaders and professionals who help shape the minds and direct individuals down a meaningful path in life,” Washington said.

“State of the Black Family” will be held on June 11, 2010 at Highland Hills United Methodist Church (6006 Flagstaff Dr.). A special session for professionals for CEU credits will begin at 4 p.m. The general community session begins promptly at 6 p.m. with a book signing by Karen Hunter following at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the town hall meeting or details and to RSVP for CEU credits, please call 972-780-5160.

As the healthcare debate remains a top concern for state and federal lawmakers, rural hospitals across Texas continue to struggle to provide much needed healthcare to the people of their community.

Between 1987 and 1993, Texas led the nation in hospital closures by nearly 20 percent. Many of the hospitals were in rural areas and closed because of low patient volumes and insufficient reimbursement from the government. Today, access to rural healthcare continues to be a challenge.

“Illness knows no boundaries. Healthcare shouldn’t either,” said David Pearson, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH). “Rural communities should have the access to the highest quality healthcare as those in larger metropolitan areas. We need to do what we can to ensure this is possible.”

It was for the reason of hospital closures in the late 80s and early 90s that TORCH was founded 20 years ago. As a nonprofit organization, TORCH serves as an advocate for rural and community hospitals in Texas. The organization also serves as a leader in information technology and provides interim management and recruitment services for member hospitals.

“TORCH understands the challenges hospitals in these areas face, and represents them through political reform on state and federal levels,” Pearson said. “With more than half of the state medically underserved, we must do what we can to ensure rural and community hospitals keep their doors open and make way for new hospital districts in the areas that need them most.”

Moving forward, TORCH remains committed to successfully helping hospitals through challenges such as healthcare reform—on both state and federal levels. The adoption of health information technology continues to remain a priority as well, but successfully purchasing and installing these systems isn’t without great financial roadblocks.

“Rural and community hospitals continue to face on-going challenges, especially in workforce and infrastructure,” Pearson explained. “Without proper advocacy and support for them, they will not have the ability to serve their patients—which is already the huge challenge.”

TORCH is the only organization in the nation dedicated to assisting general acute care hospitals of 150 beds and less by addressing the issues unique to rural and community hospitals. Founded in 1990, the Austin, Texas-based organization provides legislative and regulatory advocacy, specialized programs, publications, services and resources for members. For more information feel free to ask me, or visit www.torchnet.org.