2025 Outreach And Enrollment Conference

Jennifer Zielinski, at the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition has worked to expand anti-trafficking efforts by providing direct victim assistance, educational trainings, and safe partner referrals for victims and survivors of human sex trafficking. Jennifer served on the Idaho Governor’s Human Trafficking Subcommittee that proposed two legislative bills relating to human trafficking, signed into law in 2019. In addition to her work for the Idaho Anti- Trafficking Coalition, Jennifer serves as the chair of the Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities, where she works alongside others to protect, promote, and advance the rights and interests of people with disabilities of all ages in Idaho. Jennifer has spent nearly 15 years working in the nonprofit sector. Her decision to join the fight against human trafficking was deeply personal—after witnessing systemic failures, barriers, and a lack of comprehensive care.

Human Trafficking in the Health Care Setting: Human trafficking is a crime that inflicts complex layers of trauma on victims and survivors. Participants of this training will learn the different forms of human trafficking and address the local problematic trends that have contributed to the economic, health, and safety risks of victims and survivors throughout Idaho. This training will explore the community-wide vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking and provide an overview of comprehensive strategies for identifying and responding to complex needs.

Learning Objectives - 1) To understand the definitions of human trafficking and how community and system-wide partnerships build effective local responses. 2) Understand the intersections of human trafficking with community-wide vulnerabilities. 3) To be familiar with victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches and strategies. 4) To understand how trauma impacts victims and survivors of human trafficking

Title of presentation: Say What? Helping Patients with Limited Health Literacy Navigate the Healthcare System

Bio: Barbara Gordon, EdD, RDN, FAND, is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who holds a Doctor of Education in Instructional Design from Idaho State University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.  Dr. Gordon is a Professor Emeritus at Idaho State University (ISU). She has two decades of hands-on experience training health professionals on communicating health education in plain language. For a decade, she oversaw the development of limited literacy health education materials for the National Institutes of Health. Experience also includes developing plain language training guides for community workers employed by the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association. For ISU, Dr. Gordon trained students studying to become dietitians on health literacy and strategies for working effectively with patients with limited literacy. Research interests include the impact of the social determinants of health on nutrition and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Barbara is the Grants Selection Chair and a Board member of the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation. In 2020, she was named Idaho Outstanding Dietitian of the Year. In 2025, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Session Description

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. For many patients—regardless of their years of formal schooling—health and medical terminology is a foreign language. This presentation will provide an overview of health literacy and an introduction to the challenges that individuals with limited literacy experience in the healthcare arena. Red flags to identify someone who may be struggling with health literacy will be offered. Plus, questions to ask a patient to help assess their health literacy level will be reviewed. Strategies for helping patients with limited health literacy navigate the healthcare system will be offered. Lastly, the Teach-Back method to assess a patient’s understanding of specific health information will be taught. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice techniques with a partner during the session.

Kelly Volkmann, MPH, Project Director of the Community Health Worker Institute for the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association. Ms. Volkmann is committed to advancing and advocating for Community Health Worker (CHW) programs in primary health care. Her work history includes providing direct care as a registered nurse in California and Oregon, and as a program manager for a robust team of CHWs at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Benton County, Oregon.

Ms. Volkmann’s experience working with CHWs, direct patient care, and public health has given her a deep appreciation of the unique qualities and value CHWs bring to healthcare systems, as well as the importance of building sustainable programs to support them.

Terrie is the Director of Product Implementation in the Complex Health Solutions department at CareSource. In 2016, Terrie joined CareSource as a Life Coach for the CareSource JobConnect program and in 2017, she moved into the Enterprise role to develop and implement programs for social determinants of health for CareSource members. Currently, she focuses on SDOH/HRSN screening, workforce development, caregiver supports , data management, and process implementation.

Prior to joining CareSource, Terrie was a Director of Education, Criminal Justice Department Chair, and faculty member at two different higher education institutions. She also helped lead the first ever rural drug abuse study funded by the NIH for Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Terrie Hottle has an MA in Applied Behavioral Science and a BS in Urban Affairs with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Wright State University. Terrie is a board member for Tri County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services and Miami County CASA. She lives in Tipp City, Ohio, has two sons and enjoys reading, Spinning, and cheering on her Cincinnati Bengals.

Kyle Lowe M.S. is the SDOH Strategy and Policy Advisor for CareSource and has been a CareSource employee for 7 years. In his role, he ideates and implements programs to address the social drivers of health impacting CareSource members. In addition, he oversees the $50M CareSource Housing Affordability Investment fund which provides low-interest capital to developers to increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing. His experience and relationships in the affordable housing sector contribute towards CareSource’s commitment that all our members’ have a roof over their heads at the end of the day. Before joining CareSource, Kyle worked with several healthcare-focused nonprofits to increase access and quality of care to underserved populations like migrant farmworkers and persons exiting incarceration. In these various roles, he gained a firsthand understanding of the importance of addressing the social drivers of health to successfully achieve one’s health goals. Kyle’s career has consistently focused on community-based solutions to address the barriers towards achieving optimal health and well-being.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Literature from Indiana University and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Leadership from Western Governors’ University.