Constance Jones: Advocate for Women’s Healthcare

Constance Jones descended out from Abbeville, LA, and has been a Houstonian native for over 30 years. Constance pursued her studies in Healthcare Law Business Administration majoring in Healthcare Compliance. Her background encompasses over twenty years in the healthcare field specializing in Healthcare Law and Corporate Compliance/Human Resource Management. Ms. Jones worked as a Compliance Auditor for the State of Texas and Harris County Medicaid HMO for several years.

Managed to open her Compliance Consulting company “CRJ Healthcare Credentials and Consulting” in the early 2000s specializing in opening healthcare entities specifically Hospitals and clinics and taking part in overseeing state surveys. She was elected in 2016 and recently was re-elected for a second term as a State Officer for Texas Coalition Black Caucus.

In 2017 Ms. Jones was recruited by the Steering Committee from University of Texas to serve on the Texas State Task Force for Policy and Legislative Maternal Morbidity Steering Committee along with State Representative Shawn Thierry serving as one of the honorary board members, this has proven to be one of her greatest accomplishments as being dedicated to true advocacy for women’s healthcare.

Ms. Jones deeply believes in supporting her community and has volunteered and served in various professional, civic, and charitable organizations. Some of the organizations she is actively involved in our Executive Board for International Women Empowerment Movement, National Congress of Black Women (NCBW), Annie’s List Steering Committee (Texas Chapter), Member of National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association (NMMAA), Communications Director for TCBD (Harris Chapter), Brand Ambassador for Boss Up Inspirations and True Faith Healthcare Systems Executive Board as the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)/Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO).

Very fortunately, and recently in 2020, she joined the American Caribbean Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Senior VP of Community Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer, wishing to provide the ACCC all the efforts` essences to stand concrete, durable, and to serve the community according to the mission, vision, and plans of the organization.

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”

Constance Jones

Tammy Reese: What does your role entail as State Officer for Texas Coalition Black Caucus?

Constance Jones:

-Building black political power across the State and National globe.

-Targeted Black, Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander Voter Registration across the state-
especially in rural counties.

-Supporting Democratic candidates running for Judicial, State, School Board, and municipal
office in 2021.

-Ensuring a fair redistricting process, at all levels, across the state.

-Continuing to affirm the push for fairness, equality, equity, and inclusion.

Tammy Reese: Please tell us about some of your notable work with the Texas State Task Force for Policy and Legislative Maternal Morbidity Steering Committee?

Constance Jones: In 2016, Texas’ Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity sounded an alarm: Women in Texas are dying from childbirth-related conditions at an alarming rate. While the number of women who are dying during pregnancy, or soon after giving birth, has risen nationwide in the past few years, the Task Force identified an 87 percent spike in deaths in Texas.

As of 2015, the maternal mortality rate in Texas was 32.5 per 100,000 live births, and the increase accounts for around 50 to 60 additional deaths per year. If Texas were a country, it would have the worst rate of maternal mortality among most developed nations.

The Task Force also found that while every woman, regardless of her background, is at risk for life-threatening complications from pregnancy, African American women bear the greatest risk for maternal death. African American mothers accounted for 11.4 percent of Texas births in 2011 and 2012, but 28.8 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. Also, in keeping with statewide trends, the rate of maternal mortality was significantly higher among African American women and among women from historically disadvantaged geographical areas.

My initial work started with the Women’s Experience Working Group. The first task was to develop focus study groups with all ethnicities and social-economic backgrounds as a co-facilitator I helped oversee the study groups to collect real-time data.

Stories were critical to fostering a deeper understanding of barriers to care and vital in the development of recommendations for action. Data from the study groups spin-off into specific departments of the Task Force and I chose the Policy and Legislative. With corporate compliance as part of my professional background. I felt that creating policies were the best fit.

Constance Jones

Tammy Reese: How has being an advocate for women’s healthcare made an impact on you personally?

Constance Jones: Life-changing to say the least! To be a part of a change maker such as creating and drafting policies to present before the Legislature made a huge impact.

The work on the steering committee policy and legislative opened a whole different world of opportunity to learn the internal process of starting to finish when crafting a proposed policy but added to the excitement in knowing something you had personal input is indescribable.

While I realize I cannot save everyone, however, knowing this process makes you stronger and more determined than ever to fight for every voice who may not otherwise, be able to articulate or stand up to inequality as it relates to Black and brown healthcare disparities.

Tammy Reese: When you think of women empowerment, what comes to mind?

Constance Jones: Surprisingly, there is no common definition of women’s empowerment. Empowerment is a process. Through the process, an individual becomes an agent of change. Proud to be unapologetically a beautiful Black woman to bring about true empowerment.

In my opinion, we need to change the mindset of the society at large where industries that nurture and value female traits are regarded as highly as those that require male traits. I love who I am at this moment in my life it’s great to be me.

Personally, for me, women empowerment is defined as living your true authentic self on all platforms, politically, socially, and financially. Empowerment is loving you and being okay with being enough no matter what line of work you are in.

A lot of times we are and can be our own worst critics because society has projected a false image of physical and other characteristics defining a real woman and beauty. I am a woman of substance who will continue to be a change-maker and positive influence on my sisters.

Tammy Reese: Congratulations on being an ambassador for Brand Ambassador for Boss up Inspirations. How do you intend to use your platform to help others?

Constance Jones: Great question I am first humbled and honored to be chosen as a face and voice for this new platform for Boss up Networks. I plan to utilize this platform to uplift others in the religious spectrum as well as bringing visibility to myself and potential clients as a brand ambassador.

It is my job to represent the brand in a positive light, and by doing so, help to increase brand awareness. I do not take this opportunity lightly, as the brand ambassador is meant to embody the entity’s identity in appearance, demeanor, values, and ethics. With this major opportunity, I am happy to bring to life my own flavor.

Constance Jones

Tammy Reese: What are some memorable moments in your career so far?

Constance Jones: Professional level, I would say the independence to create and start my own compliance consulting company, while I work for myself it has been challenging and exciting to secure certain contracts benefitting constituents in the healthcare field.

It can prove to be incredibly challenging to step away from the typical 8 to 5 world and say I can be my own CEO/boss and really manage myself and potential employees depending on said contract. I can remember asking myself, what did you do? Was it the right decision? Etc.

Eventually, you must get away from the second-guessing and own your craft and that is what I did. Politically, serving as a State Officer has been extremely rewarding because the pros outweigh the cons. As an officer to be right in the center of the political process is mind-blowing, to say the least.

For example, I will forever be proud to have been among many who contributed to the 19 black female judges who won across the board in 2018. It made national and history the first time happening ever. The campaign trail was enlightening empowering and the win was everything. Truly a time I will forever cherish.

Tammy Reese: How did your involvement with the Being That Girl organization come about?

Constance Jones: Honestly, I first recognized Natasha from Instagram, I was extremely impressed with her posts regarding supporting and uplifting other women. She truly inspired me with her support, knowledge, and love for her craft while building the Being That Girl tribe.

Secondly, there was an event held in Houston, a few years back and I attended the event, and it was at that time I met her in person. She was just as kind and beautiful as her videos and IG posts. The event honored women who are breaking glass ceilings. From that day on I continued to follow and interact via social media networks.

Tammy Reese: What are you most excited about?

Constance Jones: Opportunity, Growth and where this journey I am currently on is taking me, I have been blessed with some extraordinary opportunities even despite COVID19. We as a nation are still recovering and will be for a long time to come.

I am just thankful God saw fit to keep me healthy and favored for the most amazing blessings. While it has not been perfect, I too must give all honor where honor is due, I pray that everything I have ever wanted is bestowed upon me.

Tammy Reese: What words of encouragement and empowerment would you leave our readers with?

Constance Jones: I would tell your readers, everything you as a woman dream and even fantasize about doing as it relates to your betterment for health, finances, spiritual growth is attainable! If you fall get up and keep getting up.

I have learned the hard way that you will always experience naysayers, critical thinking, and negativity! Just know that sometimes your best support is from outside your inner circle and immediate family.

Continue to apply pressure as needed and never ever take “no” as the end-all for your goals. While others may attain success quickly you cannot be discouraged. Your time is coming, and you are “That Girl.”

 

Be sure to connect with Constance on Instagram @constance.jones.39545464.

For media inquiries for Constance Jones contact the Being That Girl organization at www.iam-thatgirl.com 

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