Public vision sought for community health center [The Bemidji Pioneer, Minn.]
By Laurie Swenson, The Bemidji Pioneer, Minn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
An open forum/discussion from
"The main objective is to hear from the community, what they see as barriers, what they envision for a community health center," Bowen said, noting that she anticipates transportation will be identified as a significant barrier.
Bowen said there is no preconceived notion of what the CHC would be. She encouraged, health care providers, community leaders, people in business or nonprofit agencies, potential patients, faith-based organizations and any interested individuals to attend Friday's forum, share their visions and get involved.
"I'm very excited," she said. "There's a lot to learn."
The
Northern Dental Access Center is the fiscal host for the planning grant, which was submitted as a partnership involving Northern Dental,
The community needs assessment is expected to be completed by early next spring, with planning completed by the beginning of September, Bowen said.
"We want to make sure we're transparent and open to the community and open to all kinds of feedback," she said. "All our meetings are open to the public."
The community assessment team will meet monthly, said
"We have a very wide group involved," Thompson said. "Anyone is really invited to join. We need people who are advocates, people who work in nonprofits, people who work in county positions and in health service, people who know the needs of the community."
But she said the most important part of the process is to receive input from potential patents of the CHC, both at Friday's forum and as part of the wider assessment process.
"The needs of our community are growing because of employment and the economy and people's health insurance situation changing," Thompson said. "Our county has high needs that over the years we've tried to assess. The community health center assessment will allow us to take a closer look at that idea, see where the barriers are to health care in the community and the health outcomes that we're seeing in the county, and then develop a plan based on what we find out."
Thompson is an independent consultant who has worked with a number of nonprofits, including several that are part of the community health center project.
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Ten years ago,
A community health center would provide primary, dental and mental health services, as well as a critical fourth component: addressing barriers to health care, Bowen said, adding that community health centers are required to provide non-clinical services such as counseling and assessment, referrals, outreach, health education and transportation. She said most CHCs provide more elective services as well.
"It's very patient-centered, Bowen said. "This delivery model of community health centers is high quality. It's cost-effective.
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