Centenary hosts health fair

Lack of resources means a healthy community is illusive at times. Centenary United Methodist Church will address this issue at its first-ever free Health and Resource Fair in September to provide preventative care and resource information to the underserved in Shelby County.

The fair is Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 429 Main St. in Shelbyville.

Screenings

Anyone may attend, even if not from Shelby County.

Screenings include glucose, blood pressure, dental, and vision, plus vaccines from North Central District Health Department, which serves Shelby, Henry, Spencer, and Trimble counties.

Resources

Information about local services and resources will include medical, dental, vision, Medicaid applications and information, pregnancy care, school resources, jobs, migrant program, giveaways, and more.

ID is not required. "That can sometimes be a barrier or concern," said Kay Burney, director of worship and discipleship ministries at Centenary.

Local schools

Shelby County Public Schools Family Resource center staff will be on hand to answer questions and inform the public about resources available within the local school system. "Public don't necessarily know what resources are available," she said.

Jobs

KentuckianaWork will provide resources for jobs. This agency "helps job seekers in Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties find jobs, education and training to connect employers with skilled, qualified workers," according to its website, kentuckianaworks.org.

Medicaid

Connectors from KYnect (pronounced connect) health insurance will be at the fair. This is a need and income-based health insurance plan. These connectors will help people apply for Medicaid services.

Humana Healthy Horizons is Humana's Medicaid brand. Representatives will give information and answer questions for members or potential Medicaid members. Humana Health Horizons is an MCO, managed care organization.

Translators

Centro Latino of Shelbyville will be at the health fair. The organization serves Latinos in Shelby, Spencer, Oldham, Trimble, and Henry counties and promotes engagement within the community.

According to its website, "Our mission at Centro Latino is to advance their [Latinos] prospects to achieve a part of the American Dream."

Shelby County includes a vibrant Latino population.

Bilingual interpreters, Spanish to English, will translate as needed.

NCDHD

North Central District Health Department will give vaccinations and inform attendees about some of its programs including HANDS.

HANDS is short for Health Access Nurturing Development Services, a "voluntary and intensive home visitation program" to assist parents of children at developmental milestones. Services can start at pregnancy or any time before a child turns 3 months old. The HANDS program supports parents through pregnancy and the early years of a baby's life, teaches ways to make the home safer for little ones, informs about how to care for a baby, imparts ways to check on a baby's development and healthy habits, and promotes activities parents of small children can do together.

Partners

Humana/Healthy Horizons in Kentucky, Middletown United Methodist Church, University of Louisville School of Dentistry clinic in Shelbyville, Centro Latino, KIPDA (Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency), Lions International, and North Central District Health Department will partner with Centenary and its assistance program.

First ever

Centenary formed a ministerial team this year tasked with planning quarterly events.

"The team decided to make one of these events a community outreach event," Burney said. "They brainstormed the needs around us. One important need was to offer health screenings."

Burney said the group hopes to authentically meet a need within the community. "We want to connect with the community," she said.

Burney isn't sure how many people to expect. "I have no idea, but we've thrown out a wide net," she said.