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Getting Prepared in Region 5. Barbara Grice , MS, CHES Marge Heim, APRN, BC DHEC Public Health Region 5 South Carolina. Public Health Region 5. Our region serves six counties with a population of 303,474 and covers approximately 3,908 squares miles. Community History.
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Getting Prepared in Region 5 Barbara Grice, MS, CHES Marge Heim, APRN, BC DHEC Public Health Region 5 South Carolina
Public Health Region 5 Our region serves six counties with a population of 303,474 and covers approximately 3,908 squares miles.
Community History • Conducted a comprehensive MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships) Assessment to understand community issues and public health priorities. • Primarily rural communities with 5 counties that have a minority population higher than the state at 31 percent. • Strong partnerships for integrating all hazards preparedness into public health activities. • Large clinic sites in Aiken and Orangeburg.
Aiken County Population 143,201 Minority Population 28% Poverty Rate 13.8% SC 14.0% 41.9% of children in single families live in poverty Orangeburg County Population 91,337 Minority Population 63 % Poverty Rate 21.4% SC 14.0 % 40.0 % of children in single families live in poverty Pilot Counties
Partnerships • Work collaboratively with Edisto Health Coalition to educate the public regarding all hazards preparedness. • Work through the WIC program to inform and educate clients. • Work with the Public Health Preparedness Director to link all appropriate activities together. Goal: To improve the public health system and create a network to sustain public health preparedness education in the community.
Using MAPP to Support What We Do. • Use MAPP priorities from the assessment areas to address the needs of our underserved clients and community members. • Use Public Health Preparedness GIS data to target areas in the community. • Utilize our Spanish speaking Health Educator to provide linguistically appropriate services.
Project Description • This project will build on existing partnerships to establish an All Hazards awareness programs in local churches, schools and community groups. “Families Getting Ready” • Linkage to our WIC program will allow us to educate clients and have them complete a family plan.
Project Description (continued) • Target population identified through MAPP and internal program audits. • Population served by our health department clinics and community educate efforts. • Partnerships established and receptive to implement activities. • Relationship with target audience established and health education and WIC outreach conducted regularly.
Objectives • Discuss objectives with local partners, train partners and implement the “Families Getting Ready” program. • Conduct WIC education classes and have participants complete their family plan. • Use pre/post test to capture level of knowledge. • Reinforce with PSA’s and community awareness announcements to partners and citizens. • Track number of participants developing plans and gathering supplies.
Local Activities Supporting Preparedness • Health Events • Train-the-trainer sessions. • Professional Forums. • Community and WIC Client Education.
Supporting Activities • Link with other Public Health Preparedness activities to provide resources to community partners. • Train church members to conduct information sessions and complete family plans with groups. • Quarterly and final reports to partners, health department staff and our performance management team.
Opportunities to Improve Public Health Preparedness: • Community All Hazards education efforts. • Enhanced communication and collaboration between agencies and health care providers to address preparedness issues impacting health. • Collaboration between colleges / universities and community organizations to incorporate preparedness education into existing activities. • Partnering to support community health activities. • Opportunity to decrease duplication of services and educational efforts.
Conclusion • Multi-disciplinary team approach for planning, development and implementation of all activities. • Multiple channels for information distribution. • Messages targeted for specific populations and geographic areas. • Benefits health efforts in the community and heightens health department credibility. • Efforts can be replicated in other regions in South Carolina.