Bea Walsh, R.N. for Heartland Rural Health Network, will be at the New Testament Mission every Friday to assess people who may be in need of health care.

SEBRING — There was a time not long ago when the Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless didn’t have two nickels to rub together.
But its break from Polk County, and subsequent organization of a six-county consortium, have proven to be beneficial, especially for Highlands and Hardee counties.

Most recently the coalition received an $82,500 grant through the state Department of Children and Families Office on Homelessness. Half of the award has gone to the Heartland Rural Health Network for health screenings at the New Testament Church and Mission in Sebring and at the Alpha-Omega Center in Wauchula.

Penny Phillippi, Highlands County housing coordinator, said most of the balance of the grant would be used to create a homeless information system for the six counties in the consortium. Those are Highlands, Hardee, DeSoto, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry.

It’s hoped the system will be operational by June 30. It will house reports and data on the various aspects of homelessness.

Finally, some money will go the Highlands County Human Services Department for food.

Nursing Services
Beatrice Walsh, a registered nurse who works with the rural health network, is providing the screening in Highlands and Hardee counties.
She does not provide physical examinations. Rather, she assessed each individual and fills out a form containing demographic information that is put in a data base. Referrals are made when necessary to Central Florida Health Care or the county health department.

Last Friday, at the mission, Walsh had set up shop adjacent to the dining room. “This is my mobile office,’’ she said with a smile. A box on the table with numerous folders in it constituted her file.

Despite an air of informality, she stressed that “privacy is protected.’’

She does obtain a person’s health history to determine what services might be needed now.

“These are people with no health insurance,’’ Walsh said. “So they may qualify for Medicaid, or for veterans assistance.’’

They’re not necessarily homeless.

The screening started March 1 at the mission. Nineteen people were interviewed earlier, with 11 coming by last Friday.

Walsh said the data base will be important as the coalition applies for more money to provide additional services. Right now it is seeking $200,000 that, if obtained, would allow physical exams to be given at the Highlands and Hardee locations.

Officials should know in May if they will get that money.



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