The Award
Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc. (HRHN) was awarded a Florida
Department of Children & Families Challenge Grant in the amount of
$40,000 in late March, 2005. In 2001, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law
a bill that created the Challenge Grant program, the Council on
Homelessness and DCF’s Office of Homelessness. Challenge Grants allow
recipients to fund activities under their Continuum of Care (COC) plans
that otherwise would not be carried out, or to expand services. The COC
concept extends beyond traditional services, like offering meals and
nightly lodging, to providing prevention services, transitional housing,
outreach and supportive services to assist those that are homeless or
are at risk of becoming homeless. In 2005, a total of $2.1 million in
state Challenge Grant funds were awarded to 21 Homeless Coalitions
serving 40 counties. The Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless was
awarded $82,500. Various agencies and organizations serving Highlands,
Hardee, Hendry, Okeechobee, DeSoto & Glades Counties received a portion
of the Coalition's $82,500 award. HRHN received $40,000 out of the
$82,500 to provide health screenings for homeless persons in Highlands
and Hardee Counties. HRHN requested Challenge Grant funding for three
distinct needs to operate their homeless program, Heartland Rural Health
Services (HRHS): office space, prescription assistance, and salary for a
PT Registered Nurse/Case Manager.
The Program
HRHN is a member of the Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless &
Florida's Heartland Rural Consortia for the Homeless (FHRCH). HRHN made a
commitment to bring health care providers “to the table” in an effort to
develop an integrated healthcare delivery system for the homeless
population of the six rural counties served by the consortia. The
homeless population in Highlands and Hardee Counties faces multiple
barriers accessing healthcare and social services. The largest obstacle
this population faces is the non-existent continuum of care for these
services. The HRHS Outreach Program was established to provide access to
a more effective continuum of care that alleviates some of the barriers
to accessing health and social services. The goal of the HRHS program is
to offer a centralized location for the homeless of Highlands and Hardee
Counties to access free health screenings (physical, psycho-social,
and/or substance abuse) and referrals, which will reduce unnecessary
visits to ‘safety net’ providers such as the local hospital Emergency
Departments. The Registered Nurse/Case Manager sets up a treatment plan
with the client and schedules necessary appointments with health care
and social service agencies. Along with the assessments and case
management, HRHS provides Prescription Assistance through two different
programs: vouchers for urgent/emergent needs and assisting clients by
applying to the pharmaceutical companies for free or reduced cost
maintenance medications.
Program Progress
Through this grant the
Network was able to purchase a used 34-foot motor coach from Dusty’s RV
in Bartow, Florida. With some minor renovation, the coach accommodates
two offices where Bea Walsh, R.N., a Network staff member, interviews
and assesses clients. The mobile office travels throughout Highlands and
Hardee Counties. Bea also regularly visits the homeless shelters in both
counties. As of April 30, 2005, Bea has served 65 homeless individuals;
35 from Emergency Shelters, 4 from transitional housing, 4 from the
street, 17 from their own home, 4 discharged from the jail or hospital,
and 1 residing at a friend/relative’s home. Prescription Assistance
services have also increased significantly since the program started in
late March. In April, HRHS spent $1,062.02 on prescription vouchers and
anticipates spending at least an additional $5,000 for vouchers in May.
Relationships with four pharmacies in Highlands County and one pharmacy
in Hardee County have been working very well. These pharmacies have a
strong commitment to helping their fellow community residents.
Challenge Grant funding ends June 30 and HRHN hopes to continue this
much needed program by seeking funding through other grant sources. The Network
was recently awarded the
Blue
Foundation Grant to continue these services.
HRHN's New Mobile Unit
Using funds provided to us by a Department of Children and Families Challenge Grant we recently received, we decided to purchase a used motor home to help provide better services to the communities we serve. This 33' Class A Pace Arrow is in beautiful condition and the fantastic price reduction given to us by Dusty's RV in Bartow, was proof that we couldn't let this unit go. Click each image to see a larger view.
After doing some minor preventative maintenance, we removed the bed from the back of the unit and installed a desk unit to create an office.
This office will serve our needs to provide assessments, interviews and conduct business that will assist our communities.
Leaving the rest of the unit in tact, it still has a functioning kitchen, restroom and dining area, as well as a small waiting area for clients to relax. Keeping these areas untouched allows us to staff both the office and the main area and use both these areas for interviews and assessments.
Sebring Signs and Promotions equipped the RV with our logo, company name, as well as our phone number and website.
Please also see this article for more information regarding our homeless outreach program.
Please check back often to see what we will accomplish in the near future!