Hello everyone!
I decided to start my blog up again as I spend 10 months in Connecticut working for a community health clinic. I've joined the AmeriCorps, a government-funded service program, and specifically, the Community HealthCorps (which is governed by the National Association of Community Health Centers). Basically, I'm an outreach specialist for the health care for homeless program of the health center (Wherever You Are - WYA). The WYA program is mobile and goes around to 4 cities throughout CT (soon to be 5!) and 7 different sites to provide medical and behavioral health care to people who are or nearly are homeless. I'll primarily be working in homeless shelters and food pantries promoting the medical/behavioral health team and other available services. I'll also be doing some case management. The health center even has a mobile dental clinic and substance abuse counselor for WYA patients. One very important fact I have yet to mention is that all mobile WYA services are FREE! However, there is a limit to mobile services. The health center does have a sliding fee scale system in place, although I still have to learn how WYA patients are billed when they go into the clinic.
So far my orientation has been incredible and most of the health center workers are amazing. My supervisor is a very compassionate person who has a lot of concern, energy, and motivation to ensure that her program is the best it can be. The first week of orientation we had a luncheon with all of the members and head staff such as the CEO, VP, and CMO. The leaders are very involved in community service, especially with the AmeriCorps members. The health center itself is also very data oriented and focused on providing quality, top-notch services to their patients (i.e. they have a mobile camera to screen for Diabetic Retinopathy (an eye problem that can lead to blindness).
The health center is not only providing a plethora of services to the community from their clinics and mobile programs (besides behavioral health, medical, and dental programs, there are school based health centers, family wellness centers, a Recess Rocks program, and they have their own dance studio called Vinnie's Jump n Jive!), but they are also participating in community run events. Today many workers from the clinics were at a VA in CT serving at the VA Stand Down. The VA Stand Down is one day where homeless veterans from all over the state are bussed in to receive all kinds of free services. They can get hair cuts, supplies (deodorant, toothpaste, etc), food (breakfast, lunch, and even boxes of girl scout cookies), immunizations, screenings (for things like oral cancer and respiratory disease), and dental care! The health center provided the dental care through their mobile dental clinic. We served about 90 patients, who not only received free cleanings but also free services such as crown repair. It was an honor to be able to help with such an important event.
The next few weeks should be both rewarding and challenging as I continue to orientate into my position. I'm sure I'll have much more to share in the next few weeks!
Tasha
