| A message from the PCAN Chairman |
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Dear Colleagues,
As more and more Orange County residents join the ranks of the uninsured, the services offered by PCAN partners are critical. We should remind each other that every member’s contribution is more important than ever – especially in this time of declining revenues.
Since our last newsletter, Margaret Brennan and I presented PCAN to a high-level panel of judges at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. The panel was chaired by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who went out of her way to congratulate us on PCAN’s work.
I am proud to say that PCAN was one of 16 finalists – of 600 applications – for the School’s “Innovations in Government Award.” Each of the finalists had five minutes to present their projects to the eight judges, and five more minutes to answer questions. YouTube streamed live video of the event.
We had hoped to be one of the three big winners, but that did not happen. I will say that the competition was incredibly varied: federal, state, county and city governments. Examples range from the Massachusetts Health Plan to the Neighborhood Place (“one-stop” centers for social services in Louisville, KY) to a Video Service Delivery network for Native Americans (Social Security Administration) to a water use tool called Mapping Evapotranspiration from Satellites (State of Idaho). Obviously, we were in great company! The winners will be announced in September.
I hope each of us will have some time this summer to rest and refresh. I know we’ll need that energy more than ever!
Sincerely,
Maureen Kersmarki
Chair
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The Destiny Foundation of Central Florida Joins PCAN |
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In May 2009, The Destiny Foundation of Central Florida joined the Board of the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN). The Destiny Foundation provides the resources and tools to help local families in need fight hunger, overcome personal crisis, and prevent homelessness by offering food and clothing assistance, social work and medical treatment.
The Destiny Foundation’s medical clinic, The People’s Clinic, helps uninsured children improve their health and quality of life by providing high-quality health care and holistic support services. The medical services offered include well-child physicals, immunizations, acute treatment for illness, and vision and dental services. The clinic will also provide developmental screenings, wellness education and support focusing on childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma, healthy cooking, infant care, and parenting education support. In addition, case management services will be offered to connect families with community resources for which they are eligible, specifically insurances.
This no-cost pediatric medical center addresses the core issues of poverty by offering a continuum of healthcare and wellness for children who are often overlooked and underserved, promoting a long-term healthy lifestyle and ultimately helping to break the cycle of poverty. Without access to these fundamental services, impoverished children are at greater risk for obesity, asthma, diabetes, and other childhood illnesses that go poorly managed and may create life-time health issues.
PCAN welcomes the Destiny Foundation and applauds their efforts in providing much needed medical care and social services to the uninsured children and families in our community.
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| Other News |
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS
by Beverly Cook, Orange County Health Department
The Orange County Health Department’s Immunization Program is offering free immunizations for children 2 months to 18 years of age during the “Back-to-School Immunization” event. This year, the Back-to-School event will take place from July 6 through August 8, 2009 every Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Central Florida Learning Community Center located at 1200 West Colonial Drive, Orlando. This site will also be open on Saturday, July 11, 2009 and Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Due to the high demand for immunizations, services will be provided on a first come, first served, walk-in basis.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive immunizations. If not, a notarized permission form must be presented. A copy of each child’s shot record, along with photo identification of parent or legal guardian, is required.
Now is the time to get your child up-to-date on their immunizations and avoid the last minute attempts to obtain shots required for school entry. The Orange County Health Department will not host back-to-school events after August 8, 2009. The Immunization program will return to its regular service hours and locations beginning August 10, 2009.
For more information on childhood immunizations, call 407-836-2517 or visit www.orchd.com.
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Safe Sleep Campaign
by Linda Sutherland, Orange County Healthy Start Coalition
On June 12th the Health Planning Council of East Central FL and the Healthy Start Coalition kicked off their “Safe Sleep” Campaign. Matt Bryant, kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost a child to SIDS, spoke and introduced the onesie saying “This Side Up”,which will be given to all newborns as they leave the hospital. The project will start out at Health Central and then move to other hospitals, as well. The onesie will come with other infant safety tips. We are hopeful this will reduce the number of infant deaths due to unsafe sleep practices such as tummy sleeping and bedsharing. The project is initially being funded by 100 Women Strong, a giving circle, and the Hayes Foundation for SIDS prevention. We are asking for donations to continue the project. We are calling the continuation, “Pay it Forward” and anyone can go to the Healthy Start website (www.healthystartorange.org) and donate to help continue the program. For every $5 donated, another onesie can be sponsored.
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PCAN in the Community |
July 25, 2009
Commissioner Fernandez's Back to School Back to Health Fair
Amazon Mall
9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
August 8, 2009
Back to School Fair
Taft Neighborhood Center for Families
9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
August 15, 2009
Commissioner Moore-Russell's School Day's Are Here Again Health and Education Fair
Hal Marston Community Center (Northwest Community Center)
9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
September 12, 2009
7th Annual Caribbean Health Summit
Central Florida Fairgrounds
8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
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