Recommendations

[ Print Version of All Physical & Mental Health ]

  1. Increase funding for existing primary and specialty medical services through:
    1. Seeking alternative funding and grants with the help of MPA students, nonprofit resource center, Grant Station, etc.
    2. Working to increase State funding for mental health services
    3. Moving hospital dollars towards local clinics to support wellness visits and other care to limit unnecessary emergency room care (Mercy Clinic, Nurses' Clinic Neighborhood Health Clinic, Palm Housing Recovery Center, and Others)
    4. Supporting Neighborhood Health Center's Federally Qualified Health Center grant
    5. Creating a local pooled health insurance policy for small businesses to offer their employees
    6. Addressing the disparity in public health nurse salaries through scholarships, loan forgiveness and other incentives

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  2. Address gaps in primary and specialty health medical services by:
    1. Establishing a one-stop clinic providing primary care, dental care, mental health, pharmacy and physical/occupation therapy services, including case management, that is open generous hours and convenient to public transit
    2. Creating a community outreach and education program and a Mobile Health Clinic for the uninsured and underinsured
    3. Utilizing a "Health SPLOST" for capital investments
    4. Seeking volunteers to assist in local clinics (the use of volunteers can help extend limited funding)

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  3. Establish an Internet referral/resource center including information gathered by L.E.A.D. Athens survey.
    1. include information gathered by Lead Athens survey

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  4. Reduce incidence of Teen Pregnancy and improve outcomes through:
    1. Gain commitment of PPA Co-Conveners to 1) research to understand the problem and scope of teen pregnancy in Clarke County, 2) evaluate, research, and develop effective sex education for teens in grades 6 through 12, and 3) Develop and implement methods to aid in the prevention of repeat teen pregnancy
    2. Establish educational activities that 1) develop self-esteem, self-respect, dignity, and leadership, 2) train parents on sex education for children, and 3) inform the community about the number of teen pregnancies in Clarke County relative to the district, Georgia, US and Europe by the use of a diagram. Plus a call for community participation to address the problem.
    3. Allow teen's greater access to pregnancy prevention services by 1) setting up and operating teen health clinics adjacent to high schools, 2) granting access to family planning clinics during school hours, and 3) providing public health educators in each of the county's schools.
    4. Provide access to currently available resources by 1) establishing a protocol to identify pregnant and parenting teens in schools, 2) setting up a process to provide students the needed information on school policies and schedule referrals, 3) allowing students to access these resources during school hours when necessary, and 4) Attaching Early Learning Centers to all public high schools.

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