Today, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners join their counterparts from the across the country in celebrating County Health Day. An initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo), County Health Day celebrates counties working to build a culture of health. Throughout the day on social media, NACo will highlight innovative county health programming and share best practices from communities across the U.S. using the hashtag #CountyHealth.
County Health Day occurs during National County Government Month, another of NACo’s initiatives, which seeks to raise awareness of all the ways that county governments positively impact the lives of their residents every day. This year, the theme for National County Government Month is “Connecting the Unconnected”.
“Franklin County is the safety net for many of our residents who are struggling” said Board of Commissioners President Marilyn Brown. “I am so proud our Community Partnership program and the work of our nonprofit partners to connect our vulnerable residents with the food and healthcare they need to thrive.”
The commissioners, through their Community Partnership program, collaborate with and fund local nonprofits to connect vulnerable residents in need with access to healthcare and nutritious food. This year, the county has partnered with 13 organizations providing nearly $4.4 million to address these needs in our community.
“While unemployment may be low, many of our residents are struggling to get the healthcare and prescriptions they need,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “Through our Community Partnership program, we are able to leverage our investments with those of other individuals and entities to maximize impact for those that need a little help.”
“Our Community Partnership program helps to improve the quality of life for so many of our residents,” said Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce. “From healthcare services for expectant mothers, to healthy afterschool snacks for kids, to prescriptions for seniors, we are making an impact in the lives of every resident, every day.”
Recipients of Community Partnership grants related to health include:
- Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio ($75,000) – provides evidence-based education, support, counseling, resources and referrals to persons diagnosed with cancer, their families, friends and caregivers.
- Central Ohio Diabetes Association ($75,000) – provides access to camps for children ages 3-17 with diabetes that are designed to help families understand the need for, and to develop, a personal diabetes management plan.
- Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio ($65,000) - provides free or low cost prescriptions to low income residents who are uninsured or underinsured.
- Children’s Hunger Alliance ($125,000) – provides low income children with year-round access to healthful meals and snacks, evidence-based nutrition education, and increased opportunities for physical activity.
- Columbus Public Health-Ben Franklin TB Control Program ($2,332,852) – provides state-mandated tuberculosis screening and treatment services.
- Franklin County Public Health-Stop the Bleed Program ($54,800) – provides schools hands-on training to save a life by recognizing and controlling life-threatening blood loss in a mass casualty scenario.
- Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers ($95,000) – provides healthcare services to low income residents with diabetes and hypertension, and at-risk expectant mothers.
- Mid-Ohio Food Bank ($100,000) – provides fresh, healthful, nutrient-dense food to food insecure individuals and families via produce markets, mobile markets and produce pick-up programs.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Behavioral Health Program ($450,000) – provides school-based mental health services and suicide prevention programs, integration of behavioral health services into primary care practices, expanded outpatient mental health capacity, and 24/7 pediatric mental health crisis services.
- Ohio State University Extension ($190,000) – provides nutrition education and health and wellness classes to youth, adults and seniors and manages county-owned community gardens.
- Physicians CareConnection ($300,000) – provides specialty clinic care including dental, obstetrical, cardiology and ophthalmology services to under- and uninsured residents.
- PrimaryOne Health ($475,000) – provides pre- and post-natal care to low income, under- and uninsured women to reduce infant mortality and maternal health problems.
- Produce Perks ($18,750) – provides food-insecure residents who are enrolled in the SNAP program with greater amounts of fresh produce thanks to a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $20.