The
Health-to-Go Van Grace
Hill Neighborhood Health Center's mobile outreach program stationed
at a variety of host sites throughout Grace Hill service
areas. The host locations provide assistance such as “reserved”
parking for the Vans and access to resources such as meeting space,
display tables, bulletin boards and access to their patrons. This program
is partially funded by an anonymous donor.
The
Health-to-Go Van (Salud
en Marcha, in Spanish) proves to be a highly effective outreach
platform. The staff provides face-to-face outreach to many neighbors that
may not have been reached otherwise, as well as health education,
information and linkage to services. Van staff conducts blood pressure
screenings and health/social needs assessments to determine the next step
in assisting neighbors.
Staff assist neighbors with concerns such as making appointments
for medical care, completing MC+ applications, referring neighbors to the
various Grace Hill’s
Health Initiatives and assisting neighbors to access career
training services, food pantries and other social services.
Van staff also conduct health education sessions on the Vans and
made home visits to patients participating in the Lead Initiative to
provide Peer Coaching for the removal of lead dust from the home.
During the year 2001 the Health
to Go Vans provided services to over 5,000
individuals and made
2,229
medical appointments, exceeding those service goals and many others.
The
three Vans are outfitted with a TV-VCR for education sessions and are customized
to accommodate small group presentations. They also have a cellular phone and
a computer connected via cellular modem to Grace
Hill’s computer network, which facilitate making appointments and
other inquiries while assisting neighbors out in the field.
For
more information about the Health to Go Vans, please call (314) 539-9869.
