GALVESTON COUNTY COORDINATED C
Grant: $464,038 - Department of Health and Human Services - Mar. 27, 2009
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Award Description: Since Hurricane Ike struck in September 2008, the healthcare environment in our area changed dramatically. The University of Texas Medical Branch, the indigent/uninsured referral hospital for the state of Texas and the Island's largest employer, suffered more than $700 million in hurricane damages and the hospital, ER, and clinics were closed until August 2009. The current economic impact and devastation from Hurricane Ike, the resulting loss of homes, businesses, jobs and the lack of available primary care service has increased the number of uninsured/underinsured persons seeking care at our clinics. With the addition of IDS grant funding, we have been able to expand clinic services to Saturdays; thereby, helping us address the increasing demand for primary care services for the uninsured and underinsured in our community. Last quarter, a total of 109 patients were provided medical, dental or counseling services through this funding, and this quarter 590 patients were served (a increase of 481 patients). We have received positive feedback from both patients and the community, and look forward to continuing to provide this much needed service to all of our patients.
Project Description: Due to an increased demand for both medical and dental services in our community, ARRA funding has been used primarily to staff a Saturday clinic which is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM each Saturday, with the exception of certain holiday weekends. In addition, we have also hired a part-time psychologist to provide additional mental health counseling services to patients two times a week, and have been able to hire a part-time person to assist with appointments and patient reminder calls. The Saturday clinic began in June, and we have continued to see a steady increase in the number of patients we have been able to serve throughout this period. We are pleased to be able to provide expanded clinical hours to our community, as the majority of the patients we see are either uninsured or underinsured, and the demand for the services we provide has increased substantially over the past few years.
Jobs Summary: We have been able to add the following new positions due to ARRA funding: Clinical Psychologist to provide mental health counseling services to our patients 2 times per week. Additional staff, consisting of Lab personnel and Patient Services support staff, which help support our Saturday clinic services. We have also hired a part-time appointment clerk to assist with the increase in patient appointments and make reminder calls. (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Mar. 27, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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