Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted last week announced dozens of transformational projects that will significantly improve access to healthcare across many of Ohio’s Appalachian communities.
As part of the new Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, more than $64 million in funding will be awarded to the Appalachian Children Coalition to support the creation or expansion of community- and school-based health clinics, the launch of healthcare-focused workforce development programs, and more.
“Our vision for Ohio’s future is one where all Ohioans, no matter where they are from, have the opportunity to live up to their full potential,” said Governor DeWine. “These projects will uplift and empower the people of Ohio’s Appalachian region for generations to come.”
Locally, the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District is receiving $1,337,328 for a new telehealth and mobile unit program. In partnership with the Adams County Regional Medical Center, the district will establish a telemedicine program for students, teachers, administrators, and support staff to identify and treat health problems, as well as provide comprehensive care and health education for a district experiencing gaps in healthcare accessibility and resources.
ACRMC will staff each of the three PreK-12 schools with a medical assistant to reduce the burden on school nurses and coordinate access with telehealth visits and hospital staff. Additionally, the project will fund a community mobile care program, staffed with a nurse practitioner, medical assistant, and registration specialist to provide healthcare and education to serve the local Amish population, mitigating transportation and other barriers
for the community, according to the office of the Governor.
The funding will be divided among 28 projects that are expected to impact 61,000 students and 375,000 residents across 20 Appalachian counties. Partners include 34 school districts, a career technical school, an educational service center, and 16 healthcare partners. Expanded services will include comprehensive primary care, dental, vision, and mental health services for children, families, and communities.
“Expanding school-based healthcare is proven to significantly reduce barriers to accessing essential health services, leading to improved physical and mental health and academic outcomes for students,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “These investments will deliver better life and academic outcomes for students, benefiting families and the community.”
Funding for the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative is being awarded through the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is investing $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. This unprecedented investment was spearheaded by the DeWine-Husted Administration with support from the Ohio General Assembly.
