Access to Care Task
Mission:
" To increase access to health care services by eliminating barriers."

Vision:
" A Greenwich Health System that, through existing and developed interventions, and collaborative activities and agreements, is accessible and ready to serve a diverse population with diverse needs."

This task force has been working on a number of access to health care issues. The group is organized around three areas – advocacy, education and service. The task force has come up with the ideas listed below to help local people with access problems.

Advocacy

• Create a Local Insurance Pool or Product
• Educate the State Insurance Commission
• Improve Reimbursement Rates
• Increase Provider Participation in Insurance Programs

Education

• Establish a Comprehensive Greenwich Health Resource Directory
• Convene Health Fairs
• Senior Health Fair
• Cultural/Population Health Fair
• Disease-Specific Health Fair

Service

• Create and Employ a Common In-Take Form
• Establish a Health Provider/Agency Service Bureau
• Create More Access Points (i.e., school, housing authority and work-site)
• Investigate the Possibility of Establishing a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

The task group had spent a significant amount of time on creating additional access points, specifically a school-based health clinic. That possibility is being reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education.

The task group is now working on the Multicultural Health Fair, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2005 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM at Western Middle School in Greenwich. The goal of this health fair is to bring health information and services to people who normally may have difficulty accessing the service. It is also a celebration of health and heritage.

Community Health Education and Health Promotion Task Force

Mission:
"Improve the health status of our community by motivating individuals and families to change health behavior using focused, integrated and comprehensive community promotions"

Vision:
“A seamless healthcare system with healthy people that is culturally appropriate, community based, facilitates a community process among health organizations for wellness.

This task group is focusing on cardiovascular health in children and families. Future areas of focus include mental health, dental health, lyme disease, asthma and cancer prevention. This group has sponsored educational sessions for the public that focus on nutrition and physical fitness for children. The group includes physical fitness teachers who have been involved in two fitness initiatives. Fall Into Fitness was originally started by a Julian Curtis School physical fitness teacher and has been provided at other schools. The North Street School Run Across America program has been running successfully for several years at the school. Plans for the Fall 2005 are to extend this program to the entire Greenwich school district.

In addition to these programs, the group is also working with the Department of Parks and Recreation on enhancing Walking Paths. During the Fall 2005, certain paths will be graded on level of difficulty, measured and lighting may be put in where necessary. Walking Path maps will be printed to enhance walking experiences.

Programs and Services Task Force
Mission:
To better understand the community’s health needs and to plan health improvement strategies

Vision:
A healthier Greenwich community through
1) Planning data
2) An engaged community
3) An ongoing process

This task force has been focusing on dental health, mental health and prescription assistance. In the area of dental health, the task group put together information and helped define the need around dental health services. This work led to United Way and Community Block Grant Funding that resulted in a part-time Pediatric Dentist, a part-time hygienist and a part-time dental assistant. Communication among and between dental health providers increased as a result of meetings that were scheduled.
The task force has also been working on the topic of prescription assistance. In conjunction with the Commission on Aging and the Department of Social Services, the task group has come up with a list of prescription assistance programs for children, families and seniors. Please click here for the list. It is also available at the Health Information Center at Greenwich Library.

In May 2005, the task group hosted a Mental Health Breakfast which brought together approximately thirty people interested in the topic of Mental Health Services. At subsequent meetings, this group examined Greenwich Hospital data, data from the original health assessment and also state policies and procedures on establishing additional psychiatric beds.