WHAT IS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community outreach simply means providing education and services in the community and responding to the needs of the community by offering programs, such as blood pressure and glucose checks and flu shots, at community locations.

Outreach, education and programs are part of the OCHC's Community Health Connection (CHC) initiative. The purpose of the CHC Initiative is to increase access to care and reduce health disparities in populations of color by having a holistic, coordinated effort in providing health care, support services, education and outreach. The CHC Initiative concentrates on the following major health issues because these create the greatest disparity for populations of color: early entry into prenatal care and reduction of infant mortality (African Americans in St. Paul have one of the highest IMRs in the nation), early detection of cancer (especially for breast and cervical cancer), early detection of diabetes, and early diagnosis of post traumatic stress syndrome, especially in immigrant and refugee populations. The clinic's CHC Initiative concentrates on expanding home visits, expanding chronic disease management (especially diabetes and cancer) and expanding behavioral health (with a concentration on post traumatic stress syndrome in the immigrant and refugee populations.)

Goals: The following goals have been developed as part of the CHC Initiative:

Ensure that everyone who walks through the doors of OCHC receives comprehensive affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.

Increase access to health care for underserved populations (particularly low-income individuals, families and populations of color.)

Increase awareness in the community regarding the clinic's services because OCHC has the capacity to serve low-income individuals, families and populations of color.

Objectives: These are the objectives of the CHC's Initiative:

Increase patients' health literacy and empower them to take control of their health care and their children.s health care so that they have healthier outcomes as a family.

Increase social support referrals to empower participants. to advocate for themselves and their children in order to create stable foundations for families.

Expand community outreach and education to inform residents about health care issues, particularly prenatal care, cancer, chronic diseases such as diabetes and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)

Build ongoing relationships with churches, family centers, recreation centers, high rises and other community centers to provide health care services and educational programs and also keep them regularly informed about OCHC's services with emphasis on providing services to populations of color.

Establish ongoing relationships with area businesses for the purpose of seeking in-kind donations and cash contributions and to provide health care services and educational programs (i.e. diabetes classes) to their employees.

Inform the media about OCHC services and programs regularly through press releases to newspapers and public service announcements to radio stations.

Build a relationship with potential funders to inform them about the services OCHC provides that help strengthen communities, especially in low-income neighborhoods and to immigrant populations.

Due to the reputation of the CHC Initiative OCHC has secured funding from several foundations and funding agencies including past and present funders: Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Bush Foundation, March of Dimes, Medica Foundation, Medtronic Foundation, Minnesota Department of Health/Positive Alternatives grant, Pohlad Family Foundation, Twin Cities Healthy Start, and Twin Cities United Way. OCHC also works with the Partnership for Improving Children's Oral Health (PICOH) grant to provide dental screenings for children.

Following is a brief look at OCHC outreach services 2007:

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: 86 (over 1,400+ encounters at health fairs)

Community Education at these sites: African American churches, Day Care Centers, Lao Family Center, Hmong American Partnership, Hmong Health Care Coalition, Hmong Resource Center, Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women: 2,428

Community fairs and work with other agencies in providing information. Total residents reached: 3,400+.

Dental Education and free dental screenings: 1,091 children

Diabetes Education and Support Groups: 364

Flu shots: Free flu shots administered in the community to 1,890 individuals.

Health fairs (OCHC-sponsored): African American Health fair, 373 people; Women's Health fair, 150 people; Men's Health Fair 75 people, Hmong Health Fair, 167. Total served: 765 people

Healthy Senior Aging Education and Support Group: 31 sessions with 10 - 12 people attending each session.

Hubbs Adult Learning Center: Health education and screenings. 729 adults

Liberty Plaza Outreach (A multifamily housing complex in St. Paul with over 500 residents where OCHC has a weekly clinic): 361

Loaves and Fishes (Faith Lutheran Church and St. Mathews Church): 465

Prenatal Classes and Support Services: 1174-.