Becky Long • Progress Commission Chairman Rob Peck and commissioners’ Randy Nichols and Dwight Penland prepare to open the meeting on Sept. 5 which lasted about 20 minutes and reflected a short agenda.
By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County Health Department has been awarded a $30,000 grant that will be used to help “mitigate” chronic diseases, according to an update Director Clarissa Rogers gave county commissioners during their Sept. 5 monthly meeting.
The grant was among 17 awarded from the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation in a commitment of over $1 million to help expand needed services across western North Carolina by supporting health-related programs and services.
In Clay County’s case, Rogers said the grant money will go toward a Healthy Hearts and Smiles Program.
“We know that chronic diseases remain a leading cause of death in Clay County,” Rogers said. “Action through this funding will be aimed at cardiac and dental health.”
She said the oral health portion will target qualifying uninsured or under-insured patients.
“Initially we can assist with extractions or fillings, then get them on a routine dental care plan.”
The cardiac portion will include a blood pressure cuff for qualifying patients to use for self monitoring and recording. The readings can then be reviewed with their provider at the health department. The goal of the program is to encourage patients to be more self-motivated in their care plans and decrease risk factors that contribute to chronic disease.
Other updates from the health department included:
• HD is working with our schools to provide vaccines at the school for seventh and 12th graders. This effort is to prevent parents from having to take time off from work to bring children in to the health department for vaccines. Forms are being sent to parents to complete, Sept. 19-20.
• Gearing up for flu season. The health department will begin vaccinating on Oct. 1.
• Filled two positions at the health department; a nursing position and a medical assistant.
• Tri-County Community College in collaboration with the health department is presenting a series of advanced level medical special classes. The classes will run concurrent with paramedic classes and are approved for EMTs, paramedics, emergency medical responders, nurses, physician assistants and physicians. Fee waivers will be available for public safety students currently in departments.
Community Paramedic Ben English will share teaching duties with the lead paramedic instructor at TCCC. Classes will start at the end of the month and are open to everyone.
In unrelated matters in the brief meeting:
• Sandy Zimmerman was reappointed to the Town of Hayesville Board of Adjustment for a three-year term.
• Heard a FY 2023-24 update from Zimmerman who was representing Historic Hayesville Inc. Among the highlights she reported is that despite being the smallest town in the Small Town Main Street program, Hayesville consistently ranks first and second in most categories, but always No. 1 in volunteer hours.
Zimmerman reported 7,796 volunteer hours logged which she valued at $31.64 per hour which translates to $246, 665 if the work has been paid, based on the state value. Zimmerman herself was voted 2024 CCP Readers Choice Volunteer of the Year.
She also said:
• The town gained three businesses.
• Investments from pubic and private entities brought in $669, 700; of that $297, 450 in public and $372, 250 came from private sources.
• The annual average rental rate in the Hayesville city limits is $5.80 per square feet per state standards.
• The Lance family who owns the former Town & Country Drug Store on the corner of Sanderson Street is planning to open a downtown market in their building. “It’s going to be really nice,” Zimmerman said.
Commissioners meet in the multi-purpose room of the courthouse the first Thursday of the month immediately following the Water & Sewer District meeting which starts at 6:30 p.m.