Dr. Duncan added a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines may be available for high-risk residents in November of this year, and then a larger number of vaccines may be provided in the spring of 2021. More information will be published as soon as it becomes available.
The Healthy Bladen Collaborative met virtually on Tuesday morning. Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, Director of Bladen County Health and Human Services, led the group through a packed agenda. The healthcare leaders gave updates for community awareness about COVID-19, healthy eating, education, substance abuse, and more.
Quessie Peterson with the Baltimore Community Center explained the center partnered with Men & Women United and held a virtual summer camp. The camp taught 29 students about health, civics, and communication, according to Peterson.
Amy Stanley, with Bladen County Schools, explained the national Summer Feeding Program would be ending August 31. According to her report, the program took 26 buses and one feeding van and fed up to 3,500 people per day during operation. The national program allowed Bladen County Schools to extend their normal reach to help feed anyone in the area 18 years and younger.
Dr. Duncan commended Amy and her team for doing an awesome job by helping feed the young people in the area.
Next, Bladen County Library Director, Kelsey Edwards, announced, “We’ve been trying to promote our available e-resources.”
The library has free online tutoring and job search services with BrainFuse. Bladen County Library cardholders may take advantage of the live tutoring services for grades Kindergarten through 12. The live tutoring services are offered from 2 pm until 11 pm on the Bladen County Library’s website.Also, the library offers “BrainFuse” job search tools on their website. Library cards are needed to take advantage of free online tools. Temporary library cards are available on the library’s website.
Dr. Cathy Gantz, Bladen County Substance Abuse Task Force Director, was excited to announce some progress the local group has made.
Dr. Gantz said, “At this point in time, we have joined forces with the North Carolina ABC Coalition. We are on the map!”
The coalition has started the “Talk It Out” campaign. View a video from the campaign on YouTube, click now.
An Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group in Bladen County, Dr. Gantz, reported that it has met for four years at Open Door Ministries. The group meets Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7 p.m. at 2704 East Broad Street, Elizabethtown.
The task force has also started a billboard campaign to help people with addictions. Dr. Gantz explained the task force is to refer those with addiction issues to Eastpointe and Celebrate Recovery.
Lastly, Dr. Gantz announced August 31, 2020 is National Overdose Awareness Day. The task force will promote the day with a video.
Tocarra Osborne with Innovative Approaches was next on the agenda. The local collaborative has met virtually every month to help individuals and families with mental health, intellectual developmental disabilities, and substance abuse issues. Osborne explained the group is promoting self-advocacy. The North Carolina Innovative Approaches (IA) initiative works with families of children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) and other community leaders to make system changes in the state’s healthcare system. Find Innovative Approaches on Facebook to find out more, click now.
Stacie Kinlaw and Krista Johnson with NC Cooperative Extension explained even though they have been unable to have face to face time with the youth this summer, they have been busy. There was a Farm to Fork virtual camp for Bladen County. Kinlaw also announced one Bladen County 4-H student won first place in the state competition for public speaking.
Johnson explained that 1,700 food card decks were delivered and distributed throughout the county by partnering with Smart Start, Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies. She also announced a weekly video her department is publishing titled, “Tasty Tuesday at Home Edition.”
Also, 4H Life Skills is available at the NC Cooperative Extension in Bladen County. The program director, Elizabeth Blanks, offers the program training parents with parenting classes and the whole family with life skills. Anyone interested in Blanks’ program may visit 450 Smith Circle Drive, Elizabethtown. Call for an appointment 910-862-4591 ext. 7860.
Kinlaw also reported United Way of Bladen County has been working to help people during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The local non-profit donated $1,200 to Bladen Crisis and is currently seeking a grant to help people in need due to the Pandemic.
Tracy Priest with Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital reported the hospital is doing a good job with COVID-19, testing and practicing the three W’s.
In addition to the COVID-19 update, Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital is preparing for Sepsis Awareness Month, which is held in September. The hospital is certified in treating sepsis. According to the CDC, sepsis is a serious illness that can develop when the body’s normal reaction to fight an infection goes awry and can quickly become life-threatening. The body’s immune system releases chemicals into the blood to fight infections but sometimes those chemicals can cause inflammation, which can lead to blood clots and organ damage. In severe cases, sepsis can weaken the heart, shut down other organs, and may lead to death. Early recognition of patients with possible sepsis is critical for preventing severe outcomes.
With Bladen County Parks and Recreation, Morgan King announced her department might offer some sports in the fall. As soon as the decisions are made, King said she would make the announcement.
Tillie Clark also addressed oral health. She explained she is working with assisted living facilities, school nurses, and other health care officials for early oral health education.
Dr. Duncan introduced Soni Melvin, the new Bladen County Health Coordinator, Tiffany Pait, RN, with the Bladen County Health Department. The local health and human services agency has been very busy with COVID-19 but has not stopped regular services during the Pandemic, according to the health officials.
Pait announced the health agency will extend their hours in September and October. The agency will be open until 6:30 p.m. to provide immunizations, family planning services, and lab work.
Dr. Duncan reminded those in attendance that August is Immunization Awareness Month.
Pait also announced a flu shot drive will be conducted at the health agency located at 300 Mercer Mill Road in Elizabethtown. The first flu shot drive will be held October 16 in the morning hours and the second flu shot drive will be conducted 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on October 20.
Dr. Duncan added a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines may be available for high-risk residents in November of this year, and then a larger number of vaccines may be provided in the spring of 2021. More information will be published as soon as it becomes available.
Dr. Duncan also encouraged those in attendance to work with the Center for Healthy Communities for a tri-county COVID-19 messaging collaboration with Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson counties.
The next Healthy Bladen Collaborative meeting will be held in September.
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