The Healthy Bladen Collaborative met last week on August 27th to discuss the latests news and updates about the health and opportunities in Bladen County. Travis Greer, chairman of the group and the new Bladen County Health Educator led the discussions.
“The Bladen County Health Assessment is approved and we are working on an action plan now,” Mr. Greer announced.
The assessment was submitted on May 2nd of this year. According to Greer the priority areas for Bladen County are substance abuse, nutrition, physical activity, weight, and maternal, infant and fetal health.
Monique Travise and Dr. Teresa Duncan with the health and human services department attended the Accreditation Board meeting in May and received accreditation with honors and a plaque, according to Greer’s report. The accreditation will cover the county from 2019 through 2023.
Healthy Bladen Kids Recreation Program offered nutrition and physical activity for children from ages 6 years to 14 years of age. The program was offered at five different sites throughout the county this summer. The program was successful according to the report.
During the round robin portion of the meeting, Bladen County Library Director, Kelsey Edwards gave an update on the 2020 Census. “For every person not counted in Bladen County we could lose about $1,650 in federal funding for each person every year for the next 10 years. That means we could potentially lose $16,500 in funding for each person not counted in the 2020 Census,” Edwards explained. The funding the Census generators is for much needed services in this County over the next decade.
Edwards also announced the library had access to the StarLab an inflatable, portable planetarium to inspire students to engage in a better understanding of the world.
Edwards said the lab is a dome shaped inflatable. Students can gain knowledge about astronomy, geology, physical geography, and more. Emereau:Bladen was the only school Edwards had scheduled for the StarLab, but said a Bladen County Schools representative was suppose to be setting up appointments for the StarLab as well.
April L. Oxendine, Innovative Approaches Initiative Coordinator reminded those in attendance of the support needed for special needs students. Some ways the initiative has assisted students with special needs is with a sensory area at the Bladen County Library, a partnership made with Eastpointe to provide more assistance for people with intellectual delays, and a partnership with Bladen County Commissioners to have at least one county park fenced in for children. The group will meet again on November 12th at 10:15 a.m. at the Bladen County Public Library in Elizabethtown, according to Ms. Oxendine.
Amber Sholar, the new case manager for the OB program said the OBCM (Obstetric Care Management) program at the Bladen County Health Department was the only one of its kind in Bladen. Amber explained the services are offered to every pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes, smokes, is homeless and/or is currently taking drugs or substances. Mrs. Sholar links expectant mothers with needed services and follows up with the mother’s after the child’s birth.
Ernest Watts, Regional Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator announced e-cigarettes have been linked to 193 illnesses. The CDC has more restrictions on the electronic devices due to the increase in illnesses, according to Watts.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), e-cigarettes are one of a class of tobacco products which are battery-powered devices that provide dose of nicotine and other additives to the user in an aerosol, often referred to as vapor. There are many types of these products available in the United States, including e-cigarettes, e-hookah pens, vape pens, e-cigars and others. Some are disposable and others can be refilled or recharged for repeat use.
North Carolina along with some other states and local governments has decided to extend its tobacco sale to minor laws to include e-cigarettes. NC has also placed a tax on the consumable nicotine solution used in e-cigarettes (often called juice).
Charles Ray Peterson, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners stated there is an Opioid Task Force in the county that meets every month. Currently the task force is working toward collecting surveys and holding community forums to better serve the community. You may find the link here: http://app.
Anyone needing further information about the Healthy Collaborative may contact Travis Greer at the Bladen County Health Department.
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