Partnerships key to solving problems
Partnerships key to solving problems
Health care improved when groups collaborate
The best way to meet community needs is to form partnerships, says Teri Muse, area director for public affairs for San Gabriel Valley Kaiser Permanente in Baldwin Park, CA. "One entity alone cannot solve community problems. We can be an integral part of the success of a program, but the community has to take ownership and support the effort to address the need," she says.
There are many collaborative ways to address the health education needs of the underserved in a community. Following are several suggestions that have worked for health care facilities in the San Gabriel Valley:
· Community garden project.
There is a high incidence of heart disease and diabetes within the community surrounding San Gabriel Valley Kaiser, and in most instances these diseases are linked to diet. "We decided that one way we could improve the health and nutrition of the community is to show them a way to garden and to introduce more vegetables into their diet," says Muse.
Kaiser turned a plot of land near the medical center into a community garden. Local businesses donated seeds, plants, and gardening equipment. Students from the high school volunteered to help with the planting and upkeep, and a member of the Los Angeles Conservation Corp coordinated the project.
To find people interested in a garden plot, Kaiser placed ads in the local newspaper. Flyers also were distributed to churches, schools, and the local community center. On planting day, the garden coordinator showed people which vegetables could be planted together and how much sunlight and water the plants would need.
During the next growing season, Kaiser hopes to offer healthy cooking classes at the garden. Teaching people how to incorporate steamed and fresh vegetables into their diet will be part of the curriculum.
"In the future we hope to work more closely with the senior citizens and get them more involved in the garden. Some seniors don't have the means to purchase fresh vegetables, so we want more participation," says Muse.
· Teen pregnancy project.
In 1993, when an obstetrics unit was opened at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in San Gabriel, CA, one school district approached the hospital to ask for help with prenatal education and counseling. The hospital agreed, and selected a registered nurse to provide the educational component.
Since that time, the Teen Outreach Programs and Services (TOPS) project has expanded. The hospital partnered with a professional counseling service so the nurse could concentrate on teaching teens how to care for a baby.
"If you don't give support services to pregnant teens, their frustration level after they have had the baby can rise to the point where they have a difficult time coping," says Eileen Diamond, MBA, director of business development at the medical center. "When new mothers have trouble coping, it can lead to a greater incidence of child abuse."
The hospital has partnered with several school districts, and provides pregnancy prevention education as well to both junior high and high school students. To help in this area, the hospital obtained grant money to create a library of resources the schools can borrow. Materials include videos, games, graphics, and two dolls designed to teach teens what it is like to have a baby.
During the summer months, when schools are closed, teens can attend a six-week program at the medical center. It consists of a series of three-hour classes held once a week. Professionals, such as a dentist and pediatrician, are invited to speak and the teens participate in class activities, such as cooking a nutritious meal.
This year, the Soroptimist chapter Diamond belongs to had a chance to write a grant for a community service project through the Soroptimist Foundation. They created a mentor program for teen mothers to complement the TOPS program.
In its inauguration run, seven girls received internships provided by local businesses. Members of the Soroptimist Club volunteered as mentors to the young mothers and hospital staff conducted workshops. The workshops included information on resume writing, career opportunities, how to find day care, and balancing family life and work. When the teens completed the three-month program, they received a small stipend.
"We find that once these girls have the baby, there aren't many opportunities for them. We figured that if we could give them an internship, a real-life experience on the job, that would launch a career for them," says Diamond.
· Partnership nursing project.
To promote wellness and prevention, Citrus Valley Health Partners in West Covina, CA, is partnering with religious congregations and community organizations such as senior centers in on-site nursing programs.
The health care facility connects interested parties with a nurse who agrees to volunteer one to 12 hours a week to provide health services. The partnership nurses provide education along with such activities as blood pressure screenings, osteoporosis screenings, and breast self-exam classes. Activities take place after church or during scheduled events to make it easy for people to attend.
To determine what kind of health services a congregation or organization needs, nurses conduct a written and one-on-one health assessment. A health cabinet established by members of the organization helps nurses build the program infrastructure.
"A lot of the activity is along the lines of prevention and education, early awareness, and trying to treat or make individuals aware of potential health risks or health conditions they may have while they are still in a very early, treatable stage," says Dawn Cooper, BSN, RN, director of program development at Citrus Valley Health Partners.
When congregations or organizations become involved in Partnership Nursing, they are given automatic blood pressure cuffs, scales, and a comprehensive resource directory that lists services available throughout the community. In addition, Citrus Valley has held a variety of seminars that address such health-related problems as AIDS and homelessness.
Nurses involved in start-up projects get some of the educational materials they distribute from Citrus Valley. However, they are made aware of resources available in the community. "We want to make them as independent as possible. We don't always want them to look to us to provide everything to them," says Cooper.
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