MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health accepted two significant grants Wednesday related to its mental health and substance abuse disorder counseling and related services, and for expanding medical services through the county Health Department’s Community Health Center, which was recently given full accreditation.
The Knox County Health Department was one of 43 health centers and clinics statewide to receive a combined $7.18 million in grants in Fiscal Year 2019 from the state’s Integrated Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) Awards. The Knox County Health Department received an IBHS grant of $167,000 awarded Aug. 1, as did each of the 42 other health centers and clinics. It will be used toward expansion of quality substance abuse disorder services and mental health services.
The $30,000 award will support Uniform Data Set reporting, which keeps systematic records of all health center services provided. Belangia said the grant was also given because HRSA recognizes the community health center is serving multiple functions: increasing patient access to quality healthcare; decreasing health disparities by providing medical and dental services to those most in need of care; and using best practices for keeping health information technology data. As the community health center’s number of patients served continues to grow, so should its grant awards, Belangia said.
In other action Wednesday, the board of health:
•Heard a report from county Health Commissioner Julie Miller concerning a national shortage at present for Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests. The Health Department will be receiving 30 doses, she said, which will have to meet demand for now.
•Increased the contracted amount to CB Practice Solutions, operated by Christina Brucklemyer, an additional $10,000 for a total of $15,000 from Sept. 1 through May 22, 2020. She is providing numerous services to the county health department involving medical record upgrades including enhanced electronic identification, reports linked to specific data sets, and improved templates for patient records.
•Approved the full-time hiring of Jessica West, an extended function dental assistant (EFDA), to work in the dental clinic. She can finish filling cavities while the dentist is prepping other teeth, Belangia said.
•Approved an agreement between the Union County General Health District and the Knox County Health Department to implement a naxalone integration and distribution program. The program involves a base fee of $8,000 and Narcan distribution at $30 per kit up to $2,250. Miller said the kits can be accessed at no cost for those who feel they may have or know those with opioid issues. What the Narcan kits involve is a nasal spray that once injected into the nostrils of someone who has overdosed on opioids, can potentially save a life.
